Dawes County, Nebraska
3 ZIP codes · Avg score 71/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to state averages, Dawes County scores well — its 3 ZIP codes sit above the baseline for tap water quality.
How Dawes County Compares
How Dawes County Compares
Dawes County scores 6 points above the Nebraska state average (65/100) and 3 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 12.2 (asthma 9.4%, diabetes 10.6%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,157, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.517% avg pipe failure probability, 67% of ZIPs at high risk
81% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Dawes County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 6 violations. Past 5 years: 17 total (17 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,157
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
3,973 housing units in Dawes County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Dawes County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Dawes County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Dawes County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Dawes County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Chadron, | 6,257 | 19 |
| 2 | Pine Ridge Job Corps | 250 | 19 |
| 3 | Eagles Nest Estates | 52 | 19 |
| 4 | Dawes Company Rwd 1 | 59 | 15 |
| 5 | Whitney, Village of | 57 | 15 |
6 total water systems serve Dawes County.
All ZIP Codes in Dawes County
3 ZIP codes tracked in Dawes County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 69339 | Crawford | 83 | B | 0 | $87K |
| 2 | 69367 | Whitney | 81 | B | 15 (2 health) | — |
| 3 | 69337 | Chadron | 50 | D | 19 (17 health) | $161K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Dawes County
Filtered against EPA monitoring data and CDC lead-exposure guidance, the guides below skip the generic catalog and connect directly to the contaminants and hazards on file here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 81% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Overview
Dawes County in Nebraska covers 3 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (71/100).
2 of 3 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 19 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Nebraska water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.