Hitchcock County, Nebraska
4 ZIP codes · Avg score 57/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
Water monitoring across Hitchcock County's 4 ZIP codes paints a mid-range picture — solid compliance in some zones, documented concerns in others; most violations on record are concentrated in specific prior years rather than spread evenly across the full compliance history, and the overall county grade has held steady in the middle tier without major shifts in either direction.
How Hitchcock County Compares
How Hitchcock County Compares
Hitchcock County scores 8 points below the Nebraska state average (65/100) and 11 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.8 (asthma 9.3%, diabetes 13.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $878, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.46% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
89.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
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: $878
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
1,720 housing units in Hitchcock 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 Hitchcock County
Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.
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 Hitchcock County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 4 systems in Hitchcock County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trenton, Village of | 501 | 4 |
| 2 | Culbertson, Village of | 534 | 1 |
| 3 | Palisade, Village of | 294 | 0 |
| 4 | Stratton, Village of | 310 | 0 |
All ZIP Codes in Hitchcock County
4 ZIP codes tracked in Hitchcock County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 69040 | Palisade | 66 | C | 0 | $85K |
| 2 | 69024 | Culbertson | 65 | C | 1 (1 health) | $104K |
| 3 | 69044 | Trenton | 63 | C | 4 | $87K |
| 4 | 69043 | Stratton | 33 | F | 0 | $77K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Hitchcock County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 89.3% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Overview
Hitchcock County in Nebraska covers 4 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (57/100).
2 of 4 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation 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.