Howard County, Nebraska
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 77/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent assessments, Howard County's 5 ZIP codes record strong, consistent water safety outcomes.
How Howard County Compares
How Howard County Compares
Howard County scores 12 points above the Nebraska state average (65/100) and 9 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Howard County, Nebraska
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.5 (asthma 9.1%, diabetes 11.5%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $990, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.398% avg pipe failure probability, 20% of ZIPs at high risk
72% 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: $990
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
2,447 housing units in Howard 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 Howard County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Howard 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 Howard 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 Howard County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elba, Village of | 211 | 1 |
| 2 | Farwell, Village of | 124 | 1 |
| 3 | Boelus, Village of | 189 | 0 |
| 4 | Dannebrog, Village of | 309 | 0 |
All ZIP Codes in Howard County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Howard County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68820 | Boelus | 83 | B | 0 | $111K |
| 2 | 68835 | Elba | 81 | B | 1 | $120K |
| 3 | 68838 | Farwell | 81 | B | 1 | $275K |
| 4 | 68831 | Dannebrog | 78 | B | 0 | $172K |
| 5 | 68873 | Saint Paul | 63 | C | 0 | $209K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Howard County
Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 72% of homes built before 1978
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Howard County, Nebraska
Overview
Howard County in Nebraska covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (77/100).
2 of 5 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← 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.