Merrick County, Nebraska
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 76/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Across all 7 ZIP codes in Merrick County, tap water consistently meets or exceeds federal safety standards.
How Merrick County Compares
How Merrick County Compares
Merrick County scores 11 points above the Nebraska state average (65/100) and 8 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Merrick County, Nebraska
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.6 (asthma 9.2%, diabetes 11.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,166, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.41% avg pipe failure probability, 57% of ZIPs at high risk
75.7% 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: $1,166
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
14,399 housing units in Merrick 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 Merrick County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Merrick 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 Merrick 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 Merrick County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silver Creek, Village of | 449 | 0 |
| 2 | City of Grand Island, | 51,478 | 0 |
| 3 | PALMER, VILLAGE OF | 472 | 0 |
| 4 | City of Central City, | 3,000 | 0 |
| 5 | Chapman, Village of | 292 | 0 |
All ZIP Codes in Merrick County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Merrick County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68663 | Silver Creek | 83 | B | 0 | $200K |
| 2 | 68826 | Central City | 83 | B | 0 | $170K |
| 3 | 68827 | Chapman | 83 | B | 0 | — |
| 4 | 68864 | Palmer | 83 | B | 0 | $135K |
| 5 | 68803 | Grand Island | 73 | B | 0 | $224K |
| 6 | 68816 | Archer | 63 | C | 0 | $173K |
| 7 | 68872 | Saint Libory | 63 | C | 0 | $221K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Merrick County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 75.7% of homes built before 1978
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Merrick County, Nebraska
Overview
Merrick County in Nebraska covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (76/100).
No EPA violations recorded across any tracked ZIP codes in Merrick County.
← 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.