Polk County, Nebraska
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 66/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Although much of Polk County meets baseline standards, some of its 5 ZIP codes show violations that merit closer attention.
How Polk County Compares
How Polk County Compares
Polk County scores 1 points above the Nebraska state average (65/100) and 2 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Polk County, Nebraska
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.7 (asthma 9%, diabetes 12%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,140, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.462% avg pipe failure probability, 80% of ZIPs at high risk
82.2% 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: $1,140
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
2,490 housing units in Polk 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 Polk County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clarks, Village of | 369 | 0 |
| 2 | Bay Meadows Trailer Court | 36 | 0 |
| 3 | City of Osceola, | 875 | 0 |
| 4 | Polk, Village of | 346 | 0 |
| 5 | Shelby, Village of | 714 | 0 |
6 total water systems serve Polk County.
All ZIP Codes in Polk County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Polk County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68628 | Clarks | 70 | B | 0 | $155K |
| 2 | 68651 | Osceola | 70 | B | 0 | $183K |
| 3 | 68654 | Polk | 66 | C | 0 | $96K |
| 4 | 68662 | Shelby | 66 | C | 0 | $161K |
| 5 | 68666 | Stromsburg | 60 | C | 0 | $183K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Polk County
Strictly editorial — no paid placements influence which guides appear; the selection draws on NSF certifications and EPA detection records for water systems serving this county.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 82.2% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Polk County, Nebraska
Overview
Polk County in Nebraska covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (66/100).
No EPA violations recorded across any tracked ZIP codes in Polk 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.