COUNTY REPORT NE

Thurston County, Nebraska

2 ZIP codes · Avg score 47/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03

Of 2 ZIP codes in Thurston County, a meaningful portion have recorded health-based violations in recent monitoring periods — placing the county in the lower tier for water safety.

How Thurston County Compares

Thurston County47/100
Nebraska avg65/100
National avg68/100

How Thurston County Compares

D
County Grade
47/100
Avg Safety Score
2
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems

Thurston County scores 18 points below the Nebraska state average (65/100) and 21 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

D
County Grade
47
Avg Safety Score
2
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 68039 (53/100)
Lowest ZIP: 68067 (40/100)
$55K
Median Home Value
$1,800
Avg Remediation (327% of home value)

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 13.2 (asthma 10%, diabetes 11.6%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,032, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.38% avg pipe failure probability, 50% of ZIPs at high risk

73.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11.6% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 41.1% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1968
Median Build Year
73.5%
Pre-1978 Housing
38%
Pipe Failure Probability
50%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,032

Energy Code Gap $540/yr
Water / Lead $275/yr
Flood $100/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

658 housing units in Thurston County

Pre-1940 19%
1940–1959 11%
1960–1979 35%
1980–1999 25%
2000+ 10%

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 Thurston County

$55K
Median Home Value
$1,800
Est. Remediation Cost
3.3%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value moderate burden

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 Thurston County residents

Asthma 10% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11.6% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 41.1% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

All ZIP Codes in Thurston County

2 ZIP codes tracked in Thurston County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 68039 Macy 53 D 0
2 68067 Walthill 40 D 0 $55K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Thurston County

If FEMA records flag flood-top-risk status or EPA samples show PFAS exceedances, the matching logic lifts emergency-water and PFAS-rated filtration into the recommendations — federal data drives the order, not retailer arrangements.

Overview

Thurston County in Nebraska covers 2 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (47/100).

No EPA violations recorded across any tracked ZIP codes in Thurston County.

← Back to Nebraska water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

What You Can Do

Thurston County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.

1

Test your tap water

Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.

2

Consider a certified water filter

NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher

3

Contact your water utility

Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.

4

Check for lead in your home

73.5% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Thurston County?
Thurston County receives a grade of D. 0 of 2 ZIP codes have health-based violations. Independent water testing is recommended.
How many water systems serve Thurston County?
Thurston County is served by 1 public water system that supplies drinking water to residents across 2 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Thurston County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Thurston County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,032 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Thurston County?
The median home build year in Thurston County is 1968. 73.5% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Thurston County compare to Nebraska?
Thurston County has an average water safety score of 47/100, which is below the Nebraska state average of 65/100.

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