Taos County, New Mexico
21 ZIP codes · Avg score 50/100 · Grade D · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Taos County: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Taos County's water safety record falls below average - health-based violations are on file in a notable share of the county's 21 ZIP codes, and several systems have recorded exceedances that trigger federal notification requirements.
How Taos County Compares
How Taos County Compares
Taos County scores 15 points below the New Mexico state average (65/100) and 23 points below the national average (73/100).
Data: ZipCheckup Home Safety Score model 4.0.0; EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, EPA radon zones, EPA AirData Last verified:
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Taos County, New Mexico
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.1 (asthma 9.4%, diabetes 15.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,591, driven primarily by wildfire
56.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Taos County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 29 violations. Past 5 years: 34 total (34 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window - worth closer monitoring.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Modeled area-level indicator, not a failure probability. Sources: Census ACS housing age, EPA DWINS infrastructure needs, EPA SDWIS violations, and EPA lead indicators.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,591
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
21,704 housing units in Taos 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 Taos County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Taos 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 Taos County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water systems serving Taos County
8 community water systems serving Taos County.
- D
- D
Show all 8 water systems
16 total water systems serve Taos County.
Systems with the most violations in Taos County
5 water systems with recorded EPA violations.
- D
- D
- D
All ZIP Codes in Taos County
21 ZIP codes tracked in Taos County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 87571 | Taos | 50 | D | 61 (22 health) | $417K |
| 2 | 87512 | Amalia | — | — | — | |
| 3 | 87513 | Arroyo Hondo | — | — | 20 (2 health) | $403K |
| 4 | 87514 | Arroyo Seco | — | — | 25 (2 health) | $521K |
| 5 | 87517 | Carson | — | — | — | |
| 6 | 87519 | Cerro | — | — | $416K | |
| 7 | 87521 | Chamisal | — | — | 43 (13 health) | $189K |
| 8 | 87524 | Costilla | — | — | — | |
| 9 | 87525 | Taos Ski Valley | — | — | 26 (2 health) | — |
| 10 | 87529 | El Prado | — | — | 10 (2 health) | $394K |
| 11 | 87543 | Llano | — | — | — | |
| 12 | 87549 | Ojo Caliente | — | — | 14 | $257K |
| 13 | 87553 | Penasco | — | — | 17 | $200K |
| 14 | 87556 | Questa | — | — | $227K | |
| 15 | 87557 | Ranchos De Taos | — | — | 23 (18 health) | $373K |
| 16 | 87558 | Red River | — | — | $430K | |
| 17 | 87564 | San Cristobal | — | — | — | |
| 18 | 87576 | Trampas | — | — | — | |
| 19 | 87577 | Tres Piedras | — | — | $329K | |
| 20 | 87579 | Vadito | — | — | 17 | $125K |
| 21 | 87580 | Valdez | — | — | 25 (2 health) | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Taos County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 56.1% 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
- Best HEPA Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke — Wildfire is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Taos County, New Mexico
Overview
Taos County in New Mexico covers 21 tracked ZIP records with an average Home Safety Score of D (50/100) across 1 scored records.
11 of 11 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record have recorded EPA violations. 35 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
← Back to New Mexico Home Safety Profile
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- PFAS screening: EPA UCMR 5
- Radon zones: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Air quality: EPA AirData annual AQI
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
What You Can Do
Taos County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
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.
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
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.
Check for lead in your home
56.1% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.