Defiance County, Ohio
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 65/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring counties, Defiance County's 8 ZIP codes land in the middle tier — some meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and the gap between the best and worst areas is wider than average.
How Defiance County Compares
How Defiance County Compares
Defiance County scores 5 points above the Ohio state average (60/100) and 3 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Defiance County, Ohio
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.9 (asthma 10.6%, diabetes 13.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,771, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.49% avg pipe failure probability, 86% of ZIPs at high risk
78.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Defiance County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 17 violations. Past 5 years: 24 total (24 health-based).
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
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,771
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
16,505 housing units in Defiance 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 Defiance County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Defiance 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 Defiance 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 Defiance County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SHERWOOD VILLAGE | 854 | 23 |
| 2 | Defiance City | 16,494 | 18 |
| 3 | Ayersville Water and Sewer District | 1,660 | 18 |
| 4 | Brunersburg Water District - Brunersburg | 500 | 18 |
| 5 | Christi Water System Inc. | 483 | 18 |
9 total water systems serve Defiance County.
All ZIP Codes in Defiance County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Defiance County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 43556 | Sherwood | 83 | B | 1 | $164K |
| 2 | 43549 | Ney | 82 | B | 5 (1 health) | $171K |
| 3 | 43526 | Hicksville | 77 | B | 4 | $152K |
| 4 | 43519 | Evansport | 63 | C | 0 | $113K |
| 5 | 43520 | Farmer | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 6 | 43530 | Jewell | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 7 | 43536 | Mark Center | 53 | D | 0 | $109K |
| 8 | 43512 | Defiance | 52 | D | 18 (16 health) | $149K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Defiance 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.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 78.1% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Defiance County, Ohio
Overview
Defiance County in Ohio covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (65/100).
4 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 17 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Ohio 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.