Holmes County, Ohio
16 ZIP codes · Avg score 54/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Holmes County's 16 ZIP codes, EPA data shows a below-average compliance pattern — health-based violations are documented in several areas, and independent testing is a reasonable step for concerned households.
How Holmes County Compares
How Holmes County Compares
Holmes County scores 6 points below the Ohio state average (60/100) and 14 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Holmes County, Ohio
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15 (asthma 11.9%, diabetes 12.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,364, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.399% avg pipe failure probability, 53% of ZIPs at high risk
67.7% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Holmes County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 9 violations. Past 5 years: 14 total (14 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: $1,364
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
15,565 housing units in Holmes 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 Holmes County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Holmes 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 Holmes 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 Holmes County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winesburg Area Development Corporation | 1,575 | 18 |
| 2 | Walnut Creek Water Company | 1,270 | 12 |
| 3 | Sugarcreek Village Public Water System | 2,220 | 9 |
| 4 | Tcmsd-baltic Public Water System | 795 | 9 |
| 5 | Edgewood Terrace | 87 | 9 |
20 total water systems serve Holmes County.
All ZIP Codes in Holmes County
16 ZIP codes tracked in Holmes County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44628 | Glenmont | 66 | C | 3 (1 health) | $165K |
| 2 | 44687 | Walnut Creek | 65 | C | 3 (1 health) | $323K |
| 3 | 44690 | Winesburg | 65 | C | 9 (1 health) | — |
| 4 | 44654 | Millersburg | 64 | C | 0 | $288K |
| 5 | 44638 | Lakeville | 63 | C | 8 (1 health) | $169K |
| 6 | 44633 | Holmesville | 62 | C | 0 | $197K |
| 7 | 44610 | Berlin | 60 | C | 4 | — |
| 8 | 44681 | Sugarcreek | 59 | C | 9 (1 health) | $305K |
| 9 | 43805 | Blissfield | 53 | D | 0 | $139K |
| 10 | 44677 | Smithville | 53 | D | 0 | $196K |
| 11 | 44637 | Killbuck | 51 | D | 2 (1 health) | $164K |
| 12 | 44611 | Big Prairie | 49 | D | 4 (2 health) | $167K |
| 13 | 43006 | Brinkhaven | 40 | D | 0 | $116K |
| 14 | 44617 | Charm | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 15 | 44660 | Mount Hope | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 16 | 44661 | Nashville | 40 | D | 0 | $98K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Holmes County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 67.7% 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
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Holmes County, Ohio
Overview
Holmes County in Ohio covers 16 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (54/100).
8 of 16 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 8 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.
What You Can Do
Holmes 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
67.7% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.