Carter County, Oklahoma
18 ZIP codes · Avg score 72/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Homeowners across Carter County's 18 ZIP codes live with water safety scores that generally beat state and national averages.
How Carter County Compares
How Carter County Compares
Carter County scores 7 points below the Oklahoma state average (79/100) and 4 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Carter County, Oklahoma
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.9 (asthma 11.7%, diabetes 13.8%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $754, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.374% avg pipe failure probability, 17% of ZIPs at high risk
60.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Carter County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 79 violations. Past 5 years: 248 total (248 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
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $754
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
23,044 housing units in Carter 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 Carter County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Carter 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 Carter 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 Carter County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Okla Water Corporation | 11,250 | 414 |
| 2 | Ardmore | 24,893 | 410 |
| 3 | Golden Oaks Home Owners Assn | 135 | 405 |
| 4 | Jefferson Company Cons Rwd #1 | 8,398 | 104 |
| 5 | Lone Grove | 4,863 | 86 |
14 total water systems serve Carter County.
All ZIP Codes in Carter County
18 ZIP codes tracked in Carter County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 73456 | Ringling | 94 | A | 3 (1 health) | $102K |
| 2 | 73463 | Wilson | 94 | A | 4 (1 health) | $108K |
| 3 | 73438 | Healdton | 90 | A | 0 | $71K |
| 4 | 73443 | Lone Grove | 88 | A | 5 (1 health) | $181K |
| 5 | 73481 | Ratliff City | 70 | B | 16 (13 health) | $70K |
| 6 | 73402 | Ardmore | 66 | C | 81 (24 health) | — |
| 7 | 73403 | Ardmore | 66 | C | 81 (24 health) | — |
| 8 | 73425 | Countyline | 66 | C | 0 | $339K |
| 9 | 73435 | Fox | 66 | C | 0 | $110K |
| 10 | 73437 | Graham | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 11 | 73444 | Hennepin | 66 | C | 14 (13 health) | $125K |
| 12 | 73451 | Ardmore | 66 | C | 81 (24 health) | — |
| 13 | 73453 | Overbrook | 66 | C | 0 | $258K |
| 14 | 73454 | Ardmore | 66 | C | 81 (24 health) | — |
| 15 | 73458 | Springer | 66 | C | 0 | $174K |
| 16 | 73487 | Tatums | 66 | C | 0 | $73K |
| 17 | 73488 | Tussy | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 18 | 73401 | Ardmore | 65 | C | 81 (24 health) | $175K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Carter 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 — 60.6% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best HEPA Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke — Wildfire is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Carter County, Oklahoma
Overview
Carter County in Oklahoma covers 18 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (72/100).
10 of 18 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 149 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Oklahoma 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.