Cherokee County, Oklahoma
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 63/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Cherokee County, safety data across 8 ZIP codes suggests a fair but uneven system — violations are present and worth checking at the ZIP level.
How Cherokee County Compares
How Cherokee County Compares
Cherokee County scores 16 points below the Oklahoma state average (79/100) and 5 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Cherokee County, Oklahoma
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.7 (asthma 12.8%, diabetes 14.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $686, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.374% avg pipe failure probability, 43% of ZIPs at high risk
47.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Cherokee County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 31 violations. Past 5 years: 85 total (85 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: $686
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
20,822 housing units in Cherokee 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 Cherokee County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cherokee Company Rwd #7 (welling) | 418 | 167 |
| 2 | TAHLEQUAH PWA | 14,458 | 133 |
| 3 | Stickross Mountain Water Company | 3,250 | 133 |
| 4 | Cherokee Company Rwd #2 (keys) | 1,493 | 107 |
| 5 | Burnt Cabin Rwd | 208 | 102 |
25 total water systems serve Cherokee County.
All ZIP Codes in Cherokee County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Cherokee County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 74441 | Hulbert | 75 | B | 5 (2 health) | $152K |
| 2 | 74471 | Welling | 73 | B | 5 | $120K |
| 3 | 74451 | Park Hill | 69 | C | 76 (5 health) | $152K |
| 4 | 74465 | Tahlequah | 69 | C | 26 (8 health) | — |
| 5 | 74464 | Tahlequah | 59 | C | 26 (8 health) | $170K |
| 6 | 74427 | Cookson | 54 | D | 60 (8 health) | $119K |
| 7 | 74444 | Moodys | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 8 | 74931 | Bunch | 53 | D | 0 | $116K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Cherokee County
Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.
- 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 Cherokee County, Oklahoma
Overview
Cherokee County in Oklahoma covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (63/100).
6 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 31 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.