COUNTY REPORT SD

Brown County, South Dakota

14 ZIP codes · Avg score 60/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04

For most households in Brown County, the 14 tracked ZIP codes show adequate but uneven water quality.

How Brown County Compares

Brown County60/100
South Dakota avg60/100
National avg68/100

How Brown County Compares

C
County Grade
60/100
Avg Safety Score
14
ZIP Codes
15
Water Systems

Brown County scores 0 points above the South Dakota state average (60/100) and 8 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04

C
County Grade
60
Avg Safety Score
14
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 57427 (70/100)
Lowest ZIP: 57426 (40/100)
$216K
Median Home Value
$2,600
Avg Remediation (120% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Brown County, South Dakota

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 12.5 (asthma 9.7%, diabetes 11.2%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $902, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.407% avg pipe failure probability, 57% of ZIPs at high risk

71.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2022–2025)

↑ Worsening trend

EPA violation counts by year across Brown County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2022
3 (3 health)
2023
4 (4 health)
2024
8 (8 health)
2025
3 (3 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 18 total (18 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

Asthma 9.7% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11.2% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 35.1% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1973
Median Build Year
71.6%
Pre-1978 Housing
41%
Pipe Failure Probability
57%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
High
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $902

Flood $486/yr
Water / Lead $243/yr
Energy Code Gap $174/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

17,999 housing units in Brown County

Pre-1940 20%
1940–1959 14%
1960–1979 27%
1980–1999 18%
2000+ 21%

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 Brown County

$216K
Median Home Value
$2,600
Est. Remediation Cost
1.2%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Brown 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 Brown County residents

Asthma 9.7% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11.2% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 35.1% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Brown County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Web Water Development Association 20,750 24
2 Aberdeen 27,989 16
3 Mina Lake Sanitary District 863 16
4 Lakeside Estates 460 16
5 Country Village Park 340 16

15 total water systems serve Brown County.

All ZIP Codes in Brown County

14 ZIP codes tracked in Brown County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 57427 Bath 70 B 0 $384K
2 57441 Frederick 70 B 0 $116K
3 57479 Warner 70 B 0 $230K
4 57434 Conde 69 C 3 (1 health)
5 57446 Hecla 69 C 1 (1 health)
6 57474 Stratford 67 C 3 $216K
7 57402 Aberdeen 64 C 8 (6 health)
8 57445 Groton 63 C 1 $185K
9 57481 Westport 55 C 0 $201K
10 57433 Columbia 53 D 0
11 57439 Ferney 53 D 0
12 57449 Houghton 53 D 0
13 57401 Aberdeen 49 D 8 (6 health) $216K
14 57426 Barnard 40 D 0 $257K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Brown County

While many sites publish identical guide lists across every county they cover, the selection here changes by location — driven by the EPA, NSF, FEMA, and CDC datasets that describe the actual conditions documented for this jurisdiction in the federal record.

Overview

Brown County in South Dakota covers 14 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (60/100).

6 of 14 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 14 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to South Dakota water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Brown County?
Brown County receives a grade of C. Some ZIP codes have recorded violations and residents in affected areas may want to test their water.
How many water systems serve Brown County?
Brown County is served by 15 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 14 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Brown County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Brown County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $902 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Brown County?
The median home build year in Brown County is 1973. 71.6% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Brown County compare to South Dakota?
Brown County has an average water safety score of 60/100, which is above the South Dakota state average of 60/100.

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