Bedford County, Tennessee
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 55/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike top-rated counties, Bedford County's 8 ZIP codes carry a fair number of documented violations — chlorine compliance and disinfection byproduct limits are the categories most often cited in recent data.
How Bedford County Compares
How Bedford County Compares
Bedford County scores 14 points below the Tennessee state average (69/100) and 13 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Bedford County, Tennessee
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.5 (asthma 10.9%, diabetes 12.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $490, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.283% avg pipe failure probability
35.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2023)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Bedford County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 28 violations. Past 5 years: 62 total (41 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: $490
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
21,743 housing units in Bedford 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 Bedford County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Bedford 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 Bedford 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 Bedford County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bedford County U.d. | 22,908 | 33 |
| 2 | Shelbyville Water System | 34,772 | 31 |
| 3 | Shelbyville Flat Creek W.s. | 620 | 31 |
| 4 | BELL BUCKLE WATER SYSTEM | 2,633 | 13 |
| 5 | Wartrace Water System | 3,983 | 13 |
11 total water systems serve Bedford County.
All ZIP Codes in Bedford County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Bedford County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 37020 | Bell Buckle | 69 | C | 2 (1 health) | $303K |
| 2 | 37183 | Wartrace | 68 | C | 1 | $205K |
| 3 | 37161 | Shelbyville | 62 | C | 10 (8 health) | — |
| 4 | 37160 | Shelbyville | 57 | C | 10 (8 health) | $258K |
| 5 | 37162 | Shelbyville | 56 | C | 10 (8 health) | — |
| 6 | 37037 | Christiana | 45 | D | 0 | $351K |
| 7 | 37018 | Beechgrove | 40 | D | 0 | $211K |
| 8 | 37063 | Fosterville | 40 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Bedford County
Editorial methodology pairs each documented risk in this county with the buyer category that addresses it, drawing on water-quality detections, housing-stock lead exposure, EPA Radon Zone designation, and FEMA flood and wildfire ratings. NSF-certified options surface where applicable, and products that match the specific contaminant take priority.
- 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
- 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 Bedford County, Tennessee
Overview
Bedford County in Tennessee covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (55/100).
5 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 25 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Tennessee 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.