COUNTY REPORT TN

Fentress County, Tennessee

7 ZIP codes · Avg score 62/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Current EPA records place Fentress County in the middle tier for drinking water safety, with 7 ZIP codes showing a range of outcomes.

How Fentress County Compares

Fentress County62/100
Tennessee avg69/100
National avg68/100

How Fentress County Compares

C
County Grade
62/100
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
5
Water Systems

Fentress County scores 7 points below the Tennessee state average (69/100) and 6 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

C
County Grade
62
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 38504 (83/100)
Lowest ZIP: 38565 (53/100)
$147K
Median Home Value
$957
Avg Remediation (65% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Fentress County, Tennessee

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: 17.2 (asthma 11.2%, diabetes 16%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $373, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.269% avg pipe failure probability, 14% of ZIPs at high risk

40.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2022–2025)

→ Stable trend

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

2022
2 (2 health)
2024
9 (9 health)
2025
1 (1 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 9 violations. Past 5 years: 12 total (12 health-based).

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 11.2% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 16% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 44% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1993
Median Build Year
40.3%
Pre-1978 Housing
27%
Pipe Failure Probability
14%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
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: $373

Energy Code Gap $244/yr
Water / Lead $100/yr
Flood $29/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

9,115 housing units in Fentress County

Pre-1940 4%
1940–1959 8%
1960–1979 24%
1980–1999 37%
2000+ 26%

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 Fentress County

$147K
Median Home Value
$957
Est. Remediation Cost
0.6%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 11.2% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 16% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 44% (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 Fentress County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 ALLARDT WATER WORKS 4,058 9
2 Fentress County U.d. 16,845 9
3 Jamestown Water Department 3,078 9
4 Byrdstown Water Department 8,428 9
5 Huntsville Utility District 12,516 0

All ZIP Codes in Fentress County

7 ZIP codes tracked in Fentress County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 38504 Allardt 83 B 0
2 38556 Jamestown 78 B 9 (4 health) $147K
3 37872 Sunbright 63 C 0 $120K
4 37726 Deer Lodge 53 D 0 $167K
5 37732 Elgin 53 D 0
6 37733 Rugby 53 D 0
7 38565 Grimsley 53 D 0

Recommended Buyer Guides for Fentress County

Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.

Overview

Fentress County in Tennessee covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (62/100).

1 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Tennessee water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Fentress County?
Fentress 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 Fentress County?
Fentress County is served by 5 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 7 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Fentress County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Fentress County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $373 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Fentress County?
The median home build year in Fentress County is 1993. 40.3% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Fentress County compare to Tennessee?
Fentress County has an average water safety score of 62/100, which is below the Tennessee state average of 69/100.

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