Van Buren County, Tennessee
3 ZIP codes · Avg score 64/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Van Buren: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Spanning 3 ZIP codes, Van Buren County lands near the national median for water safety - compliance results are mixed, and the county's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability rather than a single systemic problem.
How Van Buren County Compares
How Van Buren County Compares
Van Buren County scores 5 points below the Tennessee state average (69/100) and 4 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 16.7 (asthma 11.2%, diabetes 15.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $737, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.43% avg pipe failure probability, 67% of ZIPs at high risk
46% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2024–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Van Buren County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 24 violations. Past 5 years: 45 total (45 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: $737
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
13,872 housing units in Van Buren 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 Van Buren County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Van Buren 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 Van Buren County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water systems serving Van Buren County
8 community water systems serving Van Buren County.
- B
- C
- B
- B
- B
- B
Show all 8 water systems
- B
- C
15 total water systems serve Van Buren County.
Systems with the most violations in Van Buren County
2 water systems with recorded EPA violations.
- C
- B
All ZIP Codes in Van Buren County
3 ZIP codes tracked in Van Buren County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38583 | Sparta | 81 | B | 2 | $199K |
| 2 | 38585 | Spencer | 58 | C | 12 (12 health) | $138K |
| 3 | 38579 | Quebeck | 53 | D | 0 | $220K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Van Buren County
Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Overview
Van Buren County in Tennessee covers 3 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (64/100).
2 of 3 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 12 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.