Cameron County, Texas
23 ZIP codes · Avg score 77/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Cameron County — spanning 23 ZIP codes — records above-average water quality outcomes; the county's compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards.
How Cameron County Compares
How Cameron County Compares
Cameron County scores 5 points below the Texas state average (82/100) and 9 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Cameron County, Texas
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.2 (asthma 8.7%, diabetes 18.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $3,667, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.307% avg pipe failure probability
45.7% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Cameron County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 43 violations. Past 5 years: 122 total (122 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: $3,667
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
156,024 housing units in Cameron 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 Cameron County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Cameron 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 Cameron 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 Cameron County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EAST RIO HONDO WSC | 24,756 | 97 |
| 2 | Harlingen Water Works System | 85,900 | 88 |
| 3 | City of Primera | 5,811 | 78 |
| 4 | Carefree Valley Resort | 600 | 60 |
| 5 | City of Rio Hondo | 2,640 | 47 |
22 total water systems serve Cameron County.
All ZIP Codes in Cameron County
23 ZIP codes tracked in Cameron County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 78522 | Brownsville | 92 | A | 4 | — |
| 2 | 78523 | Brownsville | 92 | A | 4 | — |
| 3 | 78547 | Garciasville | 91 | A | 3 (1 health) | — |
| 4 | 78553 | Harlingen | 91 | A | 15 (1 health) | — |
| 5 | 78575 | Olmito | 89 | A | 1 (1 health) | $220K |
| 6 | 78551 | Harlingen | 86 | A | 15 (1 health) | — |
| 7 | 78526 | Brownsville | 82 | B | 4 | $158K |
| 8 | 78578 | Port Isabel | 80 | B | 0 | $194K |
| 9 | 78586 | San Benito | 80 | B | 0 | $83K |
| 10 | 78535 | Combes | 79 | B | 10 (3 health) | $68K |
| 11 | 78559 | La Feria | 79 | B | 6 (1 health) | $100K |
| 12 | 78520 | Brownsville | 77 | B | 4 | $129K |
| 13 | 78521 | Brownsville | 77 | B | 4 | $91K |
| 14 | 78568 | Lozano | 73 | B | 0 | — |
| 15 | 78593 | Santa Rosa | 73 | B | 12 (3 health) | $67K |
| 16 | 78550 | Harlingen | 71 | B | 15 (1 health) | $121K |
| 17 | 78552 | Harlingen | 71 | B | 15 (1 health) | $155K |
| 18 | 78583 | Rio Hondo | 70 | B | 32 (12 health) | $148K |
| 19 | 78566 | Los Fresnos | 69 | C | 8 (4 health) | $138K |
| 20 | 78567 | Los Indios | 66 | C | 0 | $61K |
| 21 | 78592 | Santa Maria | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 22 | 78598 | Port Mansfield | 60 | C | 0 | — |
| 23 | 78597 | South Padre Island | 50 | D | 0 | $509K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Cameron County
Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.
- 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
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cameron County, Texas
Overview
Cameron County in Texas covers 23 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (77/100).
16 of 23 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 29 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Texas 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.