COUNTY REPORT TX

Ellis County, Texas

16 ZIP codes · Avg score 90/100 · Grade A · Updated 2026-06-03

Based on current EPA data, Ellis County's 16 ZIP codes maintain an above-average drinking water safety record.

How Ellis County Compares

Ellis County90/100
Texas avg82/100
National avg68/100

How Ellis County Compares

A
County Grade
90/100
Avg Safety Score
16
ZIP Codes
33
Water Systems

Ellis County scores 8 points above the Texas state average (82/100) and 22 points above the national average (68/100).

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

A
County Grade
90
Avg Safety Score
16
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 76041 (99/100)
Lowest ZIP: 75155 (73/100)
$226K
Median Home Value
$1,600
Avg Remediation (71% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Ellis County, Texas

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: 12.3 (asthma 10.1%, diabetes 11.8%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $878, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.303% avg pipe failure probability, 7% of ZIPs at high risk

44.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2023–2024)

→ Stable trend

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

2023
7 (7 health)
2024
12 (12 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 12 violations. Past 5 years: 19 total (19 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 10.1% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11.8% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 37.3% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1987
Median Build Year
44.4%
Pre-1978 Housing
30%
Pipe Failure Probability
7%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Moderate
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: $878

Flood $338/yr
Wildfire $300/yr
Energy Code Gap $169/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

73,311 housing units in Ellis County

Pre-1940 4%
1940–1959 5%
1960–1979 16%
1980–1999 29%
2000+ 46%

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 Ellis County

$226K
Median Home Value
$1,600
Est. Remediation Cost
0.7%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 10.1% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11.8% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 37.3% (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 Ellis County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Buena Vista Bethel Special Utility District 8,218 56
2 City of Waxahachie 50,814 54
3 Howard Water Coop 117 51
4 Rockett Special Utility District 46,614 40
5 Files Valley Water Supply Corporation 3,600 39

33 total water systems serve Ellis County.

All ZIP Codes in Ellis County

16 ZIP codes tracked in Ellis County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 76041 Forreston 99 A 0 $174K
2 76670 Milford 98 A 14 (1 health) $194K
3 75120 Ennis 97 A 1
4 75152 Palmer 95 A 1 $241K
5 75125 Ferris 94 A 4 (1 health) $198K
6 75119 Ennis 93 A 1 $238K
7 75168 Waxahachie 93 A 17 (2 health)
8 76651 Italy 91 A 5 $214K
9 76065 Midlothian 90 A 1 $379K
10 75165 Waxahachie 88 A 17 (2 health) $308K
11 75167 Waxahachie 88 A 17 (2 health) $370K
12 75101 Bardwell 85 A 5 $108K
13 75154 Red Oak 85 A 0 $296K
14 76064 Maypearl 84 B 3 $317K
15 76623 Avalon 83 B 14 (1 health) $114K
16 75155 Rice 73 B 0 $113K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Ellis County

If FEMA records flag flood-top-risk status or EPA samples show PFAS exceedances, the matching logic lifts emergency-water and PFAS-rated filtration into the recommendations — federal data drives the order, not retailer arrangements.

Overview

Ellis County in Texas covers 16 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of A (90/100).

13 of 16 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 9 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Texas water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Ellis County?
Ellis County receives a grade of A, indicating generally safe tap water across its 16 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Ellis County?
Ellis County is served by 33 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 16 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Ellis County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Ellis County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $878 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Ellis County?
The median home build year in Ellis County is 1987. 44.4% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Ellis County compare to Texas?
Ellis County has an average water safety score of 90/100, which is above the Texas state average of 82/100.

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