Howard County, Texas
4 ZIP codes · Avg score 70/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Howard County's 4 ZIP codes maintain an above-average drinking water safety record.
How Howard County Compares
How Howard County Compares
Howard County scores 12 points below the Texas state average (82/100) and 2 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13 (asthma 9.6%, diabetes 13.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,293, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.487% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
78% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Howard County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 11 violations. Past 5 years: 41 total (41 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
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: $1,293
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
14,048 housing units in Howard 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 Howard County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Howard 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 Howard County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 4 systems in Howard County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Forsan | 228 | 64 |
| 2 | City of Big Spring | 27,282 | 44 |
| 3 | City of Stanton | 2,657 | 22 |
| 4 | City of Coahoma | 3,552 | 15 |
All ZIP Codes in Howard County
4 ZIP codes tracked in Howard County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 79733 | Forsan | 83 | B | 64 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 79511 | Coahoma | 66 | C | 15 (11 health) | $266K |
| 3 | 79721 | Big Spring | 66 | C | 22 (17 health) | — |
| 4 | 79720 | Big Spring | 65 | C | 22 (17 health) | $147K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Howard 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 Lead Paint Test Kits — 78% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Overview
Howard County in Texas covers 4 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (70/100).
4 of 4 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 46 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.