COUNTY REPORT TX

Wharton County, Texas

11 ZIP codes · Avg score 78/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03

Wharton County maintains reliable drinking water quality across all 11 of its tracked ZIP codes.

How Wharton County Compares

Wharton County78/100
Texas avg82/100
National avg68/100

How Wharton County Compares

B
County Grade
78/100
Avg Safety Score
11
ZIP Codes
16
Water Systems

Wharton County scores 4 points below the Texas state average (82/100) and 10 points above the national average (68/100).

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

B
County Grade
78
Avg Safety Score
11
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 77448 (90/100)
Lowest ZIP: 77488 (68/100)
$175K
Median Home Value
$1,973
Avg Remediation (112% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Wharton 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: 14 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 15%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $3,237, driven primarily by sea_level

Infrastructure: 0.349% avg pipe failure probability, 20% of ZIPs at high risk

62.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

↑ Worsening trend

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

2021
1 (1 health)
2022
3 (3 health)
2024
7 (7 health)
2025
2 (2 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 7 violations. Past 5 years: 13 total (13 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

Asthma 9.9% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 15% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 39.7% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1978
Median Build Year
62.5%
Pre-1978 Housing
35%
Pipe Failure Probability
20%
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: $3,237

Sea Level Rise $1,545/yr
Flood $1,200/yr
Energy Code Gap $278/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

17,594 housing units in Wharton County

Pre-1940 8%
1940–1959 23%
1960–1979 26%
1980–1999 25%
2000+ 19%

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 Wharton County

$175K
Median Home Value
$1,973
Est. Remediation Cost
1.1%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 9.9% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 15% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 39.7% (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 Wharton County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Hungerford Municipal Utility District 1 390 30
2 Straightway Training Center 40 30
3 City of El Campo 12,290 16
4 CITY OF WHARTON 8,756 10
5 Turtle Creek Village 105 9

16 total water systems serve Wharton County.

All ZIP Codes in Wharton County

11 ZIP codes tracked in Wharton County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 77448 Hungerford 90 A 30 (2 health)
2 77455 Louise 90 A 1 $160K
3 77435 East Bernard 85 A 1 $281K
4 77420 Boling 81 B 3 $195K
5 77437 El Campo 76 B 7 (1 health) $175K
6 76481 South Bend 73 B 0
7 77436 Egypt 73 B 0
8 77443 Glen Flora 73 B 0
9 77453 Lane City 73 B 0
10 77468 Pledger 73 B 0
11 77488 Wharton 68 C 9 $173K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Wharton County

Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.

Overview

Wharton County in Texas covers 11 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (78/100).

6 of 11 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Texas water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Wharton County?
Wharton County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 11 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Wharton County?
Wharton County is served by 16 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 11 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Wharton County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Wharton County is sea_level. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $3,237 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Wharton County?
The median home build year in Wharton County is 1978. 62.5% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Wharton County compare to Texas?
Wharton County has an average water safety score of 78/100, which is below the Texas state average of 82/100.

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