Franklin County, Vermont
19 ZIP codes · Avg score 71/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Although county size varies, Franklin County's 19 ZIP codes share reliably safe tap water records and above-average compliance scores.
How Franklin County Compares
How Franklin County Compares
Franklin County scores 0 points above the Vermont state average (71/100) and 3 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Franklin County, Vermont
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 12.9 (asthma 11.4%, diabetes 9.6%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $789, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.411% avg pipe failure probability, 53% of ZIPs at high risk
62.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
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: $789
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
22,898 housing units in Franklin 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 Franklin County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfax Water Department | 1,550 | 14 |
| 2 | Bakersfield Fire District 1 | 446 | 10 |
| 3 | Fairfield Fire District 2 | 126 | 10 |
| 4 | East Fairfield Fire District 1 | 184 | 9 |
| 5 | South Georgia Fire District | 500 | 9 |
22 total water systems serve Franklin County.
All ZIP Codes in Franklin County
19 ZIP codes tracked in Franklin County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5441 | Bakersfield | 83 | B | 0 | $242K |
| 2 | 5457 | Franklin | 83 | B | 0 | $245K |
| 3 | 5483 | Sheldon | 83 | B | 0 | $244K |
| 4 | 5454 | Fairfax | 82 | B | 9 (1 health) | $361K |
| 5 | 5447 | East Berkshire | 81 | B | 1 | $156K |
| 6 | 5448 | East Fairfield | 81 | B | 5 | $247K |
| 7 | 5455 | Fairfield | 81 | B | 4 | $322K |
| 8 | 5476 | Richford | 81 | B | 1 | $190K |
| 9 | 5470 | Montgomery | 79 | B | 3 (1 health) | — |
| 10 | 5464 | Jeffersonville | 78 | B | 1 | $326K |
| 11 | 5450 | Enosburg Falls | 76 | B | 1 | $253K |
| 12 | 5488 | Swanton | 70 | B | 5 | $267K |
| 13 | 5459 | Highgate Center | 63 | C | 0 | $267K |
| 14 | 5471 | Montgomery Center | 55 | C | 0 | $280K |
| 15 | 5481 | Saint Albans Bay | 55 | C | 0 | — |
| 16 | 5460 | Highgate Springs | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 17 | 5479 | Saint Albans | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 18 | 5485 | Sheldon Springs | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 19 | 5478 | Saint Albans | 50 | D | 0 | $298K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Franklin County
Editorial methodology pairs each documented risk in this county with the buyer category that addresses it, drawing on water-quality detections, housing-stock lead exposure, EPA Radon Zone designation, and FEMA flood and wildfire ratings. NSF-certified options surface where applicable, and products that match the specific contaminant take priority.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 62.3% of homes built before 1978
- 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 Franklin County, Vermont
Overview
Franklin County in Vermont covers 19 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (71/100).
9 of 19 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Vermont 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.