Clarke County, Virginia
11 ZIP codes · Avg score 48/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Clarke County's 11 ZIP codes, EPA data shows a below-average compliance pattern — health-based violations are documented in several areas, and independent testing is a reasonable step for concerned households.
How Clarke County Compares
How Clarke County Compares
Clarke County scores 18 points below the Virginia state average (66/100) and 20 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Clarke County, Virginia
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 12.8 (asthma 10.2%, diabetes 11.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $2,193, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.347% avg pipe failure probability, 33% of ZIPs at high risk
53.9% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Clarke County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 13 violations. Past 5 years: 28 total (28 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: $2,193
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
11,877 housing units in Clarke 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 Clarke County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Clarke 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 Clarke 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 Clarke County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berryville, Town of | 4,574 | 11 |
| 2 | Clarke County Sanitary Authority | 1,287 | 11 |
| 3 | RETREAT | 250 | 5 |
| 4 | ROUND HILL, TOWN OF | 5,019 | 5 |
| 5 | River Park | 100 | 5 |
6 total water systems serve Clarke County.
All ZIP Codes in Clarke County
11 ZIP codes tracked in Clarke County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20135 | Bluemont | 57 | C | 5 (1 health) | $546K |
| 2 | 22620 | Boyce | 53 | D | 0 | $495K |
| 3 | 22624 | Clear Brook | 53 | D | 0 | $403K |
| 4 | 22637 | Gore | 53 | D | 0 | $361K |
| 5 | 22646 | Millwood | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 6 | 22656 | Stephenson | 53 | D | 0 | $411K |
| 7 | 22611 | Berryville | 44 | D | 11 (9 health) | $578K |
| 8 | 20130 | Paris | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 9 | 20185 | Upperville | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 10 | 22622 | Brucetown | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 11 | 22625 | Cross Junction | 40 | D | 0 | $292K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Clarke County
Filtered against EPA monitoring data and CDC lead-exposure guidance, the guides below skip the generic catalog and connect directly to the contaminants and hazards on file here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 53.9% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Clarke County, Virginia
Overview
Clarke County in Virginia covers 11 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (48/100).
2 of 11 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 10 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Virginia 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.
What You Can Do
Clarke County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
53.9% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.