Marion County, West Virginia
20 ZIP codes · Avg score 65/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
Covering 20 ZIP codes, Marion County falls in the average tier for tap water safety — violations appear in a meaningful share of areas, and the data suggests quality depends heavily on which specific part of the county a household sits in.
How Marion County Compares
How Marion County Compares
Marion County scores 1 points above the West Virginia state average (64/100) and 3 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Marion County, West Virginia
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.3 (asthma 12.1%, diabetes 14.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,171, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.539% avg pipe failure probability, 83% of ZIPs at high risk
73.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Marion County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 12 violations. Past 5 years: 32 total (32 health-based).
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: $1,171
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
27,331 housing units in Marion 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 Marion County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FARMINGTON TOWN OF | 699 | 173 |
| 2 | Monumental Public Service District | 1,965 | 125 |
| 3 | SHINNSTON CITY OF | 4,959 | 113 |
| 4 | Worthington Town of | 598 | 113 |
| 5 | Four States Public Service District | 406 | 113 |
26 total water systems serve Marion County.
All ZIP Codes in Marion County
20 ZIP codes tracked in Marion County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26555 | Fairmont | 79 | B | 18 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 26574 | Grant Town | 79 | B | 3 | $90K |
| 3 | 26585 | Metz | 79 | B | 6 | $206K |
| 4 | 26587 | Rachel | 78 | B | 0 | $58K |
| 5 | 26591 | Worthington | 76 | B | 53 (2 health) | $112K |
| 6 | 26570 | Fairview | 74 | B | 41 (1 health) | $153K |
| 7 | 26571 | Farmington | 74 | B | 29 (1 health) | $133K |
| 8 | 26554 | Fairmont | 69 | C | 18 (1 health) | $182K |
| 9 | 26572 | Four States | 65 | C | 13 | $55K |
| 10 | 26521 | Blacksville | 63 | C | 0 | $113K |
| 11 | 26560 | Baxter | 63 | C | 0 | $94K |
| 12 | 26576 | Idamay | 63 | C | 0 | $114K |
| 13 | 26590 | Wana | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 14 | 26582 | Mannington | 59 | C | 19 | $101K |
| 15 | 26562 | Burton | 55 | C | 0 | — |
| 16 | 26578 | Kingmont | 55 | C | 0 | — |
| 17 | 26559 | Barrackville | 53 | D | 0 | $159K |
| 18 | 26563 | Carolina | 53 | D | 0 | $81K |
| 19 | 26566 | Colfax | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 20 | 26586 | Montana Mines | 53 | D | 0 | $281K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Marion County
Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 73.1% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- 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 Marion County, West Virginia
Overview
Marion County in West Virginia covers 20 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (65/100).
9 of 20 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to West 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.