COUNTY REPORT WI

Vilas County, Wisconsin

6 ZIP codes · Avg score 68/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Monitoring figures for Vilas County indicate average water quality overall — some ZIP codes among the 6 tracked have recorded health-based violations, while others operate cleanly, making individual ZIP-level data the most actionable reference point.

How Vilas County Compares

Vilas County68/100
Wisconsin avg66/100
National avg68/100

How Vilas County Compares

C
County Grade
68/100
Avg Safety Score
6
ZIP Codes
4
Water Systems

Vilas County scores 2 points above the Wisconsin state average (66/100) and 0 points above the national average (68/100).

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

C
County Grade
68
Avg Safety Score
6
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 54538 (83/100)
Lowest ZIP: 54561 (53/100)
$236K
Median Home Value
$533
Avg Remediation (23% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Vilas County, Wisconsin

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: 15 (asthma 10.8%, diabetes 13.8%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $550, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.353% avg pipe failure probability

60.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2026)

→ Stable trend

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

2021
3 (3 health)
2023
3 (3 health)
2026
3 (3 health)

Peak year: 2021 with 3 violations. Past 5 years: 9 total (9 health-based).

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10.8% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.8% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 38.4% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1977
Median Build Year
60.5%
Pre-1978 Housing
35%
Pipe Failure Probability
0%
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: $550

Energy Code Gap $270/yr
Water / Lead $150/yr
Underground Tanks $80/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

8,753 housing units in Vilas County

Pre-1940 8%
1940–1959 15%
1960–1979 28%
1980–1999 28%
2000+ 21%

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 Vilas County

$236K
Median Home Value
$533
Est. Remediation Cost
0.2%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 10.8% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.8% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 38.4% (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 4 systems in Vilas County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 LAND O LAKES SANITARY DIST 450 9
2 Lowenstine Fund Corporation 120 9
3 PHELPS SANITARY DISTRICT 550 2
4 Forest Edge Apartments Llc 100 0

All ZIP Codes in Vilas County

6 ZIP codes tracked in Vilas County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 54538 Lac Du Flambeau 83 B 0 $271K
2 54554 Phelps 82 B 2 $223K
3 54540 Land O Lakes 81 B 9 (2 health) $224K
4 54512 Boulder Junction 53 D 0 $281K
5 54519 Conover 53 D 0 $242K
6 54561 Star Lake 53 D 0 $229K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Vilas County

Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.

Overview

Vilas County in Wisconsin covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (68/100).

2 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Wisconsin water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Vilas County?
Vilas County receives a grade of C. Some ZIP codes have recorded violations and residents in affected areas may want to test their water.
How many water systems serve Vilas County?
Vilas County is served by 4 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 6 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Vilas County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Vilas County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $550 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Vilas County?
The median home build year in Vilas County is 1977. 60.5% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Vilas County compare to Wisconsin?
Vilas County has an average water safety score of 68/100, which is above the Wisconsin state average of 66/100.

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