Washburn County, Wisconsin
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 68/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
While Washburn County avoids the worst tiers, a portion of its 7 ZIP codes have logged violations.
How Washburn County Compares
How Washburn County Compares
Washburn 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: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Washburn County, Wisconsin
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.9 (asthma 11%, diabetes 14.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,231, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.336% avg pipe failure probability, 14% of ZIPs at high risk
57.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Washburn County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 2 violations. Past 5 years: 4 total (4 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: $1,231
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
12,863 housing units in Washburn 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 Washburn County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Washburn 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 Washburn 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 Washburn County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birchwood Waterworks | 442 | 10 |
| 2 | Spooner Waterworks | 2,653 | 7 |
| 3 | Beaver Brook Sanitary District | 200 | 7 |
| 4 | Buliks Mobile Home Park | 93 | 7 |
| 5 | SHELL LAKE WATERWORKS | 950 | 4 |
6 total water systems serve Washburn County.
All ZIP Codes in Washburn County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Washburn County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54859 | Minong | 83 | B | 0 | $208K |
| 2 | 54817 | Birchwood | 82 | B | 10 (1 health) | $259K |
| 3 | 54801 | Spooner | 78 | B | 7 | $199K |
| 4 | 54871 | Shell Lake | 77 | B | 4 (1 health) | $215K |
| 5 | 54845 | Hertel | 53 | D | 0 | $113K |
| 6 | 54857 | Mikana | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 7 | 54888 | Trego | 53 | D | 0 | $216K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Washburn County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 57.6% of homes built before 1978
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Washburn County, Wisconsin
Overview
Washburn County in Wisconsin covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (68/100).
3 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Wisconsin 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.