Data source: EPA SDWIS, U.S. Census Bureau, FEMA NFIP Last verified: 2026-06-03

The Portland metropolitan area spans Oregon, Washington and includes 172 ZIP codes served by 218 community water systems. We analyzed EPA compliance records, lead testing data, housing age, flood insurance claims, and radon risk for every ZIP in the metro to produce this report.

Metro-Wide Safety Score: B (78/100)

The Home Safety Score combines water quality, lead risk, radon exposure, and flood risk into a single 0-100 rating.

Grade Distribution

Grade	ZIP Codes	Percentage
A	26	15%
B	114	66%
C	22	13%
D	10	6%
F	0	0%

81% of ZIP codes in the Portland metro earned an A or B — above-average safety conditions for homebuyers.

Safest Neighborhoods (Top 10 ZIPs)

The safest ZIP code is 97020 in Donald with a score of 99/100. These areas typically have newer infrastructure, fewer EPA violations, and lower environmental risk factors.

Highest-Risk Neighborhoods (Bottom 10 ZIPs)

If you are considering a home in these ZIP codes, we recommend requesting a water quality test, checking for lead service lines, and reviewing the full ZIP report before making an offer.

Most Common Contaminant Violations

1 of the top contaminants are health-based violations, meaning measured levels exceeded EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).

Lead Risk Overview

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0037 mg/L (below EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L)
• 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
• 18% of housing built before 1950 (highest lead paint risk)
• 26% of housing built before 1970 (lead solder in plumbing)
• 57% of housing built before 1986 (potential lead pipes)

With over half of homes built before 1986, lead plumbing components are common. Running cold water for 30 seconds before drinking can reduce lead exposure from older pipes.

Flood Risk

• 2,984 FEMA flood insurance claims filed
• 110 ZIP codes with flood claims (64% of metro)
• $23,303 average payout per claim
• $69,537,477 total payouts

Water System Comparison

The Portland metro is served by 218 community water systems, drawing from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Major water systems include:

• Alder Creek Barlow Water District
• Aldridge Ditch Company Ws
• Arch Cape Water District
• BANKS WATER DEPARTMENT
• Barlow Trail Estates
• Bay City Water System
• Beaver Water District
• Belle Passi Estates
• Berndt Creek Water Corporation
• Big Foot Mhp
• ...and 208 more systems

Water quality can vary significantly between systems. Always check the ZIP-level report for your specific address.

Radon Risk

Zone	Risk Level	ZIP Codes	Percentage
Zone 1	High	0	0%
Zone 2	Moderate	126	73%
Zone 3	Low	46	27%

Is Portland Safe for Homebuyers?

Positive indicators: above-average metro safety score (B); majority of ZIP codes rated A or B; no ZIP codes exceed EPA lead action level.

Areas of concern: 84 health-based EPA violations on record.

Safety conditions vary widely within the metro. A ZIP code with an A grade may be just a few miles from one rated F. Always check your specific ZIP code before making a purchase decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the water quality safety grade for the Portland metro area?

The Portland metro area has an average Home Safety Score of 78/100 (grade B). This score is based on EPA violation records, lead testing data, radon risk, and flood exposure across 172 ZIP codes.

How many EPA water violations are in the Portland area?

There are 1,256 total EPA violations across the Portland metro, with 84 being health-based violations. 150 out of 172 ZIP codes (87%) have at least one recorded violation.

Is the tap water safe to drink in Portland?

Water safety varies by ZIP code and water system. No ZIP codes currently exceed EPA lead action levels. The average lead level is 0.0037 mg/L (EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L). Check your specific ZIP code for a detailed report.

What percentage of homes in Portland have lead risk?

Approximately 57% of housing in the Portland metro was built before 1986, when lead pipes were still legal. 18% was built before 1950, the highest-risk category for lead paint. Homes in older neighborhoods should be tested for lead in both water and paint.

What is the flood risk in the Portland metro?

The Portland metro has recorded 2,984 FEMA flood insurance claims across 110 ZIP codes, with an average payout of $23,303 per claim. Check the FEMA flood map for your specific property.

Cities in the Portland Metro

• Portland, OR — 59 ZIP codes
• Beaverton, OR — 8 ZIP codes
• Gresham, OR — 2 ZIP codes
• Lake Oswego, OR — 2 ZIP codes
• Hillsboro, OR — 2 ZIP codes
• Antelope, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Aurora, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Beavercreek, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Boring, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Bridal Veil, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Brightwood, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Canby, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Cascade Locks, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Clackamas, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Clatskanie, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Colton, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Columbia City, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Corbett, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Donald, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Dufur, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Eagle Creek, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Estacada, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Fairview, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Gervais, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Gladstone, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Government Camp, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Grass Valley, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Hood River, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Hubbard, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Kent, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Marylhurst, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Maupin, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Molalla, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Moro, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Mosier, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Mount Hood Parkdale, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Mulino, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Odell, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Oregon City, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Rainier, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Rhododendron, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Rufus, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Saint Helens, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Warren, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Deer Island, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Sandy, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Scappoose, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Shaniko, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• The Dalles, OR — 1 ZIP codes
• Troutdale, OR — 1 ZIP codes

...and 54 more cities. Browse all via city directory.

All 172 ZIP Codes

View all ZIP codes in the Portland metro

• 97001 Antelope [B] — 12 violations
• 97002 Aurora [B] — 11 violations
• 97003 Beaverton [B] — 3 violations
• 97004 Beavercreek [C]
• 97005 Beaverton [B] — 3 violations
• 97006 Beaverton [B] — 3 violations
• 97007 Beaverton [B] — 3 violations
• 97008 Beaverton [B] — 3 violations
• 97009 Boring [A] — 5 violations
• 97010 Bridal Veil [D]
• 97011 Brightwood [A] — 4 violations
• 97013 Canby [A] — 5 violations
• 97014 Cascade Locks [B] — 15 violations
• 97015 Clackamas [A] — 6 violations
• 97016 Clatskanie [C] — 103 violations
• 97017 Colton [A] — 30 violations
• 97018 Columbia City [B] — 6 violations
• 97019 Corbett [B] — 12 violations
• 97020 Donald [A]
• 97021 Dufur [B] — 16 violations
• 97022 Eagle Creek [C] — 8 violations
• 97023 Estacada [A] — 9 violations
• 97024 Fairview [C] — 12 violations
• 97026 Gervais [A] — 2 violations
• 97027 Gladstone [B] — 6 violations
• 97028 Government Camp [A] — 2 violations
• 97029 Grass Valley [B] — 1 violation
• 97030 Gresham [B] — 7 violations
• 97031 Hood River [B] — 13 violations
• 97032 Hubbard [A] — 9 violations
• 97033 Kent [D]
• 97034 Lake Oswego [B] — 5 violations
• 97035 Lake Oswego [A] — 5 violations
• 97036 Marylhurst [C]
• 97037 Maupin [B] — 23 violations
• 97038 Molalla [B] — 54 violations
• 97039 Moro [B] — 1 violation
• 97040 Mosier [D]
• 97041 Mount Hood Parkdale [D]
• 97042 Mulino [A] — 20 violations
• 97044 Odell [B] — 2 violations
• 97045 Oregon City [B] — 12 violations
• 97048 Rainier [C] — 34 violations
• 97049 Rhododendron [A] — 2 violations
• 97050 Rufus [C] — 7 violations
• 97051 Saint Helens [C]
• 97053 Warren [D]
• 97054 Deer Island [C]
• 97055 Sandy [C] — 35 violations
• 97056 Scappoose [B] — 30 violations
• 97057 Shaniko [B] — 12 violations
• 97058 The Dalles [B] — 10 violations
• 97060 Troutdale [B] — 1 violation
• 97062 Tualatin [B] — 2 violations
• 97063 Tygh Valley [B] — 27 violations
• 97064 Vernonia [C] — 22 violations
• 97065 Wasco [B] — 2 violations
• 97067 Welches [B] — 12 violations
• 97068 West Linn [B] — 18 violations
• 97070 Wilsonville [A] — 7 violations
• 97071 Woodburn [B] — 16 violations
• 97075 Beaverton [B] — 3 violations
• 97076 Beaverton [B] — 3 violations
• 97077 Beaverton [B] — 3 violations
• 97078 First Consumers Nat Bank [C]
• 97080 Gresham [B] — 7 violations
• 97086 Happy Valley [A] — 9 violations
• 97089 Damascus [A] — 2 violations
• 97101 Amity [B] — 15 violations
• 97102 Arch Cape [B] — 8 violations
• 97103 Astoria [C] — 17 violations
• 97106 Banks [B] — 4 violations
• 97107 Bay City [A] — 6 violations
• 97108 Beaver [C]
• 97109 Buxton [C]
• 97110 Cannon Beach [B] — 6 violations
• 97111 Carlton [B] — 7 violations
• 97112 Cloverdale [A] — 21 violations
• 97113 Cornelius [B] — 36 violations
• 97114 Dayton [B] — 1 violation
• 97115 Dundee [B] — 3 violations
• 97116 Forest Grove [B] — 1 violation
• 97117 Gales Creek [C]
• 97118 Garibaldi [A] — 10 violations
• 97119 Gaston [B] — 29 violations
• 97121 Hammond [D]
• 97122 Hebo [A] — 9 violations
• 97123 Hillsboro [B] — 7 violations
• 97124 Hillsboro [B] — 7 violations
• 97125 Manning [D]
• 97127 Lafayette [B] — 33 violations
• 97128 Mcminnville [B] — 6 violations
• 97130 Manzanita [A] — 3 violations
• 97131 Nehalem [B] — 14 violations
• 97132 Newberg [C] — 18 violations
• 97133 North Plains [C]
• 97134 Oceanside [A] — 8 violations
• 97135 Pacific City [B] — 12 violations
• 97136 Rockaway Beach [A] — 1 violation
• 97137 Saint Paul [C]
• 97138 Seaside [C] — 65 violations
• 97140 Sherwood [B] — 5 violations
• 97141 Tillamook [B] — 12 violations
• 97143 Netarts [A] — 10 violations
• 97144 Timber [C] — 37 violations
• 97145 Tolovana Park [C]
• 97146 Warrenton [B] — 1 violation
• 97147 Wheeler [B] — 11 violations
• 97148 Yamhill [B] — 16 violations
• 97149 Neskowin [B] — 4 violations
• 97201 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97202 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97203 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97204 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97205 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97206 Portland [A] — 2 violations
• 97207 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97208 Portland [A] — 2 violations
• 97209 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97210 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97211 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97212 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97213 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97214 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97215 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97216 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97217 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97218 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97219 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97220 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97221 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97222 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97223 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97224 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97225 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97227 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97228 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97229 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97230 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97231 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97232 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97233 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97236 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97238 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97239 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97240 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97242 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97250 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97251 Us West [D]
• 97252 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97253 Us Bank [D]
• 97254 Gen Electric [D]
• 97256 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97258 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97266 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97267 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97268 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97269 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97272 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97280 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97281 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97282 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97283 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97286 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97290 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97291 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97292 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97293 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97294 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97296 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97298 Portland [B] — 2 violations
• 97299 Portland [B] — 2 violations

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood risk: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.