2026 Rankings

Highest Remediation Burden: Wisconsin — 2026

Last updated: June 4, 2026

762 ZIP codes ranked by Remediation Burden #1: ZIP 54645 (Mount Sterling, WI) — $7,140

Out of 762 ZIP codes with data in Wisconsin, these are the areas where estimated safety remediation costs represent the largest share of median home value. See also: National Rankings | All Wisconsin Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 762
Highest burden 5.5% of median home value
Median burden 0.8% of median home value
Median estimated cost $2,200
State Wisconsin

Top 100 Highest Remediation Burden ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Est. Cost Median Home Value Burden %
1 54645 Mount Sterling WI $7,140 $130,000 5.5%
2 54241 Two Rivers WI $7,420 $146,000 5.1%
3 54625 Dodge WI $8,140 $182,300 4.5%
4 54215 Kellnersville WI $6,340 $148,000 4.3%
5 54971 Ripon WI $7,800 $182,800 4.3%
6 54806 Ashland WI $7,060 $172,900 4.1%
7 54216 Kewaunee WI $7,000 $173,300 4.0%
8 54771 Thorp WI $6,880 $178,300 3.9%
9 53206 Milwaukee WI $2,700 $70,800 3.8%
10 53094 Watertown WI $7,860 $223,900 3.5%
11 54449 Marshfield WI $6,520 $194,400 3.4%
12 54652 Readstown WI $4,000 $142,600 2.8%
13 54495 Wisconsin Rapids WI $3,300 $117,900 2.8%
14 53098 Watertown WI $6,660 $239,700 2.8%
15 53565 Mineral Point WI $6,960 $254,200 2.7%
16 53540 Gotham WI $3,000 $112,500 2.7%
17 54409 Antigo WI $3,000 $115,800 2.6%
18 53962 Union Center WI $2,900 $112,500 2.6%
19 53039 Juneau WI $5,440 $212,200 2.6%
20 53204 Milwaukee WI $2,700 $106,000 2.5%
21 54724 Bloomer WI $5,860 $231,400 2.5%
22 53233 Milwaukee WI $3,300 $132,900 2.5%
23 53537 Footville WI $3,300 $147,400 2.2%
24 53205 Milwaukee WI $2,700 $122,100 2.2%
25 53218 Milwaukee WI $2,700 $122,200 2.2%
26 53216 Milwaukee WI $2,700 $122,800 2.2%
27 54403 Wausau WI $3,900 $179,400 2.2%
28 53105 Burlington WI $6,340 $295,100 2.1%
29 54140 Little Chute WI $4,360 $204,000 2.1%
30 54848 Ladysmith WI $2,900 $138,100 2.1%
31 53821 Prairie Du Chien WI $3,300 $162,500 2.0%
32 54631 Gays Mills WI $3,300 $165,100 2.0%
33 54630 Galesville WI $5,200 $261,700 2.0%
34 54948 Leopolis WI $2,400 $121,600 2.0%
35 53221 Milwaukee WI $4,000 $205,500 1.9%
36 54494 Wisconsin Rapids WI $3,300 $170,800 1.9%
37 54981 Waupaca WI $3,900 $204,100 1.9%
38 54867 Radisson WI $2,500 $132,700 1.9%
39 53801 Bagley WI $2,400 $128,400 1.9%
40 54491 White Lake WI $3,000 $160,500 1.9%
41 53506 Avoca WI $2,700 $145,200 1.9%
42 53806 Cassville WI $2,700 $145,100 1.9%
43 53713 Madison WI $4,800 $259,100 1.8%
44 53215 Milwaukee WI $2,700 $148,400 1.8%
45 54622 Cochrane WI $3,300 $181,300 1.8%
46 53511 Beloit WI $2,900 $160,000 1.8%
47 54450 Mattoon WI $1,500 $82,900 1.8%
48 53209 Milwaukee WI $2,700 $150,200 1.8%
49 53522 Browntown WI $3,300 $183,000 1.8%
50 53223 Milwaukee WI $3,300 $184,300 1.8%
51 54474 Rothschild WI $3,300 $184,200 1.8%
52 54896 Winter WI $3,200 $180,000 1.8%
53 54401 Wausau WI $3,300 $186,100 1.8%
54 54405 Abbotsford WI $2,700 $152,500 1.8%
55 53210 Milwaukee WI $2,700 $153,400 1.8%
56 54150 Neopit WI $1,200 $68,500 1.8%
57 53219 Milwaukee WI $3,300 $190,300 1.7%
58 54552 Park Falls WI $2,200 $127,500 1.7%
59 54166 Shawano WI $2,900 $169,700 1.7%
60 54929 Clintonville WI $2,700 $157,900 1.7%
61 54664 Viola WI $3,000 $177,900 1.7%
62 54124 Gillett WI $2,200 $131,700 1.7%
63 54651 Ontario WI $3,300 $198,000 1.7%
64 53581 Richland Center WI $3,000 $180,200 1.7%
65 54127 Green Valley WI $2,200 $132,500 1.7%
66 54639 La Farge WI $3,000 $180,700 1.7%
67 54128 Gresham WI $2,700 $164,200 1.6%
68 53222 Milwaukee WI $3,300 $202,100 1.6%
69 53518 Blue River WI $2,400 $147,000 1.6%
70 53805 Boscobel WI $2,400 $147,300 1.6%
71 54926 Big Falls WI $1,200 $73,800 1.6%
72 54935 Fond Du Lac WI $2,700 $166,400 1.6%
73 54213 Forestville WI $3,000 $186,500 1.6%
74 53586 Shullsburg WI $2,400 $149,900 1.6%
75 54628 Ferryville WI $3,000 $187,900 1.6%
76 54501 Rhinelander WI $3,100 $194,900 1.6%
77 53810 Glen Haven WI $2,400 $151,900 1.6%
78 54103 Armstrong Creek WI $2,900 $184,100 1.6%
79 54615 Black River Falls WI $3,000 $190,200 1.6%
80 54950 Marion WI $2,400 $151,900 1.6%
81 53929 Elroy WI $2,900 $185,800 1.6%
82 54481 Stevens Point WI $3,000 $191,700 1.6%
83 54949 Manawa WI $3,000 $192,200 1.6%
84 53225 Milwaukee WI $2,700 $174,500 1.6%
85 54874 South Range WI $3,200 $206,500 1.6%
86 53530 Darlington WI $2,700 $175,000 1.5%
87 53050 Mayville WI $3,000 $195,600 1.5%
88 53526 Cobb WI $2,700 $176,300 1.5%
89 54902 Oshkosh WI $2,500 $163,900 1.5%
90 54855 Marengo WI $2,900 $191,400 1.5%
91 53214 Milwaukee WI $2,700 $178,600 1.5%
92 54654 Seneca WI $1,200 $79,600 1.5%
93 53404 Racine WI $1,900 $126,800 1.5%
94 54968 Princeton WI $2,700 $180,300 1.5%
95 53714 Madison WI $4,100 $275,000 1.5%
96 54634 Hillsboro WI $2,700 $180,800 1.5%
97 54657 Steuben WI $3,000 $201,900 1.5%
98 53963 Waupun WI $2,700 $182,900 1.5%
99 54733 Dallas WI $2,500 $168,500 1.5%
100 54961 New London WI $2,900 $196,600 1.5%

Methodology

The remediation burden ratio is calculated as: estimated remediation cost / median home value. Remediation costs are the sum of applicable safety measures for each ZIP code based on EPA, FEMA, and state data:

  • Lead service line replacement — where lead exposure risk is elevated (based on housing age, water system data, and EPA sampling)
  • Radon mitigation system — in EPA Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas with predicted indoor radon above 4 pCi/L
  • Whole-home water filtration — where contaminant levels exceed EPA guidelines
  • Flood insurance — in FEMA-designated flood zones with claim history
  • PFAS treatment — where PFAS detections have been reported

Median home values are from U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS) estimates. Cost estimates use national average ranges from EPA, HUD, and industry data. Individual home costs may vary significantly based on specific conditions.

Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "remediation cost relative to home value" mean?

This ratio compares the estimated cost of addressing safety issues (lead pipes, radon mitigation, water filtration, flood insurance) to the median home value in that ZIP code. A ratio of 10% means remediation could cost roughly one-tenth of a typical home's value — a significant financial burden.

How are remediation costs estimated?

Costs are based on national averages for common remediation projects: lead service line replacement ($4,700-$12,000), radon mitigation ($800-$2,500), whole-home water filtration ($1,500-$4,000), and flood insurance premiums. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Why does this matter for homebuyers?

In areas with high remediation burden, the cost of making a home safe can represent a large portion of the home's value. This is especially impactful in lower-value housing markets where a $15,000 remediation bill represents 10-30% of the home price. Standard home inspections may not identify all these issues.

Does a high ratio mean the home is unsafe?

Not necessarily. The ratio reflects potential costs based on area-level environmental data — not every home in the ZIP code will need all remediation work. However, it indicates elevated risk factors that buyers should investigate before purchasing.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →


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Lead Risk 2026 Old pipes are the primary lead source Water Safety 2026 Infrastructure age affects water quality Home Safety 2026 Infrastructure in overall safety score
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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