Worst Infrastructure: Portland Metro — 2026

Out of 85 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in the Portland metro area, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	85
Highest risk	56%
Median risk	33%
Average risk	34%

Top 85 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	97267	Portland	OR	56%	High	84/100
2	97206	Portland	OR	52%	High	94/100
3	98666	Vancouver	WA	52%	High	69/100
4	98668	Vancouver	WA	52%	High	65/100
5	98687	Vancouver	WA	52%	High	65/100
6	97212	Portland	OR	49%	High	82/100
7	97213	Portland	OR	49%	High	82/100
8	97219	Portland	OR	48%	High	77/100
9	97221	Portland	OR	48%	High	82/100
10	97222	Portland	OR	48%	High	84/100
11	97210	Portland	OR	47%	High	82/100
12	97204	Portland	OR	46%	High	82/100
13	97211	Portland	OR	46%	High	82/100
14	97215	Portland	OR	46%	High	82/100
15	97005	Beaverton	OR	45%	High	72/100
16	97008	Beaverton	OR	45%	High	82/100
17	97202	Portland	OR	45%	High	77/100
18	97214	Portland	OR	45%	High	82/100
19	97225	Portland	OR	45%	High	77/100
20	97217	Portland	OR	44%	High	77/100
21	97231	Portland	OR	44%	High	82/100
22	97218	Portland	OR	43%	High	82/100
23	97220	Portland	OR	42%	High	82/100
24	97203	Portland	OR	41%	High	82/100
25	98663	Vancouver	WA	41%	High	69/100
26	97205	Portland	OR	40%	Moderate	82/100
27	97075	Beaverton	OR	39%	Moderate	82/100
28	97076	Beaverton	OR	39%	Moderate	82/100
29	97077	Beaverton	OR	39%	Moderate	82/100
30	97223	Portland	OR	39%	Moderate	72/100
31	97123	Hillsboro	OR	38%	Moderate	75/100
32	97232	Portland	OR	38%	Moderate	82/100
33	98660	Vancouver	WA	38%	Moderate	69/100
34	97227	Portland	OR	37%	Moderate	82/100
35	97030	Gresham	OR	36%	Moderate	77/100
36	97216	Portland	OR	36%	Moderate	82/100
37	97230	Portland	OR	36%	Moderate	82/100
38	97266	Portland	OR	36%	Moderate	72/100
39	97003	Beaverton	OR	35%	Moderate	82/100
40	97201	Portland	OR	35%	Moderate	82/100
41	97233	Portland	OR	35%	Moderate	82/100
42	97239	Portland	OR	34%	Moderate	77/100
43	97007	Beaverton	OR	33%	Moderate	77/100
44	97236	Portland	OR	33%	Moderate	77/100
45	97006	Beaverton	OR	32%	Moderate	82/100
46	98661	Vancouver	WA	32%	Moderate	69/100
47	98664	Vancouver	WA	32%	Moderate	69/100
48	97080	Gresham	OR	31%	Moderate	77/100
49	97124	Hillsboro	OR	31%	Moderate	75/100
50	98665	Vancouver	WA	30%	Moderate	69/100
51	97224	Portland	OR	29%	Moderate	77/100
52	97229	Portland	OR	29%	Moderate	77/100
53	97209	Portland	OR	28%	Moderate	82/100
54	98662	Vancouver	WA	25%	Moderate	69/100
55	98683	Vancouver	WA	25%	Moderate	69/100
56	98685	Vancouver	WA	25%	Moderate	69/100
57	98686	Vancouver	WA	25%	Moderate	69/100
58	97207	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
59	97228	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
60	97238	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
61	97240	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
62	97242	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
63	97250	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
64	97252	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
65	97256	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
66	97258	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
67	97268	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
68	97269	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
69	97272	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
70	97280	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
71	97281	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
72	97282	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
73	97283	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
74	97286	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
75	97290	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
76	97291	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
77	97292	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
78	97293	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
79	97294	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
80	97296	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
81	97298	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
82	97299	Portland	OR	24%	Moderate	82/100
83	98684	Vancouver	WA	24%	Moderate	69/100
84	98682	Vancouver	WA	22%	Moderate	69/100
85	97208	Portland	OR	16%	Low	94/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.