Worst Infrastructure: Ohio — 2026 Rankings

Out of 1,363 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Ohio, 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	1,363
Highest risk	65%
Median risk	40%
Average risk	40%
State	Ohio

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	43524	Hamler	OH	65%	Very High	58/100
2	43527	Holgate	OH	61%	Very High	63/100
3	45410	Dayton	OH	61%	Very High	32/100
4	43610	Toledo	OH	60%	High	77/100
5	45403	Dayton	OH	60%	High	44/100
6	45405	Dayton	OH	60%	High	44/100
7	43512	Defiance	OH	59%	High	52/100
8	45419	Dayton	OH	59%	High	39/100
9	43791	White Cottage	OH	58%	High	32/100
10	44804	Arcadia	OH	58%	High	54/100
11	45402	Dayton	OH	58%	High	44/100
12	45406	Dayton	OH	58%	High	44/100
13	43027	Homer	OH	57%	High	40/100
14	43047	Mingo	OH	57%	High	40/100
15	43070	Rosewood	OH	57%	High	40/100
16	43117	Derby	OH	57%	High	40/100
17	43325	Iberia	OH	57%	High	40/100
18	43439	Lacarne	OH	57%	High	53/100
19	43520	Farmer	OH	57%	High	53/100
20	43531	Kunkle	OH	57%	High	53/100
21	43605	Toledo	OH	57%	High	72/100
22	43735	East Fultonham	OH	57%	High	40/100
23	43914	Cameron	OH	57%	High	55/100
24	44703	Canton	OH	57%	High	53/100
25	44902	Mansfield	OH	57%	High	61/100
26	45041	Miamitown	OH	57%	High	40/100
27	45147	Miamiville	OH	57%	High	63/100
28	45301	Alpha	OH	57%	High	40/100
29	45404	Dayton	OH	57%	High	44/100
30	45409	Dayton	OH	57%	High	44/100
31	45420	Dayton	OH	57%	High	39/100
32	43608	Toledo	OH	56%	High	77/100
33	43620	Toledo	OH	56%	High	77/100
34	43952	Steubenville	OH	56%	High	60/100
35	45809	Gomer	OH	56%	High	40/100
36	45848	Glandorf	OH	56%	High	68/100
37	43018	Etna	OH	55%	High	40/100
38	43109	Brice	OH	55%	High	53/100
39	43609	Toledo	OH	55%	High	67/100
40	44704	Canton	OH	55%	High	60/100
41	44710	Canton	OH	55%	High	53/100
42	45115	Decatur	OH	55%	High	53/100
43	45207	Cincinnati	OH	55%	High	66/100
44	45416	Dayton	OH	55%	High	32/100
45	45417	Dayton	OH	55%	High	44/100
46	43205	Columbus	OH	54%	High	68/100
47	43604	Toledo	OH	54%	High	77/100
48	43612	Toledo	OH	54%	High	67/100
49	43750	Kipling	OH	54%	High	53/100
50	43968	Wellsville	OH	54%	High	59/100
51	44080	Parkman	OH	54%	High	53/100
52	44107	Lakewood	OH	54%	High	68/100
53	44274	Sharon Center	OH	54%	High	63/100
54	44302	Akron	OH	54%	High	58/100
55	45347	New Paris	OH	54%	High	57/100
56	45350	North Star	OH	54%	High	40/100
57	45764	Nelsonville	OH	54%	High	53/100
58	43007	Broadway	OH	53%	High	40/100
59	43317	Chesterville	OH	53%	High	40/100
60	43434	Harbor View	OH	53%	High	53/100
61	43502	Archbold	OH	53%	High	67/100
62	43519	Evansport	OH	53%	High	63/100
63	43567	Wauseon	OH	53%	High	65/100
64	43943	Rayland	OH	53%	High	54/100
65	44483	Warren	OH	53%	High	74/100
66	44485	Warren	OH	53%	High	74/100
67	44503	Youngstown	OH	53%	High	80/100
68	44828	Flat Rock	OH	53%	High	40/100
69	44830	Fostoria	OH	53%	High	61/100
70	45155	Mowrystown	OH	53%	High	53/100
71	45212	Cincinnati	OH	53%	High	66/100
72	45216	Cincinnati	OH	53%	High	65/100
73	45336	Kettlersville	OH	53%	High	40/100
74	45349	North Hampton	OH	53%	High	63/100
75	45389	Christiansburg	OH	53%	High	66/100
76	45429	Dayton	OH	53%	High	44/100
77	45891	Van Wert	OH	53%	High	46/100
78	45898	Willshire	OH	53%	High	58/100
79	43036	Magnetic Springs	OH	52%	High	53/100
80	43153	South Solon	OH	52%	High	49/100
81	43206	Columbus	OH	52%	High	68/100
82	43407	Burgoon	OH	52%	High	40/100
83	43416	Elmore	OH	52%	High	71/100
84	43442	Lindsey	OH	52%	High	83/100
85	43606	Toledo	OH	52%	High	72/100
86	43607	Toledo	OH	52%	High	72/100
87	43611	Toledo	OH	52%	High	67/100
88	43613	Toledo	OH	52%	High	67/100
89	43721	Brownsville	OH	52%	High	40/100
90	43805	Blissfield	OH	52%	High	53/100
91	43934	Lansing	OH	52%	High	45/100
92	44301	Akron	OH	52%	High	62/100
93	44506	Youngstown	OH	52%	High	80/100
94	44688	Waynesburg	OH	52%	High	60/100
95	44833	Galion	OH	52%	High	56/100
96	45070	West Elkton	OH	52%	High	40/100
97	45205	Cincinnati	OH	52%	High	70/100
98	45208	Cincinnati	OH	52%	High	65/100
99	45213	Cincinnati	OH	52%	High	70/100
100	45316	Clifton	OH	52%	High	40/100

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: 2026-06-03.

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.