COUNTY REPORT GA

Wilkes County, Georgia

3 ZIP codes · Avg score 92/100 · Grade A · Updated 2026-06-03

Water systems in Wilkes County serve 3 ZIP codes with few reported safety events.

How Wilkes County Compares

Wilkes County92/100
Georgia avg75/100
National avg68/100

How Wilkes County Compares

A
County Grade
92/100
Avg Safety Score
3
ZIP Codes
4
Water Systems

Wilkes County scores 17 points above the Georgia state average (75/100) and 24 points above the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

A
County Grade
92
Avg Safety Score
3
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 30668 (99/100)
Lowest ZIP: 30673 (79/100)
$114K
Median Home Value
$600
Avg Remediation (53% of home value)

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 16.5 (asthma 10.8%, diabetes 18.9%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $503, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.347% avg pipe failure probability, 33% of ZIPs at high risk

66.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2023–2025)

→ Stable trend

EPA violation counts by year across Wilkes County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2023
1 (1 health)
2024
1 (1 health)
2025
3 (3 health)

Peak year: 2025 with 3 violations. Past 5 years: 5 total (5 health-based).

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10.8% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 18.9% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 40.6% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1972
Median Build Year
66.3%
Pre-1978 Housing
35%
Pipe Failure Probability
33%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $503

Energy Code Gap $270/yr
Water / Lead $233/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

5,559 housing units in Wilkes County

Pre-1940 9%
1940–1959 11%
1960–1979 39%
1980–1999 26%
2000+ 14%

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 Wilkes County

$114K
Median Home Value
$600
Est. Remediation Cost
0.5%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Wilkes 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 Wilkes County residents

Asthma 10.8% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 18.9% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 40.6% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 4 systems in Wilkes County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Tignall Water System 729 5
2 Washington 6,490 4
3 Rayle Water System 200 1
4 Lincolnton 1,657 1

All ZIP Codes in Wilkes County

3 ZIP codes tracked in Wilkes County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 30668 Tignall 99 A 1 $121K
2 30660 Rayle 97 A 1 $114K
3 30673 Washington 79 B 4 (4 health) $109K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Wilkes County

Strictly editorial — no paid placements influence which guides appear; the selection draws on NSF certifications and EPA detection records for water systems serving this county.

Overview

Wilkes County in Georgia covers 3 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of A (92/100).

3 of 3 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Georgia water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Wilkes County?
Wilkes County receives a grade of A, indicating generally safe tap water across its 3 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Wilkes County?
Wilkes County is served by 4 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 3 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Wilkes County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Wilkes County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $503 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Wilkes County?
The median home build year in Wilkes County is 1972. 66.3% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Wilkes County compare to Georgia?
Wilkes County has an average water safety score of 92/100, which is above the Georgia state average of 75/100.

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