Carter County, Kentucky
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 61/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in Carter County, the 8 tracked ZIP codes show adequate but uneven water quality.
How Carter County Compares
How Carter County Compares
Carter County scores 0 points above the Kentucky state average (61/100) and 7 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Carter County, Kentucky
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,538, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.361% avg pipe failure probability, 14% of ZIPs at high risk
67.7% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Carter County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 9 violations. Past 5 years: 28 total (28 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,538
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
12,545 housing units in Carter County
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 Carter County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Carter 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.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Carter County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RATTLESNAKE RIDGE WATER DISTRICT | 11,397 | 4 |
| 2 | Grayson Utility Commission | 10,950 | 4 |
| 3 | OLIVE HILL MUNICIPAL WATER WORKS | 6,192 | 4 |
| 4 | Big Sandy Water District | 13,044 | 3 |
| 5 | Greenup Water System | 12,193 | 3 |
8 total water systems serve Carter County.
All ZIP Codes in Carter County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Carter County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 41164 | Olive Hill | 68 | C | 1 | $103K |
| 2 | 41143 | Grayson | 64 | C | 3 (3 health) | $141K |
| 3 | 41132 | Denton | 63 | C | 0 | $102K |
| 4 | 41135 | Emerson | 63 | C | 0 | $92K |
| 5 | 41142 | Grahn | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 6 | 41146 | Hitchins | 55 | C | 0 | — |
| 7 | 41181 | Willard | 55 | C | 0 | — |
| 8 | 41173 | Soldier | 53 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Carter County
While many sites publish identical guide lists across every county they cover, the selection here changes by location — driven by the EPA, NSF, FEMA, and CDC datasets that describe the actual conditions documented for this jurisdiction in the federal record.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 67.7% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Carter County, Kentucky
Overview
Carter County in Kentucky covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (61/100).
2 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Kentucky water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.