Avery County, North Carolina
11 ZIP codes · Avg score 64/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Monitoring figures for Avery County indicate average water quality overall — some ZIP codes among the 11 tracked have recorded health-based violations, while others operate cleanly, making individual ZIP-level data the most actionable reference point.
How Avery County Compares
How Avery County Compares
Avery County scores 9 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 4 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Avery County, North Carolina
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.1 (asthma 10.7%, diabetes 12.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,404, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.395% avg pipe failure probability, 30% of ZIPs at high risk
64.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
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: $1,404
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
19,901 housing units in Avery 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 Avery County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Avery 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 Avery County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Avery County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sugar Mountain Utility | 3,226 | 19 |
| 2 | Linville Land Harbor | 2,280 | 19 |
| 3 | Linville Resorts Inc. | 499 | 19 |
| 4 | Charles a Cannon Memorial Hospital | 320 | 19 |
| 5 | NEWLAND, TOWN OF | 999 | 16 |
18 total water systems serve Avery County.
All ZIP Codes in Avery County
11 ZIP codes tracked in Avery County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28616 | Crossnore | 82 | B | 2 (1 health) | $223K |
| 2 | 28646 | Linville | 71 | B | 5 (2 health) | $394K |
| 3 | 28622 | Elk Park | 69 | C | 2 | $171K |
| 4 | 28604 | Banner Elk | 64 | C | 2 | $319K |
| 5 | 28652 | Minneapolis | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 6 | 28662 | Pineola | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 7 | 28664 | Plumtree | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 8 | 28657 | Newland | 62 | C | 12 (3 health) | $224K |
| 9 | 28679 | Sugar Grove | 55 | C | 0 | $282K |
| 10 | 28691 | Valle Crucis | 55 | C | 0 | — |
| 11 | 28653 | Montezuma | 53 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Avery County
Filtered against EPA monitoring data and CDC lead-exposure guidance, the guides below skip the generic catalog and connect directly to the contaminants and hazards on file here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 64.5% 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 Avery County, North Carolina
Overview
Avery County in North Carolina covers 11 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (64/100).
5 of 11 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to North Carolina 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.