Burke County, North Carolina
12 ZIP codes · Avg score 70/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Across all 12 ZIP codes in Burke County, tap water consistently meets or exceeds federal safety standards.
How Burke County Compares
How Burke County Compares
Burke County scores 3 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 2 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Burke 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: 14.9 (asthma 10.9%, diabetes 13.8%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $830, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.434% avg pipe failure probability, 64% of ZIPs at high risk
73.4% 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: $830
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
35,991 housing units in Burke 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 Burke County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Burke 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 Burke 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 Burke County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burke Company Water-south | 5,207 | 24 |
| 2 | City of Morganton | 27,221 | 21 |
| 3 | Valdese, Town of | 13,571 | 20 |
| 4 | Icard Township Water Corporation | 7,821 | 20 |
| 5 | Drexel Town of | 3,302 | 20 |
21 total water systems serve Burke County.
All ZIP Codes in Burke County
12 ZIP codes tracked in Burke County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28637 | Hildebran | 82 | B | 3 (1 health) | $189K |
| 2 | 28641 | Jonas Ridge | 82 | B | 8 (1 health) | — |
| 3 | 28680 | Morganton | 80 | B | 2 | — |
| 4 | 28628 | Glen Alpine | 75 | B | 11 (1 health) | — |
| 5 | 28619 | Drexel | 72 | B | 1 | $201K |
| 6 | 28671 | Rutherford College | 71 | B | 1 (1 health) | $190K |
| 7 | 28655 | Morganton | 70 | B | 2 | $170K |
| 8 | 28667 | Rhodhiss | 70 | B | 7 (2 health) | $133K |
| 9 | 28612 | Connellys Springs | 63 | C | 0 | $159K |
| 10 | 28647 | Linville Falls | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 11 | 28690 | Valdese | 61 | C | 17 | $185K |
| 12 | 28666 | Icard | 53 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Burke 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.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 73.4% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Burke County, North Carolina
Overview
Burke County in North Carolina covers 12 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (70/100).
9 of 12 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.