Catawba County, North Carolina
13 ZIP codes · Avg score 66/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
For most households in Catawba County, the 13 tracked ZIP codes show adequate but uneven water quality.
How Catawba County Compares
How Catawba County Compares
Catawba County scores 7 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 2 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Catawba 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: 13.3 (asthma 10.6%, diabetes 11.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $964, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.336% avg pipe failure probability, 9% of ZIPs at high risk
47.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Catawba County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 14 violations. Past 5 years: 23 total (23 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
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: $964
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
72,605 housing units in Catawba 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 Catawba County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Catawba 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 Catawba 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 Catawba County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southeast Catawba County | 5,080 | 37 |
| 2 | City of Conover, | 15,347 | 35 |
| 3 | City of Newton, | 18,407 | 35 |
| 4 | City of Hickory | 75,654 | 30 |
| 5 | Catawba, Town of | 1,181 | 26 |
35 total water systems serve Catawba County.
All ZIP Codes in Catawba County
13 ZIP codes tracked in Catawba County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28673 | Sherrills Ford | 83 | B | 1 | $447K |
| 2 | 28613 | Conover | 76 | B | 5 | $208K |
| 3 | 28658 | Newton | 76 | B | 16 (2 health) | $193K |
| 4 | 28603 | Hickory | 71 | B | 3 (1 health) | — |
| 5 | 28610 | Claremont | 71 | B | 10 (2 health) | $159K |
| 6 | 28602 | Hickory | 66 | C | 3 (1 health) | $180K |
| 7 | 28609 | Catawba | 66 | C | 1 (1 health) | $229K |
| 8 | 28634 | Harmony | 63 | C | 0 | $126K |
| 9 | 28682 | Terrell | 63 | C | 0 | $595K |
| 10 | 28601 | Hickory | 61 | C | 3 (1 health) | $236K |
| 11 | 28660 | Olin | 53 | D | 0 | $190K |
| 12 | 28688 | Turnersburg | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 13 | 28699 | Scotts | 53 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Catawba County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- 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 Catawba County, North Carolina
Overview
Catawba County in North Carolina covers 13 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (66/100).
8 of 13 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 8 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.