Clay County, North Carolina
2 ZIP codes · Avg score 65/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Clay County's water quality grade reflects a middle-ground assessment — its 2 ZIP codes range from fully compliant to violation-flagged.
How Clay County Compares
How Clay County Compares
Clay County scores 8 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 3 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.4 (asthma 10.5%, diabetes 14.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,480, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.3% avg pipe failure probability
39.5% 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: $1,480
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
6,771 housing units in Clay 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 Clay County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Clay 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 Clay 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 Clay County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Company Water & Sewer District | 1,965 | 6 |
| 2 | Chatuge Village | 267 | 6 |
| 3 | The Ridges at Mountain Harbor | 160 | 6 |
| 4 | Eagle's View S/d | 127 | 6 |
| 5 | 64 East Apartments | 50 | 6 |
All ZIP Codes in Clay County
2 ZIP codes tracked in Clay County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28904 | Hayesville | 66 | C | 6 (1 health) | $267K |
| 2 | 28909 | Warne | 63 | C | 0 | $223K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Clay 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 Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Overview
Clay County in North Carolina covers 2 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (65/100).
1 of 2 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation 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.