Cleveland County, North Carolina
13 ZIP codes · Avg score 60/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
While Cleveland County avoids the worst tiers, a portion of its 13 ZIP codes have logged violations.
How Cleveland County Compares
How Cleveland County Compares
Cleveland County scores 13 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 8 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Cleveland 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: 14.7 (asthma 11.5%, diabetes 13.6%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $721, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.399% avg pipe failure probability, 58% of ZIPs at high risk
63.9% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Cleveland County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 13 violations. Past 5 years: 22 total (22 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.
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: $721
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
46,622 housing units in Cleveland 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 Cleveland County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CLEVELAND COUNTY WATER | 58,755 | 34 |
| 2 | Boiling Springs, Town of | 4,769 | 19 |
| 3 | City of Shelby, | 23,577 | 18 |
| 4 | Shady Rest Mhp | 69 | 18 |
| 5 | Daniel Morgan Wtr District-nc | 376 | 17 |
22 total water systems serve Cleveland County.
All ZIP Codes in Cleveland County
13 ZIP codes tracked in Cleveland County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28017 | Boiling Springs | 82 | B | 2 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 28086 | Kings Mountain | 81 | B | 4 (2 health) | $182K |
| 3 | 28073 | Grover | 72 | B | 0 | $126K |
| 4 | 28114 | Mooresboro | 71 | B | 11 (2 health) | $132K |
| 5 | 28090 | Lawndale | 58 | C | 1 | $140K |
| 6 | 28020 | Casar | 53 | D | 0 | $177K |
| 7 | 28038 | Earl | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 8 | 28042 | Fallston | 53 | D | 0 | $91K |
| 9 | 28089 | Lattimore | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 10 | 28136 | Polkville | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 11 | 28150 | Shelby | 52 | D | 6 (1 health) | $196K |
| 12 | 28152 | Shelby | 52 | D | 6 (1 health) | $188K |
| 13 | 28151 | Shelby | 49 | D | 6 (1 health) | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Cleveland County
Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 63.9% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cleveland County, North Carolina
Overview
Cleveland County in North Carolina covers 13 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (60/100).
7 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.