Gaston County, North Carolina
18 ZIP codes · Avg score 71/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04
Gaston County — 18 ZIP codes, above-average safety grade.
How Gaston County Compares
How Gaston County Compares
Gaston County scores 2 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 3 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Gaston 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: 13.5 (asthma 11.1%, diabetes 12.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $798, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.364% avg pipe failure probability, 17% of ZIPs at high risk
52.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Gaston County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 31 violations. Past 5 years: 54 total (54 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: $798
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
103,963 housing units in Gaston 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 Gaston County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Gaston 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 Gaston 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 Gaston County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Two Rivers Utilities | 93,877 | 95 |
| 2 | Ranlo, Town of | 4,511 | 53 |
| 3 | City of Bessemer City, | 5,690 | 48 |
| 4 | Hickory Creek/ Starrland W/s | 528 | 45 |
| 5 | Country Acres/southgate | 665 | 45 |
37 total water systems serve Gaston County.
All ZIP Codes in Gaston County
18 ZIP codes tracked in Gaston County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28053 | Gastonia | 82 | B | 9 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 28055 | Gastonia | 82 | B | 9 (1 health) | — |
| 3 | 28056 | Gastonia | 82 | B | 9 (1 health) | $284K |
| 4 | 28164 | Stanley | 82 | B | 8 (1 health) | $269K |
| 5 | 28021 | Cherryville | 81 | B | 11 (2 health) | $196K |
| 6 | 28052 | Gastonia | 77 | B | 9 (1 health) | $174K |
| 7 | 28054 | Gastonia | 77 | B | 9 (1 health) | $220K |
| 8 | 28034 | Dallas | 76 | B | 21 (4 health) | $221K |
| 9 | 28120 | Mount Holly | 76 | B | 4 | $273K |
| 10 | 28077 | High Shoals | 72 | B | 1 | $131K |
| 11 | 28098 | Lowell | 71 | B | 8 (1 health) | $153K |
| 12 | 28012 | Belmont | 70 | B | 3 | $324K |
| 13 | 28032 | Cramerton | 63 | C | 0 | $274K |
| 14 | 28080 | Iron Station | 63 | C | 0 | $231K |
| 15 | 28016 | Bessemer City | 56 | C | 18 (7 health) | $188K |
| 16 | 28033 | Crouse | 53 | D | 0 | $205K |
| 17 | 28101 | Mc Adenville | 53 | D | 0 | $342K |
| 18 | 28169 | Waco | 53 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Gaston County
Editorial methodology pairs each documented risk in this county with the buyer category that addresses it, drawing on water-quality detections, housing-stock lead exposure, EPA Radon Zone designation, and FEMA flood and wildfire ratings. NSF-certified options surface where applicable, and products that match the specific contaminant take priority.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 52.1% 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 Gaston County, North Carolina
Overview
Gaston County in North Carolina covers 18 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (71/100).
13 of 18 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 20 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.