Jackson County, North Carolina
12 ZIP codes · Avg score 68/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Jackson County: 12 ZIP codes, mid-range safety grade.
How Jackson County Compares
How Jackson County Compares
Jackson County scores 5 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 0 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Jackson 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: 13.9 (asthma 11.1%, diabetes 12.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,098, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.359% avg pipe failure probability, 20% of ZIPs at high risk
51.9% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Jackson County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 16 violations. Past 5 years: 22 total (22 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: $1,098
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
25,565 housing units in Jackson 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 Jackson County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuckaseigee Water & Sewer Authority | 7,528 | 54 |
| 2 | Highlands Cove S/d | 577 | 50 |
| 3 | Chinquapin Development | 259 | 39 |
| 4 | Western Carolina Univ Wtp | 7,800 | 35 |
| 5 | Mill Creek Estates Property Owners Asso. | 676 | 35 |
24 total water systems serve Jackson County.
All ZIP Codes in Jackson County
12 ZIP codes tracked in Jackson County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28707 | Balsam | 82 | B | 3 (1 health) | $204K |
| 2 | 28774 | Sapphire | 82 | B | 10 (1 health) | $723K |
| 3 | 28725 | Dillsboro | 81 | B | 1 | — |
| 4 | 28736 | Glenville | 78 | B | 4 | $295K |
| 5 | 28717 | Cashiers | 77 | B | 15 (1 health) | $410K |
| 6 | 28779 | Sylva | 70 | B | 17 (5 health) | $234K |
| 7 | 28723 | Cullowhee | 69 | C | 35 (6 health) | $309K |
| 8 | 28788 | Webster | 63 | C | 0 | $353K |
| 9 | 28789 | Whittier | 57 | C | 2 (1 health) | $221K |
| 10 | 28019 | Caroleen | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 11 | 28074 | Harris | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 12 | 28076 | Henrietta | 53 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Jackson 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 — 51.9% 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 Jackson County, North Carolina
Overview
Jackson County in North Carolina covers 12 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (68/100).
8 of 12 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 15 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.