Macon County, North Carolina
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 79/100 · Grade B · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Macon County: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Water systems in Macon County serve 5 ZIP codes with few reported safety events.
How Macon County Compares
How Macon County Compares
Macon County scores 1 points above the North Carolina state average (78/100) and 6 points above the national average (73/100).
Data: ZipCheckup Home Safety Score model 4.0.0; EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, EPA radon zones, EPA AirData Last verified:
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Macon 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: 15.3 (asthma 10.6%, diabetes 14.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,286, driven primarily by flood
49% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Macon County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 7 violations. Past 5 years: 10 total (10 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
Modeled area-level indicator, not a failure probability. Sources: Census ACS housing age, EPA DWINS infrastructure needs, EPA SDWIS violations, and EPA lead indicators.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,286
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
26,526 housing units in Macon 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 Macon County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Macon 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 Macon County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water systems serving Macon County
8 community water systems serving Macon County.
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
Show all 8 water systems
- B
- B
Systems with the most violations in Macon County
5 water systems with recorded EPA violations.
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
All ZIP Codes in Macon County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Macon County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28734 | Franklin | 81 | B | 6 (2 health) | $204K |
| 2 | 28741 | Highlands | 77 | B | 14 (4 health) | $596K |
| 3 | 28744 | Franklin | — | — | — | |
| 4 | 28763 | Otto | — | — | 3 (2 health) | $253K |
| 5 | 28775 | Scaly Mountain | — | — | $418K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Macon 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 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 Macon County, North Carolina
Overview
Macon County in North Carolina covers 5 tracked ZIP records with an average Home Safety Score of B (79/100) across 2 scored records.
3 of 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
← Back to North Carolina Home Safety Profile
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- PFAS screening: EPA UCMR 5
- Radon zones: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Air quality: EPA AirData annual AQI
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.