Madison County, North Carolina
4 ZIP codes · Avg score 65/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
Unlike top-rated counties, Madison County's 4 ZIP codes carry a fair number of documented violations — chlorine compliance and disinfection byproduct limits are the categories most often cited in recent data.
How Madison County Compares
How Madison County Compares
Madison 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: 2026-06-04
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.4 (asthma 10.6%, diabetes 11.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,478, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.34% avg pipe failure probability
52.5% 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: $1,478
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
12,883 housing units in Madison 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 Madison County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hot Springs, Town of | 887 | 12 |
| 2 | Fairview Water Assoc | 59 | 12 |
| 3 | MARS HILL, TOWN OF | 3,030 | 5 |
| 4 | Marshall, Town of | 1,402 | 3 |
| 5 | Wolf Laurel Resort | 1,819 | 2 |
All ZIP Codes in Madison County
4 ZIP codes tracked in Madison County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28743 | Hot Springs | 77 | B | 12 (1 health) | $151K |
| 2 | 28754 | Mars Hill | 68 | C | 2 | $290K |
| 3 | 28753 | Marshall | 64 | C | 3 | $247K |
| 4 | 28709 | Barnardsville | 50 | D | 0 | $360K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Madison County
While many sites publish identical guide lists across every county they cover, the selection here changes by location — driven by the EPA, NSF, FEMA, and CDC datasets that describe the actual conditions documented for this jurisdiction in the federal record.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 52.5% of homes built before 1978
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Overview
Madison County in North Carolina covers 4 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (65/100).
3 of 4 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.