Mitchell County, North Carolina
3 ZIP codes · Avg score 67/100 · Grade C · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Mitchell County: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Safe water is the norm for most of Mitchell County's 3 ZIP codes - but a notable subset have documented violations that push the grade to the middle tier.
How Mitchell County Compares
How Mitchell County Compares
Mitchell County scores 11 points below the North Carolina state average (78/100) and 6 points below 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:
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.6 (asthma 10.6%, diabetes 12.8%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,227, driven primarily by flood
61% 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
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: $1,227
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
8,764 housing units in Mitchell 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 Mitchell County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Mitchell 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 Mitchell County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water systems serving Mitchell County
2 community water systems serving Mitchell County.
- C
Systems with the most violations in Mitchell County
1 water system with recorded EPA violations.
All ZIP Codes in Mitchell County
3 ZIP codes tracked in Mitchell County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28777 | Spruce Pine | 67 | C | 0 | $206K |
| 2 | 28705 | Bakersville | — | — | 2 (1 health) | $202K |
| 3 | 28765 | Penland | — | — | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Mitchell County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 61% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Overview
Mitchell County in North Carolina covers 3 tracked ZIP records with an average Home Safety Score of C (67/100) across 1 scored records.
1 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation 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.