Mitchell County, North Carolina
3 ZIP codes · Avg score 67/100 · Grade C
ZipCheckup grade for Mitchell County: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
For Mitchell County, the grade is neither top-tier nor bottom-tier; it summarizes data for 3 ZIP codes rather than measuring water at any home, and because it blends several sources, a middle result can come from very different mixes of strengths and weaknesses.
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
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.6 (asthma 10.6%, diabetes 12.8%)
Modeled additional annual cost estimate per homeowner: $1,027, largest modeled factor: Flood
52% of homes built before 1980 (lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978)
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 DWINSA infrastructure needs, EPA SDWIS violations, and EPA lead indicators.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,027
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
Modeled remediation costs in Mitchell County can be compared with the median property value; actual costs vary by property.
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 mapped to Mitchell County ZIP codes
2 community water systems mapped to Mitchell County ZIP codes; EPA may list more systems serving the county.
- C
Systems with the most violations in Mitchell County
1 water system with violations in EPA records.
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
When no specific signal shows up in the records, the list falls back to general water testing and filtration guides rather than staying empty.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 52% of homes built before 1980
- 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.