New Hanover County, North Carolina
17 ZIP codes · Avg score 82/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04
Throughout New Hanover County, the 17 monitored ZIP codes show low violation rates and healthy safety scores — a pattern that puts the county well above the state baseline for drinking water quality.
How New Hanover County Compares
How New Hanover County Compares
New Hanover County scores 9 points above the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 14 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: New Hanover 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: 12.1 (asthma 10.5%, diabetes 10.6%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $3,288, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.345% avg pipe failure probability, 12% of ZIPs at high risk
45.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across New Hanover County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 26 violations. Past 5 years: 28 total (28 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: $3,288
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
117,370 housing units in New Hanover 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 New Hanover County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in New Hanover 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 New Hanover 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 New Hanover County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cfpua-wilmington | 198,740 | 200 |
| 2 | Cfpua - Wrightsville Beach | 5,300 | 189 |
| 3 | The Cape Master System | 11,587 | 187 |
| 4 | Figure 8 Island | 999 | 187 |
| 5 | Silver Bluff Nursing Home | 300 | 187 |
24 total water systems serve New Hanover County.
All ZIP Codes in New Hanover County
17 ZIP codes tracked in New Hanover County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28407 | Wilmington | 97 | A | 17 (2 health) | — |
| 2 | 28408 | Wilmington | 97 | A | 17 (2 health) | — |
| 3 | 28410 | Wilmington | 97 | A | 17 (2 health) | — |
| 4 | 27830 | Fremont | 94 | A | 9 (1 health) | $160K |
| 5 | 28404 | Wilmington | 93 | A | 17 (2 health) | — |
| 6 | 28406 | Wilmington | 93 | A | 17 (2 health) | — |
| 7 | 28401 | Wilmington | 83 | B | 17 (2 health) | $263K |
| 8 | 28449 | Kure Beach | 80 | B | 0 | $643K |
| 9 | 28403 | Wilmington | 78 | B | 17 (2 health) | $338K |
| 10 | 28405 | Wilmington | 78 | B | 17 (2 health) | $337K |
| 11 | 28412 | Wilmington | 78 | B | 17 (2 health) | $343K |
| 12 | 28480 | Wrightsville Beach | 74 | B | 2 (1 health) | $1050K |
| 13 | 27650 | Raleigh | 73 | B | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 14 | 28409 | Wilmington | 73 | B | 17 (2 health) | $383K |
| 15 | 28411 | Wilmington | 73 | B | 17 (2 health) | $364K |
| 16 | 28428 | Carolina Beach | 70 | B | 4 | $490K |
| 17 | 28429 | Castle Hayne | 67 | C | 13 (1 health) | $232K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for New Hanover County
If FEMA records flag flood-top-risk status or EPA samples show PFAS exceedances, the matching logic lifts emergency-water and PFAS-rated filtration into the recommendations — federal data drives the order, not retailer arrangements.
- 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 New Hanover County, North Carolina
Overview
New Hanover County in North Carolina covers 17 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (82/100).
16 of 17 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 32 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.