Orange County, North Carolina
9 ZIP codes · Avg score 76/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Orange: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Orange County's tap water quality puts it in the upper tier nationally; the 9 ZIP codes here record few health-based violations.
How Orange County Compares
How Orange County Compares
Orange County scores 3 points above the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 8 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-07-19
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Orange 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: 10.5 (asthma 10.2%, diabetes 9.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,684, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.424% avg pipe failure probability, 44% of ZIPs at high risk
43.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Orange County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 34 violations. Past 5 years: 65 total (65 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: $1,684
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
65,329 housing units in Orange 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 Orange County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Orange 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 Orange County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water systems serving Orange County
8 community water systems serving Orange County.
- C
- B
- C
- A
- B
- B
Show all 8 water systems
- B
- B
18 total water systems serve Orange County.
Systems with the most violations in Orange County
5 water systems with recorded EPA violations.
- C
- B
- B
- B
- B
All ZIP Codes in Orange County
9 ZIP codes tracked in Orange County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27243 | Efland | 91 | A | 11 (1 health) | $264K |
| 2 | 27510 | Carrboro | 86 | A | 7 (1 health) | $439K |
| 3 | 27278 | Hillsborough | 81 | B | 13 (1 health) | $380K |
| 4 | 27515 | Chapel Hill | 76 | B | 51 (10 health) | — |
| 5 | 27599 | Chapel Hill | 75 | B | 51 (10 health) | — |
| 6 | 27231 | Cedar Grove | 73 | B | 0 | $217K |
| 7 | 27516 | Chapel Hill | 71 | B | 51 (10 health) | $508K |
| 8 | 27517 | Chapel Hill | 66 | C | 51 (10 health) | $572K |
| 9 | 27514 | Chapel Hill | 61 | C | 51 (10 health) | $629K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Orange County
Editorial methodology pairs each documented risk in this county with the buyer category that addresses it, drawing on water-quality detections, housing-stock lead exposure, EPA Radon Zone designation, and FEMA flood and wildfire ratings. NSF-certified options surface where applicable, and products that match the specific contaminant take priority.
- 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 Orange County, North Carolina
Overview
Orange County in North Carolina covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (76/100).
8 of 9 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 53 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.