COUNTY REPORT NC

Richmond County, North Carolina

5 ZIP codes · Avg score 72/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04

Although county size varies, Richmond County's 5 ZIP codes share reliably safe tap water records and above-average compliance scores.

How Richmond County Compares

Richmond County72/100
North Carolina avg73/100
National avg68/100

How Richmond County Compares

B
County Grade
72/100
Avg Safety Score
5
ZIP Codes
5
Water Systems

Richmond County scores 1 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 4 points above the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04

B
County Grade
72
Avg Safety Score
5
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 28380 (79/100)
Lowest ZIP: 28363 (66/100)
$99K
Median Home Value
$2,000
Avg Remediation (202% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Richmond County, North Carolina

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 16.3 (asthma 12.1%, diabetes 16.4%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $2,138, driven primarily by sea_level

Infrastructure: 0.41% avg pipe failure probability, 40% of ZIPs at high risk

63.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

↓ Improving trend

EPA violation counts by year across Richmond County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
11 (11 health)
2022
15 (15 health)
2023
9 (9 health)
2024
6 (6 health)
2025
6 (6 health)

Peak year: 2022 with 15 violations. Past 5 years: 47 total (47 health-based). Health-based violations are declining versus the prior 2-year window.

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 12.1% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 16.4% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 42.9% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1976
Median Build Year
63.3%
Pre-1978 Housing
41%
Pipe Failure Probability
40%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $2,138

Sea Level Rise $1,200/yr
Energy Code Gap $378/yr
Flood $360/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

17,560 housing units in Richmond County

Pre-1940 7%
1940–1959 17%
1960–1979 36%
1980–1999 26%
2000+ 14%

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 Richmond County

$99K
Median Home Value
$2,000
Est. Remediation Cost
2.0%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value moderate burden

Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.

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 Richmond County residents

Asthma 12.1% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 16.4% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 42.9% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Richmond County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 RICHMOND COUNTY WATER SYSTEM 22,387 25
2 City of Rockingham, 12,510 25
3 Hamlet Water System 10,635 20
4 Scotland Company Water - North 1,219 15
5 Scotland Company Water-south 1,905 0

All ZIP Codes in Richmond County

5 ZIP codes tracked in Richmond County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 28380 Rockingham 79 B 5 (2 health)
2 28379 Rockingham 74 B 5 (2 health) $137K
3 28345 Hamlet 73 B 15 (11 health) $96K
4 28330 Cordova 66 C 0
5 28363 Marston 66 C 0 $99K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Richmond County

Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.

Overview

Richmond County in North Carolina covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (72/100).

3 of 5 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 15 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to North Carolina water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Richmond County?
Richmond County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 5 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Richmond County?
Richmond County is served by 5 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 5 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Richmond County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Richmond County is sea_level. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $2,138 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Richmond County?
The median home build year in Richmond County is 1976. 63.3% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Richmond County compare to North Carolina?
Richmond County has an average water safety score of 72/100, which is below the North Carolina state average of 73/100.

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