COUNTY REPORT NC

Transylvania County, North Carolina

7 ZIP codes · Avg score 58/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04

Monitoring figures for Transylvania County indicate average water quality overall — some ZIP codes among the 7 tracked have recorded health-based violations, while others operate cleanly, making individual ZIP-level data the most actionable reference point.

How Transylvania County Compares

Transylvania County58/100
North Carolina avg73/100
National avg68/100

How Transylvania County Compares

C
County Grade
58/100
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
14
Water Systems

Transylvania County scores 15 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 10 points below the national average (68/100).

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

C
County Grade
58
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 28747 (69/100)
Lowest ZIP: 28766 (53/100)
$260K
Median Home Value
$3,371
Avg Remediation (129% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Transylvania 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: 14.4 (asthma 10.3%, diabetes 12.9%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,241, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.344% avg pipe failure probability

47.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2023–2024)

→ Stable trend

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

2023
1 (1 health)
2024
8 (8 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 9 total (9 health-based).

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

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10.3% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.9% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 33.7% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1989
Median Build Year
47.3%
Pre-1978 Housing
34%
Pipe Failure Probability
0%
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: $1,241

Flood $714/yr
Energy Code Gap $270/yr
Wildfire $171/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

18,259 housing units in Transylvania County

Pre-1940 4%
1940–1959 13%
1960–1979 28%
1980–1999 33%
2000+ 22%

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 Transylvania County

$260K
Median Home Value
$3,371
Est. Remediation Cost
1.3%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Transylvania 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 Transylvania County residents

Asthma 10.3% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.9% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 33.7% (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 Transylvania County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 The Wilds Camp 450 26
2 Sapphire Lakes Development 724 19
3 Rosman, Town of 650 19
4 Ridge Haven Conference Center 100 19
5 Glenlaurel Preserve - Rosman 35 19

14 total water systems serve Transylvania County.

All ZIP Codes in Transylvania County

7 ZIP codes tracked in Transylvania County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 28747 Lake Toxaway 69 C 7 (1 health) $256K
2 28768 Pisgah Forest 64 C 2 $300K
3 28712 Brevard 58 C 7 (1 health) $373K
4 28772 Rosman 58 C 19 (4 health) $258K
5 28708 Balsam Grove 53 D 0 $260K
6 28718 Cedar Mountain 53 D 0 $233K
7 28766 Penrose 53 D 0 $293K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Transylvania 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.

Overview

Transylvania County in North Carolina covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (58/100).

4 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to North Carolina water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Transylvania County?
Transylvania County receives a grade of C. Some ZIP codes have recorded violations and residents in affected areas may want to test their water.
How many water systems serve Transylvania County?
Transylvania County is served by 14 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 7 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Transylvania County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Transylvania County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,241 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Transylvania County?
The median home build year in Transylvania County is 1989. 47.3% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Transylvania County compare to North Carolina?
Transylvania County has an average water safety score of 58/100, which is below the North Carolina state average of 73/100.

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