Vance County, North Carolina
4 ZIP codes · Avg score 54/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to state averages, Vance County scores below the baseline — health violations appear more frequently than the norm across its 4 ZIP codes.
How Vance County Compares
How Vance County Compares
Vance County scores 19 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 14 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.8 (asthma 12%, diabetes 16.8%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,035, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.448% avg pipe failure probability, 75% of ZIPs at high risk
62.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Vance County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 16 total (16 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: $1,035
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
19,880 housing units in Vance 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 Vance County
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 Vance 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 Vance County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henderson-kerr Lake Reg Wtr | 14,937 | 68 |
| 2 | Vance Company Water District Phase 1 | 1,580 | 60 |
| 3 | Vance Company Water District Phase 2 | 1,376 | 60 |
| 4 | Knoll Terrace Mhp | 254 | 60 |
| 5 | Hunter`s Ridge S/d | 81 | 60 |
8 total water systems serve Vance County.
All ZIP Codes in Vance County
4 ZIP codes tracked in Vance County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27544 | Kittrell | 75 | B | 8 | $163K |
| 2 | 27556 | Middleburg | 53 | D | 0 | $82K |
| 3 | 27536 | Henderson | 43 | D | 30 (6 health) | $121K |
| 4 | 27537 | Henderson | 43 | D | 30 (6 health) | $151K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Vance County
Eight risk categories drive the selection — PFAS exceedance, lead above EPA action level, pre-1978 housing share, EPA Radon Zone 1, flood-top-risk, wildfire-top-risk, multi-contaminant load, and a baseline fallback — and each category maps to a specific buyer-guide track that surfaces when the county data hits its threshold for that hazard signal.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 2 ZIP codes
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 62.8% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Overview
Vance County in North Carolina covers 4 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (54/100).
3 of 4 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 12 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.
What You Can Do
Vance County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
62.8% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.