Wake County, North Carolina
54 ZIP codes · Avg score 60/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
The systems supplying Wake County's 54 ZIP codes vary in performance — most meet minimum standards, but violations in select areas are on record.
How Wake County Compares
How Wake County Compares
Wake County scores 13 points below the North Carolina state average (73/100) and 8 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Wake 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: 10.7 (asthma 10.2%, diabetes 9.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $854, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.326% avg pipe failure probability, 2% of ZIPs at high risk
Violation History (2022–2025)
↓ Improving trendEPA violation counts by year across Wake County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 89 violations. Past 5 years: 132 total (132 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
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: $854
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Wake County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Wake 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 Wake 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 Wake County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayleaf Master | 15,585 | 3619 |
| 2 | City of Raleigh, | 640,000 | 3165 |
| 3 | Stonehenge S/d | 1,840 | 2964 |
| 4 | Vance Company Water District Phase 1 | 1,580 | 2964 |
| 5 | Middlesex Water System | 1,389 | 2964 |
62 total water systems serve Wake County.
All ZIP Codes in Wake County
54 ZIP codes tracked in Wake County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27502 | Apex | 82 | B | 13 (1 health) | $492K |
| 2 | 27523 | Apex | 82 | B | 13 (1 health) | $586K |
| 3 | 27539 | Apex | 82 | B | 13 (1 health) | $494K |
| 4 | 27571 | Rolesville | 82 | B | 2 | $442K |
| 5 | 27545 | Knightdale | 78 | B | 18 (5 health) | $301K |
| 6 | 27591 | Wendell | 76 | B | 12 (1 health) | $288K |
| 7 | 27587 | Wake Forest | 74 | B | 10 (1 health) | $452K |
| 8 | 27519 | Cary | 69 | C | 129 (5 health) | $614K |
| 9 | 27540 | Holly Springs | 67 | C | 6 | $475K |
| 10 | 27512 | Cary | 66 | C | 129 (5 health) | — |
| 11 | 27513 | Cary | 64 | C | 129 (5 health) | $468K |
| 12 | 27601 | Raleigh | 61 | C | 78 (7 health) | $573K |
| 13 | 27605 | Raleigh | 61 | C | 78 (7 health) | $440K |
| 14 | 27614 | Raleigh | 61 | C | 78 (7 health) | $530K |
| 15 | 27616 | Raleigh | 61 | C | 78 (7 health) | $315K |
| 16 | 27617 | Raleigh | 61 | C | 78 (7 health) | $448K |
| 17 | 27622 | Raleigh | 61 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 18 | 27623 | Raleigh | 61 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 19 | 27626 | Raleigh | 61 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 20 | 27628 | Raleigh | 61 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 21 | 27629 | Raleigh | 61 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 22 | 27511 | Cary | 59 | C | 129 (5 health) | $417K |
| 23 | 27518 | Cary | 59 | C | 129 (5 health) | $595K |
| 24 | 27603 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | $347K |
| 25 | 27613 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | $479K |
| 26 | 27615 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | $441K |
| 27 | 27619 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 28 | 27620 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 29 | 27624 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 30 | 27625 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 31 | 27627 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 32 | 27635 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 33 | 27636 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 34 | 27640 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 35 | 27656 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 36 | 27658 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 37 | 27661 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 38 | 27668 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 39 | 27675 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 40 | 27676 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 41 | 27690 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 42 | 27695 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 43 | 27697 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 44 | 27699 | Raleigh | 56 | C | 78 (7 health) | — |
| 45 | 28333 | Dudley | 55 | C | 0 | $93K |
| 46 | 27606 | Raleigh | 51 | D | 78 (7 health) | $424K |
| 47 | 27607 | Raleigh | 51 | D | 78 (7 health) | $639K |
| 48 | 27610 | Raleigh | 51 | D | 78 (7 health) | $260K |
| 49 | 27612 | Raleigh | 51 | D | 78 (7 health) | $482K |
| 50 | 28578 | Seven Springs | 50 | D | 0 | $87K |
| 51 | 27529 | Garner | 49 | D | 29 (9 health) | $326K |
| 52 | 27604 | Raleigh | 46 | D | 78 (7 health) | $293K |
| 53 | 27608 | Raleigh | 46 | D | 78 (7 health) | $911K |
| 54 | 27609 | Raleigh | 46 | D | 78 (7 health) | $441K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Wake County
Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.
- 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 Wake County, North Carolina
Overview
Wake County in North Carolina covers 54 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (60/100).
52 of 54 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 310 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.