Carter County, Tennessee
6 ZIP codes · Avg score 74/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Carter County earns a high water safety grade — 6 ZIP codes tracked, virtually all compliant.
How Carter County Compares
How Carter County Compares
Carter County scores 5 points above the Tennessee state average (69/100) and 6 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Carter County, Tennessee
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 16.5 (asthma 11.3%, diabetes 15.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,602, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.303% avg pipe failure probability
56.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
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: $1,602
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
23,718 housing units in Carter 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 Carter County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Carter 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 Carter 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 Carter County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hampton Utility District | 3,529 | 7 |
| 2 | South Elizabethton U.d. | 6,154 | 6 |
| 3 | Elizabethton Water Department | 32,490 | 4 |
| 4 | First U.d. of Carter County | 9,143 | 4 |
| 5 | Siam Utility District | 3,319 | 4 |
12 total water systems serve Carter County.
All ZIP Codes in Carter County
6 ZIP codes tracked in Carter County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 37644 | Elizabethton | 82 | B | 2 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 37640 | Butler | 78 | B | 1 | $154K |
| 3 | 37658 | Hampton | 76 | B | 2 | $116K |
| 4 | 37643 | Elizabethton | 72 | B | 2 (1 health) | $156K |
| 5 | 37687 | Roan Mountain | 72 | B | 3 | $148K |
| 6 | 37694 | Watauga | 63 | C | 0 | $166K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Carter County
Filtered against EPA monitoring data and CDC lead-exposure guidance, the guides below skip the generic catalog and connect directly to the contaminants and hazards on file here.
- Best Water Filters for PFAS — PFAS detected in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 56.6% of homes built before 1978
- 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 Carter County, Tennessee
Overview
Carter County in Tennessee covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (74/100).
5 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Tennessee 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.