Highland County, Virginia
6 ZIP codes · Avg score 49/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Water safety in Highland County ranks low — 6 ZIP codes, persistent health-based violations on record.
How Highland County Compares
How Highland County Compares
Highland County scores 17 points below the Virginia state average (66/100) and 19 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Highland County, Virginia
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.2 (asthma 10%, diabetes 15.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $888, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.35% avg pipe failure probability
65.6% 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: $888
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
1,652 housing units in Highland 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 Highland County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Highland 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 Highland County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
All ZIP Codes in Highland County
6 ZIP codes tracked in Highland County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24465 | Monterey | 70 | B | 0 | $209K |
| 2 | 24442 | Head Waters | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 3 | 24458 | Mc Dowell | 53 | D | 0 | $199K |
| 4 | 24413 | Blue Grass | 40 | D | 0 | $181K |
| 5 | 24433 | Doe Hill | 40 | D | 0 | $227K |
| 6 | 24468 | Mustoe | 40 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Highland County
Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 65.6% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Highland County, Virginia
Overview
Highland County in Virginia covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (49/100).
No EPA violations recorded across any tracked ZIP codes in Highland County.
← Back to Virginia 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
Highland 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
65.6% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.