Nelson County, Virginia
11 ZIP codes · Avg score 65/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Nelson County's water quality grade reflects a middle-ground assessment — its 11 ZIP codes range from fully compliant to violation-flagged.
How Nelson County Compares
How Nelson County Compares
Nelson County scores 1 points below the Virginia state average (66/100) and 3 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Nelson County, Virginia
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.7 (asthma 10.5%, diabetes 15.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $811, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.327% avg pipe failure probability, 10% of ZIPs at high risk
54.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Nelson County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 3 violations. Past 5 years: 10 total (10 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
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: $811
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
9,624 housing units in Nelson 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 Nelson County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Nelson 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 Nelson 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 Nelson County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NCSA - WINTERGREEN | 6,861 | 26 |
| 2 | Ncsa - Lovingston | 2,493 | 26 |
| 3 | Ncsa - Schuyler | 480 | 26 |
| 4 | Nelson County - Piney River | 405 | 26 |
| 5 | Ncsa - Gladstone | 51 | 26 |
6 total water systems serve Nelson County.
All ZIP Codes in Nelson County
11 ZIP codes tracked in Nelson County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22967 | Roseland | 83 | B | 0 | $256K |
| 2 | 22949 | Lovingston | 72 | B | 26 (8 health) | $259K |
| 3 | 22922 | Arrington | 63 | C | 0 | $210K |
| 4 | 22937 | Esmont | 63 | C | 0 | $276K |
| 5 | 22938 | Faber | 63 | C | 0 | $250K |
| 6 | 22958 | Nellysford | 63 | C | 0 | $490K |
| 7 | 22969 | Schuyler | 63 | C | 0 | $254K |
| 8 | 22971 | Shipman | 63 | C | 0 | $273K |
| 9 | 22976 | Tyro | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 10 | 24581 | Norwood | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 11 | 24464 | Montebello | 53 | D | 0 | $563K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Nelson County
Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 54.4% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Nelson County, Virginia
Overview
Nelson County in Virginia covers 11 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (65/100).
1 of 11 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations have been documented.
← 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.