Out of 1,027 ZIP codes with data in North Carolina, these are the highest-ranked areas for ej index. See also: National ZIP Codes with Highest Environmental Justice Concern | All North Carolina Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 1,027 |
| Highest value | 88/100 |
| Median value | 38/100 |
| State | North Carolina |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | EJ Index | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28801 | Asheville | NC | 88/100 | 25/100 |
| 2 | 27701 | Durham | NC | 80/100 | 87/100 |
| 3 | 28540 | Jacksonville | NC | 80/100 | 74/100 |
| 4 | 28546 | Jacksonville | NC | 80/100 | 79/100 |
| 5 | 28640 | Jefferson | NC | 78/100 | 76/100 |
| 6 | 27379 | Yanceyville | NC | 75/100 | 53/100 |
| 7 | 27401 | Greensboro | NC | 75/100 | 85/100 |
| 8 | 27536 | Henderson | NC | 75/100 | 43/100 |
| 9 | 28301 | Fayetteville | NC | 75/100 | 84/100 |
| 10 | 28345 | Hamlet | NC | 75/100 | 73/100 |
| 11 | 28723 | Cullowhee | NC | 75/100 | 69/100 |
| 12 | 28364 | Maxton | NC | 74/100 | 74/100 |
| 13 | 28401 | Wilmington | NC | 74/100 | 83/100 |
| 14 | 28052 | Gastonia | NC | 72/100 | 77/100 |
| 15 | 28786 | Waynesville | NC | 72/100 | 70/100 |
| 16 | 28167 | Union Mills | NC | 71/100 | 58/100 |
| 17 | 27511 | Cary | NC | 70/100 | 59/100 |
| 18 | 27601 | Raleigh | NC | 70/100 | 61/100 |
| 19 | 27607 | Raleigh | NC | 70/100 | 51/100 |
| 20 | 28227 | Charlotte | NC | 70/100 | 78/100 |
| 21 | 28315 | Aberdeen | NC | 70/100 | 70/100 |
| 22 | 28739 | Hendersonville | NC | 70/100 | 56/100 |
| 23 | 28803 | Asheville | NC | 70/100 | 20/100 |
| 24 | 27025 | Madison | NC | 68/100 | 56/100 |
| 25 | 27229 | Candor | NC | 68/100 | 45/100 |
| 26 | 27288 | Eden | NC | 68/100 | 47/100 |
| 27 | 27316 | Ramseur | NC | 68/100 | 81/100 |
| 28 | 27320 | Reidsville | NC | 68/100 | 61/100 |
| 29 | 27325 | Robbins | NC | 68/100 | 78/100 |
| 30 | 27405 | Greensboro | NC | 68/100 | 85/100 |
| 31 | 27537 | Henderson | NC | 68/100 | 43/100 |
| 32 | 27555 | Micro | NC | 68/100 | 85/100 |
| 33 | 27845 | Jackson | NC | 68/100 | 82/100 |
| 34 | 27886 | Tarboro | NC | 68/100 | 45/100 |
| 35 | 28016 | Bessemer City | NC | 68/100 | 56/100 |
| 36 | 28150 | Shelby | NC | 68/100 | 52/100 |
| 37 | 28303 | Fayetteville | NC | 68/100 | 84/100 |
| 38 | 28779 | Sylva | NC | 68/100 | 70/100 |
| 39 | 28792 | Hendersonville | NC | 68/100 | 56/100 |
| 40 | 27563 | Norlina | NC | 67/100 | 71/100 |
| 41 | 27019 | Germanton | NC | 66/100 | 65/100 |
| 42 | 28001 | Albemarle | NC | 66/100 | 81/100 |
| 43 | 28379 | Rockingham | NC | 66/100 | 74/100 |
| 44 | 27209 | Biscoe | NC | 65/100 | 82/100 |
| 45 | 27801 | Rocky Mount | NC | 65/100 | 78/100 |
| 46 | 27831 | Garysburg | NC | 64/100 | 86/100 |
| 47 | 27889 | Washington | NC | 64/100 | 74/100 |
| 48 | 28144 | Salisbury | NC | 64/100 | 64/100 |
| 49 | 28206 | Charlotte | NC | 62/100 | 73/100 |
| 50 | 28208 | Charlotte | NC | 62/100 | 73/100 |
| 51 | 28212 | Charlotte | NC | 62/100 | 78/100 |
| 52 | 28213 | Charlotte | NC | 62/100 | 78/100 |
| 53 | 28625 | Statesville | NC | 62/100 | 73/100 |
| 54 | 28677 | Statesville | NC | 62/100 | 68/100 |
| 55 | 27028 | Mocksville | NC | 60/100 | 94/100 |
| 56 | 27330 | Sanford | NC | 60/100 | 85/100 |
| 57 | 27349 | Snow Camp | NC | 60/100 | 84/100 |
| 58 | 27371 | Troy | NC | 60/100 | 79/100 |
| 59 | 27403 | Greensboro | NC | 60/100 | 85/100 |
| 60 | 27406 | Greensboro | NC | 60/100 | 85/100 |
| 61 | 27407 | Greensboro | NC | 60/100 | 80/100 |
| 62 | 27409 | Greensboro | NC | 60/100 | 90/100 |
| 63 | 27525 | Franklinton | NC | 60/100 | 64/100 |
| 64 | 27542 | Kenly | NC | 60/100 | 68/100 |
| 65 | 27557 | Middlesex | NC | 60/100 | 88/100 |
| 66 | 27576 | Selma | NC | 60/100 | 86/100 |
| 67 | 27605 | Raleigh | NC | 60/100 | 61/100 |
| 68 | 27610 | Raleigh | NC | 60/100 | 51/100 |
| 69 | 27704 | Durham | NC | 60/100 | 82/100 |
| 70 | 27807 | Bailey | NC | 60/100 | 85/100 |
| 71 | 27822 | Elm City | NC | 60/100 | 57/100 |
| 72 | 27823 | Enfield | NC | 60/100 | 83/100 |
| 73 | 27856 | Nashville | NC | 60/100 | 74/100 |
| 74 | 27944 | Hertford | NC | 60/100 | 82/100 |
| 75 | 28034 | Dallas | NC | 60/100 | 76/100 |
| 76 | 28040 | Ellenboro | NC | 60/100 | 45/100 |
| 77 | 28128 | Norwood | NC | 60/100 | 80/100 |
| 78 | 28215 | Charlotte | NC | 60/100 | 68/100 |
| 79 | 28372 | Pembroke | NC | 60/100 | 89/100 |
| 80 | 28425 | Burgaw | NC | 60/100 | 55/100 |
| 81 | 28431 | Chadbourn | NC | 60/100 | 89/100 |
| 82 | 28515 | Bayboro | NC | 60/100 | 67/100 |
| 83 | 28657 | Newland | NC | 60/100 | 62/100 |
| 84 | 28722 | Columbus | NC | 60/100 | 66/100 |
| 85 | 28741 | Highlands | NC | 60/100 | 78/100 |
| 86 | 28748 | Leicester | NC | 60/100 | 67/100 |
| 87 | 28805 | Asheville | NC | 60/100 | 25/100 |
| 88 | 28806 | Asheville | NC | 60/100 | 25/100 |
| 89 | 28904 | Hayesville | NC | 60/100 | 66/100 |
| 90 | 28325 | Calypso | NC | 59/100 | 86/100 |
| 91 | 27248 | Franklinville | NC | 58/100 | 77/100 |
| 92 | 27502 | Apex | NC | 58/100 | 82/100 |
| 93 | 28456 | Riegelwood | NC | 58/100 | 68/100 |
| 94 | 28501 | Kinston | NC | 58/100 | 67/100 |
| 95 | 27962 | Plymouth | NC | 57/100 | 78/100 |
| 96 | 27871 | Robersonville | NC | 56/100 | 81/100 |
| 97 | 27882 | Spring Hope | NC | 56/100 | 92/100 |
| 98 | 27892 | Williamston | NC | 56/100 | 79/100 |
| 99 | 27967 | Powellsville | NC | 56/100 | 87/100 |
| 100 | 27970 | Roper | NC | 56/100 | 79/100 |
Methodology
The Environmental Justice Index combines environmental risk factors (water violations, lead, flooding) with socioeconomic vulnerability indicators. Higher values indicate communities facing disproportionate environmental burden. This metric highlights areas where infrastructure investment and policy attention are most needed.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Environmental Justice Index?
The EJ Index identifies communities that face disproportionate environmental hazards relative to their socioeconomic resilience. Areas with high violation counts, aging infrastructure, AND vulnerable populations score highest. These areas need the most infrastructure investment.
Why does environmental justice matter for homebuyers?
High EJ Index areas often have deferred infrastructure maintenance, slower violation resolution, and less access to clean water alternatives. For homebuyers, this means potential hidden costs for water filtration, flood insurance, and home remediation.
Explore More Rankings
- Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Water in North Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Most EPA Violations in North Carolina
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- Safest ZIP Codes in North Carolina — Highest Safety Scores
- ZIP Codes with Highest Flood Risk in North Carolina
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- ZIP Codes with Highest Radon Risk in North Carolina
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- ZIP Codes with Worst CO & Gas Risk in North Carolina
- Safest ZIP Codes for Gas & CO Risk in North Carolina
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- Safest ZIP Codes for Wildfire Smoke in North Carolina
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