Charlotte Metro Area Home Safety Report
189 ZIP codes · 2,140,834 residents · 155 water systems
Data source: EPA SDWIS, U.S. Census Bureau, FEMA NFIP Last verified: 2026-06-03
Grade Distribution
The Charlotte metropolitan area spans North Carolina, South Carolina and includes 189 ZIP codes served by 155 community water systems. We analyzed EPA compliance records, lead testing data, housing age, flood insurance claims, and radon risk for every ZIP in the metro to produce this report.
Metro-Wide Safety Score: B (76/100)
The Home Safety Score combines water quality, lead risk, radon exposure, and flood risk into a single 0-100 rating.
Grade Distribution
| Grade | ZIP Codes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A | 25 | 14% |
| B | 108 | 59% |
| C | 28 | 15% |
| D | 22 | 12% |
| F | 0 | 0% |
73% of ZIP codes in the Charlotte metro earned an A or B — above-average safety conditions for homebuyers.
Safest Neighborhoods (Top 10 ZIPs)
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28039 | East Spencer | 99 | A |
| 2 | 28174 | Wingate | 99 | A |
| 3 | 28097 | Locust | 98 | A |
| 4 | 28002 | Albemarle | 94 | A |
| 5 | 28111 | Monroe | 91 | A |
| 6 | 28112 | Monroe | 91 | A |
| 7 | 28031 | Cornelius | 88 | A |
| 8 | 28035 | Davidson | 88 | A |
| 9 | 28070 | Huntersville | 88 | A |
| 10 | 28026 | Concord | 87 | A |
The safest ZIP code is 28039 in East Spencer with a score of 99/100. These areas typically have newer infrastructure, fewer EPA violations, and lower environmental risk factors.
Highest-Risk Neighborhoods (Bottom 10 ZIPs)
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | Score | Grade | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28040 | Ellenboro | 45 | D | Lead exceeds EPA limit |
| 2 | 28151 | Shelby | 49 | D | 6 violations |
| 3 | 28152 | Shelby | 52 | D | 6 violations |
| 4 | 28150 | Shelby | 52 | D | 6 violations |
| 5 | 28018 | Bostic | 52 | D | Lead exceeds EPA limit |
| 6 | 28169 | Waco | 53 | D | — |
| 7 | 28160 | Spindale | 53 | D | — |
| 8 | 28136 | Polkville | 53 | D | — |
| 9 | 28130 | Paw Creek | 53 | D | — |
| 10 | 28126 | Newell | 53 | D | — |
If you are considering a home in these ZIP codes, we recommend requesting a water quality test, checking for lead service lines, and reviewing the full ZIP report before making an offer.
Most Common Contaminant Violations
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 1071 | 114 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 529 | 108 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 426 | 112 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 354 | 99 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 323 | 91 |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 296 | 74 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 117 | 98 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 97 | 90 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 20 | 13 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 16 | 8 |
4 of the top contaminants are health-based violations, meaning measured levels exceeded EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
Lead Risk Overview
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0067 mg/L (below EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L)
- 4 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
- 8% of housing built before 1950 (highest lead paint risk)
- 14% of housing built before 1970 (lead solder in plumbing)
- 41% of housing built before 1986 (potential lead pipes)
Flood Risk
- 3,575 FEMA flood insurance claims filed
- 99 ZIP codes with flood claims (52% of metro)
- $21,147 average payout per claim
- $75,599,139 total payouts
Water System Comparison
The Charlotte metro is served by 155 community water systems, drawing from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Major water systems include:
- Allen Mhp Llc
- Anson County Water System
- Ansonville Water System
- Archdale/tryon Mhp
- Badin Shores Resort
- Bahia Bay S/d
- Belmont Abbey College
- Boiling Springs, Town of
- Bostic, Town of
- Briar Creek S/d
- ...and 145 more systems
Water quality can vary significantly between systems. Always check the ZIP-level report for your specific address.
Radon Risk
| Zone | Risk Level | ZIP Codes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | High | 0 | 0% |
| Zone 2 | Moderate | 57 | 30% |
| Zone 3 | Low | 126 | 67% |
Is Charlotte Safe for Homebuyers?
Positive indicators: above-average metro safety score (B); majority of ZIP codes rated A or B.
Areas of concern: 956 health-based EPA violations on record; 4 ZIP codes exceed EPA lead limits.
Safety conditions vary widely within the metro. A ZIP code with an A grade may be just a few miles from one rated F. Always check your specific ZIP code before making a purchase decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water quality safety grade for the Charlotte metro area?
The Charlotte metro area has an average Home Safety Score of 76/100 (grade B). This score is based on EPA violation records, lead testing data, radon risk, and flood exposure across 189 ZIP codes.
How many EPA water violations are in the Charlotte area?
There are 3,263 total EPA violations across the Charlotte metro, with 956 being health-based violations. 143 out of 189 ZIP codes (76%) have at least one recorded violation.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Charlotte?
Water safety varies by ZIP code and water system. 4 ZIP codes in the metro exceed EPA lead action levels. The average lead level is 0.0067 mg/L (EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L). Check your specific ZIP code for a detailed report.
What percentage of homes in Charlotte have lead risk?
Approximately 41% of housing in the Charlotte metro was built before 1986, when lead pipes were still legal. 8% was built before 1950, the highest-risk category for lead paint. Homes in older neighborhoods should be tested for lead in both water and paint.
What is the flood risk in the Charlotte metro?
The Charlotte metro has recorded 3,575 FEMA flood insurance claims across 99 ZIP codes, with an average payout of $21,147 per claim. Check the FEMA flood map for your specific property.
Cities in the Charlotte Metro
- Charlotte, NC — 74 ZIP codes
- Gastonia, NC — 5 ZIP codes
- Salisbury, NC — 4 ZIP codes
- Concord, NC — 3 ZIP codes
- Kannapolis, NC — 3 ZIP codes
- Matthews, NC — 3 ZIP codes
- Monroe, NC — 3 ZIP codes
- Shelby, NC — 3 ZIP codes
- Albemarle, NC — 2 ZIP codes
- Davidson, NC — 2 ZIP codes
- Huntersville, NC — 2 ZIP codes
- Lincolnton, NC — 2 ZIP codes
- Mooresville, NC — 2 ZIP codes
- Alexis, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Ansonville, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Badin, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Barium Springs, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Belmont, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Bessemer City, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Boiling Springs, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Bostic, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Caroleen, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Casar, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Cherryville, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- China Grove, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Cliffside, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Cornelius, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Cramerton, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Crouse, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Dallas, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Denver, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Earl, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- East Spencer, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Ellenboro, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Faith, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Fallston, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Forest City, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Gold Hill, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Granite Quarry, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Grover, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Harris, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Harrisburg, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Henrietta, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- High Shoals, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Indian Trail, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Iron Station, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Kings Mountain, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Landis, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Lattimore, NC — 1 ZIP codes
- Lawndale, NC — 1 ZIP codes
...and 38 more cities. Browse all via city directory.
All 189 ZIP Codes
View all ZIP codes in the Charlotte metro
- 28000
- 28001 Albemarle [B] — 17 violations
- 28002 Albemarle [A] — 17 violations
- 28006 Alexis [B] — 1 violation
- 28007 Ansonville [A] — 7 violations
- 28009 Badin [A] — 2 violations
- 28010 Barium Springs [D]
- 28012 Belmont [B] — 3 violations
- 28016 Bessemer City [C] — 18 violations
- 28017 Boiling Springs [B] — 2 violations
- 28018 Bostic [D] — 6 violations
- 28019 Caroleen [D]
- 28020 Casar [D]
- 28021 Cherryville [B] — 11 violations
- 28023 China Grove [C] — 4 violations
- 28024 Cliffside [C] — 5 violations
- 28025 Concord [B] — 15 violations
- 28026 Concord [A] — 15 violations
- 28027 Concord [B] — 15 violations
- 28031 Cornelius [A] — 1 violation
- 28032 Cramerton [C]
- 28033 Crouse [D]
- 28034 Dallas [B] — 21 violations
- 28035 Davidson [A]
- 28036 Davidson [A]
- 28037 Denver [C] — 5 violations
- 28038 Earl [D]
- 28039 East Spencer [A]
- 28040 Ellenboro [D] — 11 violations
- 28041 Faith [C] — 4 violations
- 28042 Fallston [D]
- 28043 Forest City [B] — 8 violations
- 28052 Gastonia [B] — 9 violations
- 28053 Gastonia [B] — 9 violations
- 28054 Gastonia [B] — 9 violations
- 28055 Gastonia [B] — 9 violations
- 28056 Gastonia [B] — 9 violations
- 28065
- 28067
- 28070 Huntersville [A]
- 28071 Gold Hill [C]
- 28072 Granite Quarry [C]
- 28073 Grover [B]
- 28074 Harris [D]
- 28075 Harrisburg [B] — 9 violations
- 28076 Henrietta [D]
- 28077 High Shoals [B] — 1 violation
- 28078 Huntersville [B]
- 28079 Indian Trail [C]
- 28080 Iron Station [C]
- 28081 Kannapolis [B] — 2 violations
- 28082 Kannapolis [A] — 2 violations
- 28083 Kannapolis [B] — 2 violations
- 28086 Kings Mountain [B] — 4 violations
- 28088 Landis [B] — 5 violations
- 28089 Lattimore [D]
- 28090 Lawndale [C] — 1 violation
- 28091 Lilesville [A] — 18 violations
- 28092 Lincolnton [B] — 5 violations
- 28093 Lincolnton [B] — 5 violations
- 28097 Locust [A] — 2 violations
- 28098 Lowell [B] — 8 violations
- 28101 Mc Adenville [D]
- 28102 Mc Farlan [C]
- 28103 Marshville [C] — 5 violations
- 28104 Matthews [C]
- 28105 Matthews [C]
- 28106 Matthews [D]
- 28107 Midland [A]
- 28108 Mineral Springs [C]
- 28109 Misenheimer [C]
- 28110 Monroe [A] — 8 violations
- 28111 Monroe [A] — 8 violations
- 28112 Monroe [A] — 8 violations
- 28114 Mooresboro [B] — 11 violations
- 28115 Mooresville [B] — 6 violations
- 28116
- 28117 Mooresville [B] — 6 violations
- 28119 Morven [A] — 2 violations
- 28120 Mount Holly [B] — 4 violations
- 28123 Mount Mourne [D]
- 28124 Mount Pleasant [B]
- 28125 Mount Ulla [B]
- 28126 Newell [D]
- 28127 New London [A]
- 28128 Norwood [B] — 12 violations
- 28129 Oakboro [A] — 2 violations
- 28130 Paw Creek [D]
- 28133 Peachland [A] — 2 violations
- 28134 Pineville [B] — 1 violation
- 28135 Polkton [B] — 4 violations
- 28136 Polkville [D]
- 28137 Richfield [A]
- 28138 Rockwell [A]
- 28139 Rutherfordton [B] — 3 violations
- 28144 Salisbury [C] — 1 violation
- 28145 Salisbury [C] — 1 violation
- 28146 Salisbury [C] — 1 violation
- 28147 Salisbury [C] — 1 violation
- 28150 Shelby [D] — 6 violations
- 28151 Shelby [D] — 6 violations
- 28152 Shelby [D] — 6 violations
- 28159 Spencer [A]
- 28160 Spindale [D]
- 28163 Stanfield [B] — 9 violations
- 28164 Stanley [B] — 8 violations
- 28166 Troutman [B] — 4 violations
- 28167 Union Mills [C] — 11 violations
- 28168 Vale [B] — 1 violation
- 28169 Waco [D]
- 28170 Wadesboro [B] — 15 violations
- 28173 Waxhaw [A] — 1 violation
- 28174 Wingate [A] — 1 violation
- 28200
- 28201 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28202 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28203 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28204 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28205 Charlotte [C] — 38 violations
- 28206 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28207 Charlotte [C] — 38 violations
- 28208 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28209 Charlotte [C] — 38 violations
- 28210 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28211 Charlotte [C] — 38 violations
- 28212 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28213 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28214 Charlotte [C] — 38 violations
- 28215 Charlotte [C] — 38 violations
- 28216 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28217 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28218 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28219 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28220 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28221 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28222 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28223 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28224 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28226 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28227 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28228 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28229 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28230 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28231 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28232 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28233 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28234 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28235 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28236 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28237 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28238
- 28241 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28242 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28243 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28244 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28246 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28247 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28250 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28253 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28254 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28255 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28256 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28258 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28260 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28262 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28263 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28265 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28266 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28269 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28270 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28271 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28272 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28273 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28274 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28275 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28277 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28278 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28280 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28281 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28282 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28284 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28285 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28287 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28288 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28289 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28290 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28296 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28297 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
- 28299 Charlotte [B] — 38 violations
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood risk: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water quality safety grade for the Charlotte metro area?
The Charlotte metro area has an average Home Safety Score of 76/100 (grade B). This score is based on EPA violation records, lead testing data, radon risk, and flood exposure across 189 ZIP codes.
How many EPA water violations are in the Charlotte area?
There are 3,263 total EPA violations across the Charlotte metro, with 956 being health-based violations. 143 out of 189 ZIP codes (76%) have at least one recorded violation.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Charlotte?
Water safety varies by ZIP code and water system. 4 ZIP codes in the metro exceed EPA lead action levels. The average lead level is 0.0067 mg/L (EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L). Check your specific ZIP code for a detailed report.
What percentage of homes in Charlotte have lead risk?
Approximately 41% of housing in the Charlotte metro was built before 1986, when lead pipes were still legal. 8% was built before 1950, the highest-risk category for lead paint. Homes in older neighborhoods should be tested for lead in both water and paint.
What is the flood risk in the Charlotte metro?
The Charlotte metro has recorded 3,575 FEMA flood insurance claims across 99 ZIP codes, with an average payout of $21,147 per claim. Check the FEMA flood map for your specific property.