Environmental Justice Areas in Kentucky — 2026

Out of 750 ZIP codes with data in Kentucky, these are the highest-ranked areas for ej index. See also: National ZIP Codes with Highest Environmental Justice Concern | All Kentucky Rankings

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	750
Highest value	80/100
Median value	29/100
State	Kentucky

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	EJ Index	Safety Score
1	40855	Lynch	KY	80/100	82/100
2	41311	Beattyville	KY	80/100	56/100
3	41537	Jenkins	KY	80/100	67/100
4	42337	Drakesboro	KY	78/100	76/100
5	40445	Livingston	KY	75/100	61/100
6	40962	Manchester	KY	75/100	70/100
7	41339	Jackson	KY	75/100	63/100
8	41501	Pikeville	KY	75/100	43/100
9	41649	Martin	KY	75/100	57/100
10	42167	Tompkinsville	KY	75/100	59/100
11	41465	Salyersville	KY	74/100	56/100
12	40906	Barbourville	KY	70/100	68/100
13	40769	Williamsburg	KY	69/100	74/100
14	41101	Ashland	KY	68/100	46/100
15	42210	Brownsville	KY	68/100	68/100
16	42450	Providence	KY	68/100	58/100
17	42459	Sturgis	KY	68/100	51/100
18	42461	Uniontown	KY	68/100	65/100
19	40824	Dayhoit	KY	65/100	55/100
20	41143	Grayson	KY	64/100	64/100
21	40828	Evarts	KY	61/100	76/100
22	41129	Catlettsburg	KY	60/100	63/100
23	41840	Neon	KY	60/100	54/100
24	42256	Lewisburg	KY	60/100	62/100
25	42327	Calhoun	KY	60/100	57/100
26	42345	Greenville	KY	60/100	67/100
27	42437	Morganfield	KY	60/100	58/100
28	42050	Hickman	KY	59/100	94/100
29	42055	Kuttawa	KY	58/100	74/100
30	42355	Maceo	KY	58/100	63/100
31	40322	Frenchburg	KY	57/100	76/100
32	40977	Pineville	KY	57/100	71/100
33	41224	Inez	KY	57/100	71/100
34	42602	Albany	KY	57/100	81/100
35	40701	Corbin	KY	56/100	75/100
36	40807	Benham	KY	52/100	79/100
37	41049	Hillsboro	KY	52/100	63/100
38	41472	West Liberty	KY	52/100	74/100
39	40815	Cawood	KY	51/100	74/100
40	41314	Booneville	KY	51/100	82/100
41	41858	Whitesburg	KY	51/100	64/100
42	42127	Cave City	KY	51/100	54/100
43	42717	Burkesville	KY	51/100	69/100
44	40145	Hudson	KY	50/100	53/100
45	40310	Burgin	KY	50/100	63/100
46	40357	North Middletown	KY	50/100	40/100
47	40371	Salt Lick	KY	50/100	71/100
48	40447	Mc Kee	KY	50/100	55/100
49	40460	Orlando	KY	50/100	53/100
50	40759	Rockholds	KY	50/100	63/100
51	40763	Siler	KY	50/100	63/100
52	40819	Coldiron	KY	50/100	63/100
53	40820	Cranks	KY	50/100	55/100
54	40845	Hulen	KY	50/100	63/100
55	40847	Kenvir	KY	50/100	63/100
56	40854	Loyall	KY	50/100	50/100
57	40873	Wallins Creek	KY	50/100	55/100
58	40935	Flat Lick	KY	50/100	55/100
59	40940	Frakes	KY	50/100	53/100
60	40965	Middlesboro	KY	50/100	68/100
61	41301	Campton	KY	50/100	81/100
62	41317	Clayhole	KY	50/100	63/100
63	41348	Lost Creek	KY	50/100	55/100
64	41364	Ricetown	KY	50/100	63/100
65	41408	Cannel City	KY	50/100	63/100
66	41502	Pikeville	KY	50/100	53/100
67	41524	Fedscreek	KY	50/100	63/100
68	41543	Mc Andrews	KY	50/100	55/100
69	41548	Mouthcard	KY	50/100	63/100
70	41559	Regina	KY	50/100	63/100
71	41568	Stopover	KY	50/100	63/100
72	41601	Allen	KY	50/100	50/100
73	41632	Gunlock	KY	50/100	63/100
74	41745	Gays Creek	KY	50/100	53/100
75	41812	Deane	KY	50/100	63/100
76	41815	Ermine	KY	50/100	63/100
77	41822	Hindman	KY	50/100	72/100
78	41838	Millstone	KY	50/100	63/100
79	41839	Mousie	KY	50/100	63/100
80	41844	Pippa Passes	KY	50/100	63/100
81	41845	Premium	KY	50/100	53/100
82	42001	Paducah	KY	50/100	77/100
83	42029	Calvert City	KY	50/100	90/100
84	42047	Hampton	KY	50/100	53/100
85	42081	Smithland	KY	50/100	53/100
86	42206	Auburn	KY	50/100	82/100
87	42285	Sweeden	KY	50/100	53/100
88	42333	Cromwell	KY	50/100	53/100
89	42410	Earlington	KY	50/100	82/100
90	40380	Stanton	KY	49/100	67/100
91	42539	Liberty	KY	49/100	62/100
92	42713	Bonnieville	KY	49/100	31/100
93	40008	Bloomfield	KY	46/100	68/100
94	40312	Clay City	KY	45/100	72/100
95	40316	Denniston	KY	45/100	53/100
96	40328	Gravel Switch	KY	45/100	53/100
97	40336	Irvine	KY	45/100	70/100
98	40374	Sharpsburg	KY	45/100	83/100
99	40387	Wellington	KY	45/100	72/100
100	40734	Gray	KY	45/100	55/100

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.