Environmental Justice Areas in New York — 2026

Out of 1,941 ZIP codes with data in New York, these are the highest-ranked areas for ej index. See also: National ZIP Codes with Highest Environmental Justice Concern | All New York Rankings

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	1,941
Highest value	88/100
Median value	24/100
State	New York

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	EJ Index	Safety Score
1	13838	Sidney	NY	88/100	41/100
2	12307	Schenectady	NY	80/100	79/100
3	12771	Port Jervis	NY	80/100	47/100
4	13069	Fulton	NY	80/100	77/100
5	13202	Syracuse	NY	80/100	43/100
6	13209	Syracuse	NY	80/100	43/100
7	14605	Rochester	NY	80/100	73/100
8	14611	Rochester	NY	80/100	73/100
9	14613	Rochester	NY	80/100	75/100
10	11212	Brooklyn	NY	75/100	67/100
11	11224	Brooklyn	NY	75/100	47/100
12	11239	Brooklyn	NY	75/100	62/100
13	13204	Syracuse	NY	75/100	38/100
14	13205	Syracuse	NY	75/100	43/100
15	13208	Syracuse	NY	75/100	43/100
16	13210	Syracuse	NY	75/100	43/100
17	14608	Rochester	NY	75/100	73/100
18	14621	Rochester	NY	75/100	75/100
19	14802	Alfred	NY	75/100	65/100
20	13021	Auburn	NY	74/100	61/100
21	13619	Carthage	NY	74/100	48/100
22	14201	Buffalo	NY	72/100	67/100
23	14204	Buffalo	NY	72/100	67/100
24	14211	Buffalo	NY	72/100	62/100
25	14760	Olean	NY	72/100	56/100
26	10801	New Rochelle	NY	70/100	69/100
27	10949	Monroe	NY	70/100	65/100
28	11201	Brooklyn	NY	70/100	62/100
29	11222	Brooklyn	NY	70/100	57/100
30	11231	Brooklyn	NY	70/100	52/100
31	12528	Highland	NY	70/100	54/100
32	12590	Wappingers Falls	NY	70/100	61/100
33	13088	Liverpool	NY	70/100	60/100
34	13201	Syracuse	NY	70/100	43/100
35	13901	Binghamton	NY	70/100	52/100
36	14541	Romulus	NY	70/100	49/100
37	14895	Wellsville	NY	70/100	47/100
38	14901	Elmira	NY	69/100	61/100
39	11207	Brooklyn	NY	68/100	62/100
40	11219	Brooklyn	NY	68/100	57/100
41	12078	Gloversville	NY	68/100	71/100
42	12182	Troy	NY	68/100	54/100
43	12305	Schenectady	NY	68/100	70/100
44	12413	Cairo	NY	68/100	40/100
45	12442	Hunter	NY	68/100	36/100
46	12779	South Fallsburg	NY	68/100	58/100
47	12884	Victory Mills	NY	68/100	71/100
48	12887	Whitehall	NY	68/100	54/100
49	13203	Syracuse	NY	68/100	43/100
50	13440	Rome	NY	68/100	75/100
51	13501	Utica	NY	68/100	58/100
52	13755	Downsville	NY	68/100	56/100
53	13849	Unadilla	NY	68/100	58/100
54	14615	Rochester	NY	68/100	73/100
55	14819	Cameron	NY	68/100	54/100
56	13313	Bridgewater	NY	67/100	79/100
57	14207	Buffalo	NY	67/100	67/100
58	14212	Buffalo	NY	67/100	67/100
59	14215	Buffalo	NY	67/100	62/100
60	11549	Hempstead	NY	66/100	92/100
61	12957	Moira	NY	66/100	80/100
62	13760	Endicott	NY	64/100	51/100
63	12974	Port Henry	NY	63/100	90/100
64	10512	Carmel	NY	62/100	57/100
65	13782	Hamden	NY	62/100	51/100
66	12169	Stephentown	NY	61/100	60/100
67	11203	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	62/100
68	11204	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	62/100
69	11206	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	62/100
70	11208	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	62/100
71	11213	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	67/100
72	11214	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	57/100
73	11220	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	62/100
74	11223	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	57/100
75	11230	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	62/100
76	11233	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	62/100
77	11235	Brooklyn	NY	60/100	47/100
78	12010	Amsterdam	NY	60/100	30/100
79	12304	Schenectady	NY	60/100	80/100
80	12308	Schenectady	NY	60/100	80/100
81	12401	Kingston	NY	60/100	25/100
82	12414	Catskill	NY	60/100	43/100
83	12430	Fleischmanns	NY	60/100	41/100
84	12472	Rosendale	NY	60/100	61/100
85	12496	Windham	NY	60/100	26/100
86	12986	Tupper Lake	NY	60/100	70/100
87	13060	Elbridge	NY	60/100	45/100
88	13145	Sandy Creek	NY	60/100	74/100
89	13206	Syracuse	NY	60/100	38/100
90	13207	Syracuse	NY	60/100	43/100
91	13211	Syracuse	NY	60/100	43/100
92	13350	Herkimer	NY	60/100	40/100
93	13460	Sherburne	NY	60/100	60/100
94	13502	Utica	NY	60/100	58/100
95	13601	Watertown	NY	60/100	50/100
96	13730	Afton	NY	60/100	46/100
97	13744	Castle Creek	NY	60/100	66/100
98	13750	Davenport	NY	60/100	56/100
99	13820	Oneonta	NY	60/100	44/100
100	14202	Buffalo	NY	60/100	62/100

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.