Environmental Justice Concern Areas in North Carolin...

Out of 873 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	873
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	28315	Aberdeen	NC	70/100	70/100
21	28739	Hendersonville	NC	70/100	56/100
22	28803	Asheville	NC	70/100	20/100
23	27025	Madison	NC	68/100	56/100
24	27229	Candor	NC	68/100	45/100
25	27288	Eden	NC	68/100	47/100
26	27316	Ramseur	NC	68/100	81/100
27	27320	Reidsville	NC	68/100	61/100
28	27325	Robbins	NC	68/100	78/100
29	27405	Greensboro	NC	68/100	85/100
30	27537	Henderson	NC	68/100	43/100
31	27555	Micro	NC	68/100	85/100
32	27845	Jackson	NC	68/100	82/100
33	27886	Tarboro	NC	68/100	45/100
34	28016	Bessemer City	NC	68/100	56/100
35	28150	Shelby	NC	68/100	52/100
36	28303	Fayetteville	NC	68/100	84/100
37	28779	Sylva	NC	68/100	70/100
38	28792	Hendersonville	NC	68/100	56/100
39	27563	Norlina	NC	67/100	71/100
40	27019	Germanton	NC	66/100	65/100
41	28001	Albemarle	NC	66/100	81/100
42	28379	Rockingham	NC	66/100	74/100
43	27209	Biscoe	NC	65/100	82/100
44	27801	Rocky Mount	NC	65/100	78/100
45	27831	Garysburg	NC	64/100	86/100
46	28144	Salisbury	NC	64/100	64/100
47	28227	Charlotte	NC	64/100	78/100
48	28206	Charlotte	NC	62/100	73/100
49	28208	Charlotte	NC	62/100	73/100
50	28212	Charlotte	NC	62/100	78/100
51	28213	Charlotte	NC	62/100	78/100
52	28625	Statesville	NC	62/100	73/100
53	28677	Statesville	NC	62/100	68/100
54	27028	Mocksville	NC	60/100	94/100
55	27330	Sanford	NC	60/100	85/100
56	27349	Snow Camp	NC	60/100	84/100
57	27371	Troy	NC	60/100	79/100
58	27403	Greensboro	NC	60/100	85/100
59	27406	Greensboro	NC	60/100	85/100
60	27407	Greensboro	NC	60/100	80/100
61	27409	Greensboro	NC	60/100	90/100
62	27525	Franklinton	NC	60/100	64/100
63	27542	Kenly	NC	60/100	68/100
64	27557	Middlesex	NC	60/100	88/100
65	27576	Selma	NC	60/100	86/100
66	27605	Raleigh	NC	60/100	61/100
67	27610	Raleigh	NC	60/100	51/100
68	27704	Durham	NC	60/100	82/100
69	27807	Bailey	NC	60/100	85/100
70	27822	Elm City	NC	60/100	57/100
71	27856	Nashville	NC	60/100	74/100
72	27944	Hertford	NC	60/100	82/100
73	28034	Dallas	NC	60/100	76/100
74	28040	Ellenboro	NC	60/100	45/100
75	28128	Norwood	NC	60/100	80/100
76	28372	Pembroke	NC	60/100	89/100
77	28425	Burgaw	NC	60/100	55/100
78	28431	Chadbourn	NC	60/100	89/100
79	28515	Bayboro	NC	60/100	67/100
80	28657	Newland	NC	60/100	62/100
81	28722	Columbus	NC	60/100	66/100
82	28741	Highlands	NC	60/100	78/100
83	28748	Leicester	NC	60/100	67/100
84	28805	Asheville	NC	60/100	25/100
85	28806	Asheville	NC	60/100	25/100
86	28904	Hayesville	NC	60/100	66/100
87	28325	Calypso	NC	59/100	86/100
88	27248	Franklinville	NC	58/100	77/100
89	27502	Apex	NC	58/100	82/100
90	27889	Washington	NC	58/100	74/100
91	28456	Riegelwood	NC	58/100	68/100
92	28501	Kinston	NC	58/100	67/100
93	27962	Plymouth	NC	57/100	78/100
94	27871	Robersonville	NC	56/100	81/100
95	27882	Spring Hope	NC	56/100	92/100
96	27892	Williamston	NC	56/100	79/100
97	27967	Powellsville	NC	56/100	87/100
98	28377	Red Springs	NC	56/100	89/100
99	28393	Turkey	NC	56/100	94/100
100	28472	Whiteville	NC	56/100	71/100

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: 2026-04-13.

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.