Environmental Justice Areas in Ohio — 2026

Out of 1,362 ZIP codes with data in Ohio, these are the highest-ranked areas for ej index. See also: National ZIP Codes with Highest Environmental Justice Concern | All Ohio Rankings

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	1,362
Highest value	80/100
Median value	30/100
State	Ohio

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	EJ Index	Safety Score
1	44902	Mansfield	OH	80/100	61/100
2	45638	Ironton	OH	80/100	72/100
3	45404	Dayton	OH	79/100	44/100
4	43219	Columbus	OH	78/100	63/100
5	43723	Byesville	OH	76/100	54/100
6	44907	Mansfield	OH	75/100	66/100
7	45144	Manchester	OH	75/100	56/100
8	44301	Akron	OH	74/100	62/100
9	45439	Dayton	OH	72/100	39/100
10	43210	Columbus	OH	70/100	64/100
11	43724	Caldwell	OH	68/100	57/100
12	43764	New Lexington	OH	68/100	45/100
13	43907	Cadiz	OH	68/100	49/100
14	43943	Rayland	OH	68/100	54/100
15	43952	Steubenville	OH	68/100	60/100
16	44221	Cuyahoga Falls	OH	68/100	69/100
17	44905	Mansfield	OH	68/100	61/100
18	44906	Mansfield	OH	68/100	66/100
19	45764	Nelsonville	OH	68/100	53/100
20	45769	Pomeroy	OH	68/100	69/100
21	45621	Coalton	OH	67/100	66/100
22	45760	Middleport	OH	67/100	74/100
23	44307	Akron	OH	66/100	58/100
24	44308	Akron	OH	66/100	62/100
25	44311	Akron	OH	66/100	62/100
26	45750	Marietta	OH	66/100	59/100
27	43201	Columbus	OH	65/100	68/100
28	43203	Columbus	OH	65/100	64/100
29	43211	Columbus	OH	65/100	68/100
30	43227	Columbus	OH	65/100	58/100
31	43913	Brilliant	OH	64/100	64/100
32	43701	Zanesville	OH	62/100	58/100
33	43920	East Liverpool	OH	62/100	58/100
34	44004	Ashtabula	OH	62/100	76/100
35	44084	Rock Creek	OH	62/100	79/100
36	44672	Sebring	OH	62/100	71/100
37	45342	Miamisburg	OH	62/100	64/100
38	45680	South Point	OH	62/100	71/100
39	45690	Waverly	OH	62/100	47/100
40	44302	Akron	OH	61/100	58/100
41	44304	Akron	OH	61/100	62/100
42	44306	Akron	OH	61/100	62/100
43	44310	Akron	OH	61/100	62/100
44	44320	Akron	OH	61/100	57/100
45	45804	Lima	OH	61/100	63/100
46	43524	Hamler	OH	60/100	58/100
47	43527	Holgate	OH	60/100	63/100
48	43793	Woodsfield	OH	60/100	80/100
49	43971	Yorkville	OH	60/100	64/100
50	43976	Hopedale	OH	60/100	54/100
51	44491	West Farmington	OH	60/100	78/100
52	44644	Malvern	OH	60/100	57/100
53	44903	Mansfield	OH	60/100	61/100
54	44904	Mansfield	OH	60/100	66/100
55	45347	New Paris	OH	60/100	57/100
56	45786	Waterford	OH	60/100	74/100
57	45891	Van Wert	OH	60/100	46/100
58	45402	Dayton	OH	59/100	44/100
59	45403	Dayton	OH	59/100	44/100
60	45405	Dayton	OH	59/100	44/100
61	45406	Dayton	OH	59/100	44/100
62	45417	Dayton	OH	59/100	44/100
63	45812	Alger	OH	59/100	61/100
64	43205	Columbus	OH	58/100	68/100
65	43213	Columbus	OH	58/100	58/100
66	43223	Columbus	OH	58/100	58/100
67	43224	Columbus	OH	58/100	63/100
68	43229	Columbus	OH	58/100	63/100
69	43232	Columbus	OH	58/100	58/100
70	44485	Warren	OH	58/100	74/100
71	44833	Galion	OH	58/100	56/100
72	45042	Middletown	OH	58/100	61/100
73	43128	Jeffersonville	OH	56/100	69/100
74	43331	Lakeview	OH	56/100	61/100
75	43604	Toledo	OH	56/100	77/100
76	43608	Toledo	OH	56/100	77/100
77	43620	Toledo	OH	56/100	77/100
78	43719	Bethesda	OH	56/100	61/100
79	44321	Akron	OH	56/100	57/100
80	45779	Syracuse	OH	56/100	82/100
81	44490	Washingtonville	OH	55/100	61/100
82	43138	Logan	OH	54/100	71/100
83	43302	Marion	OH	54/100	61/100
84	44103	Cleveland	OH	54/100	81/100
85	44104	Cleveland	OH	54/100	81/100
86	44108	Cleveland	OH	54/100	81/100
87	44110	Cleveland	OH	54/100	81/100
88	44112	Cleveland	OH	54/100	81/100
89	44115	Cleveland	OH	54/100	81/100
90	44127	Cleveland	OH	54/100	81/100
91	44305	Akron	OH	54/100	62/100
92	44314	Akron	OH	54/100	52/100
93	44460	Salem	OH	54/100	56/100
94	44502	Youngstown	OH	54/100	80/100
95	44503	Youngstown	OH	54/100	80/100
96	44506	Youngstown	OH	54/100	80/100
97	44507	Youngstown	OH	54/100	80/100
98	44510	Youngstown	OH	54/100	80/100
99	44611	Big Prairie	OH	54/100	49/100
100	44688	Waynesburg	OH	54/100	60/100

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.