Environmental Justice Areas in Tennessee — 2026

Out of 714 ZIP codes with data in Tennessee, these are the highest-ranked areas for ej index. See also: National ZIP Codes with Highest Environmental Justice Concern | All Tennessee Rankings

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	714
Highest value	80/100
Median value	30/100
State	Tennessee

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	EJ Index	Safety Score
1	37748	Harriman	TN	80/100	57/100
2	37407	Chattanooga	TN	78/100	74/100
3	38301	Jackson	TN	77/100	54/100
4	38556	Jamestown	TN	75/100	78/100
5	38562	Gainesboro	TN	75/100	40/100
6	38464	Lawrenceburg	TN	70/100	58/100
7	37338	Graysville	TN	69/100	86/100
8	38008	Bolivar	TN	69/100	82/100
9	38363	Parsons	TN	69/100	71/100
10	37110	Mcminnville	TN	68/100	53/100
11	37166	Smithville	TN	68/100	78/100
12	37769	Lake City	TN	68/100	51/100
13	37857	Rogersville	TN	68/100	54/100
14	38425	Clifton	TN	68/100	49/100
15	38473	Minor Hill	TN	68/100	66/100
16	38549	Byrdstown	TN	68/100	63/100
17	38585	Spencer	TN	68/100	58/100
18	37356	Monteagle	TN	66/100	78/100
19	38075	Whiteville	TN	66/100	81/100
20	38255	Sharon	TN	65/100	87/100
21	38485	Waynesboro	TN	64/100	64/100
22	38381	Toone	TN	62/100	97/100
23	38574	Monterey	TN	62/100	68/100
24	37762	Jellico	TN	61/100	81/100
25	38220	Atwood	TN	61/100	89/100
26	37040	Clarksville	TN	60/100	65/100
27	37042	Clarksville	TN	60/100	65/100
28	37074	Hartsville	TN	60/100	53/100
29	37160	Shelbyville	TN	60/100	57/100
30	37321	Dayton	TN	60/100	88/100
31	37387	Tracy City	TN	60/100	88/100
32	37716	Clinton	TN	60/100	51/100
33	38330	Dyer	TN	60/100	81/100
34	37098	Lyles	TN	58/100	70/100
35	37402	Chattanooga	TN	58/100	79/100
36	37410	Chattanooga	TN	58/100	74/100
37	37683	Mountain City	TN	58/100	66/100
38	37012	Alexandria	TN	56/100	66/100
39	38575	Moss	TN	56/100	72/100
40	37355	Manchester	TN	54/100	64/100
41	37398	Winchester	TN	54/100	81/100
42	37724	Cumberland Gap	TN	54/100	67/100
43	37869	Sneedville	TN	54/100	68/100
44	38052	Middleton	TN	54/100	91/100
45	38358	Milan	TN	54/100	88/100
46	38375	Selmer	TN	54/100	70/100
47	38501	Cookeville	TN	54/100	69/100
48	37406	Chattanooga	TN	53/100	74/100
49	38450	Collinwood	TN	53/100	66/100
50	38570	Livingston	TN	53/100	79/100
51	37354	Madisonville	TN	52/100	66/100
52	38049	Mason	TN	52/100	94/100
53	37041	Clarksville	TN	50/100	70/100
54	37043	Clarksville	TN	50/100	65/100
55	37044	Clarksville	TN	50/100	73/100
56	37061	Erin	TN	50/100	71/100
57	37064	Franklin	TN	50/100	43/100
58	37065	Franklin	TN	50/100	58/100
59	37067	Franklin	TN	50/100	53/100
60	37068	Franklin	TN	50/100	51/100
61	37069	Franklin	TN	50/100	43/100
62	37096	Linden	TN	50/100	51/100
63	37111	Mcminnville	TN	50/100	58/100
64	37150	Red Boiling Springs	TN	50/100	65/100
65	37151	Riddleton	TN	50/100	45/100
66	37161	Shelbyville	TN	50/100	62/100
67	37162	Shelbyville	TN	50/100	56/100
68	37301	Altamont	TN	50/100	99/100
69	37327	Dunlap	TN	50/100	82/100
70	37620	Bristol	TN	50/100	58/100
71	37710	Briceville	TN	50/100	53/100
72	37715	Clairfield	TN	50/100	68/100
73	37717	Clinton	TN	50/100	48/100
74	37722	Cosby	TN	50/100	71/100
75	37756	Huntsville	TN	50/100	99/100
76	37830	Oak Ridge	TN	50/100	69/100
77	37845	Petros	TN	50/100	40/100
78	37915	Knoxville	TN	50/100	66/100
79	37916	Knoxville	TN	50/100	70/100
80	37920	Knoxville	TN	50/100	65/100
81	38001	Alamo	TN	50/100	95/100
82	38041	Henning	TN	50/100	81/100
83	38080	Ridgely	TN	50/100	90/100
84	38114	Memphis	TN	50/100	90/100
85	38232	Hornbeak	TN	50/100	86/100
86	38251	Puryear	TN	50/100	92/100
87	38486	Westpoint	TN	50/100	56/100
88	37324	Decherd	TN	49/100	93/100
89	37658	Hampton	TN	49/100	76/100
90	38342	Hollow Rock	TN	49/100	97/100
91	37058	Dover	TN	48/100	80/100
92	37367	Pikeville	TN	48/100	98/100
93	37401	Chattanooga	TN	48/100	79/100
94	37306	Belvidere	TN	46/100	91/100
95	37404	Chattanooga	TN	46/100	69/100
96	37411	Chattanooga	TN	46/100	69/100
97	37601	Johnson City	TN	46/100	56/100
98	37604	Johnson City	TN	46/100	56/100
99	37813	Morristown	TN	46/100	63/100
100	37814	Morristown	TN	46/100	58/100

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.