Environmental Justice Areas in Virginia — 2026

Out of 953 ZIP codes with data in Virginia, these are the highest-ranked areas for ej index. See also: National ZIP Codes with Highest Environmental Justice Concern | All Virginia Rankings

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	953
Highest value	75/100
Median value	20/100
State	Virginia

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	EJ Index	Safety Score
1	23868	Lawrenceville	VA	75/100	60/100
2	24656	Vansant	VA	75/100	73/100
3	24557	Gretna	VA	73/100	61/100
4	24245	Dungannon	VA	72/100	67/100
5	22949	Lovingston	VA	68/100	72/100
6	23847	Emporia	VA	68/100	81/100
7	24382	Wytheville	VA	68/100	61/100
8	24228	Clintwood	VA	67/100	77/100
9	22664	Woodstock	VA	60/100	47/100
10	23109	Mathews	VA	60/100	68/100
11	24529	Buffalo Junction	VA	60/100	71/100
12	23824	Blackstone	VA	58/100	63/100
13	24225	Cleveland	VA	58/100	51/100
14	24366	Rocky Gap	VA	58/100	51/100
15	24370	Saltville	VA	58/100	57/100
16	24426	Covington	VA	58/100	50/100
17	23440	Tangier	VA	56/100	84/100
18	24277	Pennington Gap	VA	56/100	56/100
19	24540	Danville	VA	56/100	57/100
20	24541	Danville	VA	56/100	57/100
21	24112	Martinsville	VA	54/100	54/100
22	23022	Bremo Bluff	VA	53/100	61/100
23	23936	Dillwyn	VA	52/100	66/100
24	24422	Clifton Forge	VA	52/100	59/100
25	22427	Bowling Green	VA	50/100	66/100
26	22428	Bowling Green	VA	50/100	65/100
27	22509	Loretto	VA	50/100	66/100
28	22520	Montross	VA	50/100	88/100
29	22611	Berryville	VA	50/100	44/100
30	22727	Madison	VA	50/100	55/100
31	22747	Washington	VA	50/100	77/100
32	22947	Keswick	VA	50/100	69/100
33	23314	Carrollton	VA	50/100	65/100
34	23337	Wallops Island	VA	50/100	85/100
35	23424	Rescue	VA	50/100	70/100
36	23442	Temperanceville	VA	50/100	73/100
37	23844	Drewryville	VA	50/100	73/100
38	23921	Buckingham	VA	50/100	44/100
39	23930	Crewe	VA	50/100	56/100
40	23947	Keysville	VA	50/100	71/100
41	24139	Pittsville	VA	50/100	40/100
42	24292	Whitetop	VA	50/100	53/100
43	24474	Selma	VA	50/100	53/100
44	24606	Boissevain	VA	50/100	53/100
45	24613	Falls Mills	VA	50/100	53/100
46	24634	Pilgrims Knob	VA	50/100	53/100
47	24016	Roanoke	VA	49/100	57/100
48	24055	Bassett	VA	49/100	58/100
49	24348	Independence	VA	49/100	79/100
50	24354	Marion	VA	49/100	57/100
51	22943	Greenwood	VA	48/100	77/100
52	23825	Blackstone	VA	48/100	57/100
53	24333	Galax	VA	48/100	82/100
54	22482	Kilmarnock	VA	46/100	78/100
55	23803	Petersburg	VA	46/100	56/100
56	24134	Pearisburg	VA	46/100	55/100
57	24290	Weber City	VA	46/100	61/100
58	24315	Bland	VA	46/100	61/100
59	23050	Dutton	VA	45/100	73/100
60	23307	Birdsnest	VA	45/100	73/100
61	23413	Nassawadox	VA	45/100	73/100
62	23504	Norfolk	VA	45/100	80/100
63	23523	Norfolk	VA	45/100	85/100
64	23607	Newport News	VA	45/100	79/100
65	23704	Portsmouth	VA	45/100	80/100
66	23827	Boykins	VA	45/100	73/100
67	23923	Charlotte Court House	VA	45/100	53/100
68	23924	Chase City	VA	45/100	82/100
69	23937	Drakes Branch	VA	45/100	62/100
70	23968	Skipwith	VA	45/100	53/100
71	24088	Ferrum	VA	45/100	73/100
72	24226	Clinchco	VA	45/100	55/100
73	24244	Duffield	VA	45/100	45/100
74	24251	Gate City	VA	45/100	65/100
75	24258	Hiltons	VA	45/100	53/100
76	24260	Honaker	VA	45/100	69/100
77	24263	Jonesville	VA	45/100	70/100
78	24273	Norton	VA	45/100	73/100
79	24279	Pound	VA	45/100	50/100
80	24312	Austinville	VA	45/100	63/100
81	24317	Cana	VA	45/100	53/100
82	24326	Elk Creek	VA	45/100	53/100
83	24330	Fries	VA	45/100	82/100
84	24378	Troutdale	VA	45/100	68/100
85	24460	Millboro	VA	45/100	45/100
86	24501	Lynchburg	VA	45/100	78/100
87	24534	Clover	VA	45/100	53/100
88	24565	Java	VA	45/100	40/100
89	24579	Natural Bridge Station	VA	45/100	53/100
90	24594	Sutherlin	VA	45/100	40/100
91	24599	Wingina	VA	45/100	40/100
92	24602	Bandy	VA	45/100	53/100
93	24614	Grundy	VA	45/100	50/100
94	24620	Hurley	VA	45/100	50/100
95	24631	Oakwood	VA	45/100	55/100
96	24635	Pocahontas	VA	45/100	53/100
97	24639	Raven	VA	45/100	40/100
98	24641	Richlands	VA	45/100	60/100
99	23218	Richmond	VA	44/100	86/100
100	23237	Richmond	VA	44/100	61/100

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.