2026 Rankings

Environmental Justice Concern Areas in Washington — ...

Last updated: April 13, 2026

564 ZIP codes ranked by EJ Index #1: ZIP 99336 (Kennewick, WA) - 80/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 564 ZIP codes with data in Washington, these are the highest-ranked areas for ej index. See also: National ZIP Codes with Highest Environmental Justice Concern | All Washington Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 564
Highest value 80/100
Median value 20/100
State Washington

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State EJ Index Safety Score
1 99336 Kennewick WA 80/100 58/100
2 98277 Oak Harbor WA 70/100 66/100
3 98278 Oak Harbor WA 70/100 71/100
4 99301 Pasco WA 70/100 80/100
5 98595 Westport WA 60/100 74/100
6 99201 Spokane WA 59/100 70/100
7 98402 Tacoma WA 56/100 93/100
8 98901 Yakima WA 56/100 77/100
9 98903 Yakima WA 56/100 72/100
10 98832 Marlin WA 54/100 78/100
11 98930 Grandview WA 54/100 81/100
12 98001 Auburn WA 52/100 84/100
13 98027 Issaquah WA 52/100 74/100
14 99207 Spokane WA 52/100 70/100
15 98250 Friday Harbor WA 50/100 70/100
16 98262 Lummi Island WA 50/100 85/100
17 98438 Mcchord Afb WA 50/100 66/100
18 98531 Centralia WA 50/100 75/100
19 98572 Pe Ell WA 50/100 90/100
20 98660 Vancouver WA 50/100 69/100
21 99114 Colville WA 50/100 56/100
22 99302 Pasco WA 50/100 79/100
23 99337 Kennewick WA 50/100 58/100
24 99338 Kennewick WA 50/100 58/100
25 99157 Northport WA 49/100 64/100
26 98433 Tacoma WA 48/100 97/100
27 98532 Chehalis WA 48/100 75/100
28 98672 White Salmon WA 48/100 78/100
29 98837 Moses Lake WA 48/100 72/100
30 99163 Pullman WA 46/100 73/100
31 99344 Othello WA 46/100 72/100
32 98134 Seattle WA 44/100 99/100
33 98564 Mossyrock WA 44/100 94/100
34 99021 Mead WA 44/100 62/100
35 99141 Kettle Falls WA 44/100 70/100
36 99349 Mattawa WA 44/100 82/100
37 99143 Lacrosse WA 43/100 72/100
38 98204 Everett WA 42/100 87/100
39 98855 Tonasket WA 42/100 69/100
40 98951 Wapato WA 42/100 67/100
41 99156 Newport WA 42/100 51/100
42 98010 Black Diamond WA 40/100 95/100
43 98030 Kent WA 40/100 95/100
44 98031 Kent WA 40/100 90/100
45 98038 Maple Valley WA 40/100 78/100
46 98074 Sammamish WA 40/100 88/100
47 98224 Baring WA 40/100 73/100
48 98266 Maple Falls WA 40/100 91/100
49 98310 Bremerton WA 40/100 90/100
50 98312 Bremerton WA 40/100 90/100
51 98337 Bremerton WA 40/100 99/100
52 98366 Port Orchard WA 40/100 89/100
53 98371 Puyallup WA 40/100 82/100
54 98374 Puyallup WA 40/100 87/100
55 98501 Olympia WA 40/100 89/100
56 98661 Vancouver WA 40/100 69/100
57 99118 Curlew WA 40/100 48/100
58 98255 Hamilton WA 39/100 77/100
59 98225 Bellingham WA 38/100 88/100
60 98243 Deer Harbor WA 38/100 66/100
61 98401 Tacoma WA 38/100 97/100
62 98421 Tacoma WA 38/100 93/100
63 98439 Lakewood WA 38/100 99/100
64 98511 Tumwater WA 38/100 77/100
65 98520 Aberdeen WA 38/100 71/100
66 98816 Chelan WA 38/100 91/100
67 98824 George WA 38/100 81/100
68 98849 Riverside WA 38/100 59/100
69 98857 Warden WA 38/100 78/100
70 98948 Toppenish WA 38/100 73/100
71 99003 Chattaroy WA 38/100 69/100
72 99032 Sprague WA 38/100 77/100
73 99111 Colfax WA 38/100 78/100
74 99173 Springdale WA 38/100 65/100
75 99343 Mesa WA 38/100 62/100
76 99155 Nespelem WA 37/100 64/100
77 98272 Monroe WA 36/100 69/100
78 98356 Morton WA 36/100 87/100
79 98381 Sekiu WA 36/100 93/100
80 98541 Elma WA 36/100 84/100
81 98582 Salkum WA 36/100 62/100
82 98620 Goldendale WA 36/100 81/100
83 98812 Brewster WA 36/100 69/100
84 98902 Yakima WA 36/100 82/100
85 99115 Coulee City WA 36/100 79/100
86 99323 Burbank WA 36/100 71/100
87 99371 Washtucna WA 36/100 75/100
88 98055 Renton WA 34/100 94/100
89 98101 Seattle WA 34/100 95/100
90 98106 Seattle WA 34/100 90/100
91 98126 Seattle WA 34/100 90/100
92 98168 Seattle WA 34/100 95/100
93 98245 Eastsound WA 34/100 93/100
94 98264 Lynden WA 34/100 89/100
95 98362 Port Angeles WA 34/100 86/100
96 98363 Port Angeles WA 34/100 91/100
97 98503 Lacey WA 34/100 93/100
98 98862 Winthrop WA 34/100 64/100
99 99030 Rockford WA 34/100 70/100
100 99033 Tekoa WA 34/100 79/100

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.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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