Out of 1,085 ZIP codes with data in North Carolina, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All North Carolina Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 1,085 |
| Highest value | 74/100 |
| Median value | 36/100 |
| State | North Carolina |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Purchase Risk | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28801 | Asheville | NC | 74/100 | 25/100 |
| 2 | 28641 | Jonas Ridge | NC | 73/100 | 82/100 |
| 3 | 28805 | Asheville | NC | 71/100 | 25/100 |
| 4 | 28803 | Asheville | NC | 68/100 | 20/100 |
| 5 | 27886 | Tarboro | NC | 65/100 | 45/100 |
| 6 | 28804 | Asheville | NC | 65/100 | 25/100 |
| 7 | 28806 | Asheville | NC | 65/100 | 25/100 |
| 8 | 27608 | Raleigh | NC | 64/100 | 46/100 |
| 9 | 28720 | Chimney Rock | NC | 64/100 | 76/100 |
| 10 | 28657 | Newland | NC | 63/100 | 62/100 |
| 11 | 28772 | Rosman | NC | 63/100 | 58/100 |
| 12 | 27514 | Chapel Hill | NC | 61/100 | 61/100 |
| 13 | 28757 | Montreat | NC | 61/100 | 69/100 |
| 14 | 28792 | Hendersonville | NC | 61/100 | 56/100 |
| 15 | 28711 | Black Mountain | NC | 60/100 | 58/100 |
| 16 | 28205 | Charlotte | NC | 59/100 | 68/100 |
| 17 | 28207 | Charlotte | NC | 59/100 | 68/100 |
| 18 | 28501 | Kinston | NC | 59/100 | 67/100 |
| 19 | 28739 | Hendersonville | NC | 59/100 | 56/100 |
| 20 | 27288 | Eden | NC | 58/100 | 47/100 |
| 21 | 28425 | Burgaw | NC | 58/100 | 55/100 |
| 22 | 28762 | Old Fort | NC | 58/100 | 77/100 |
| 23 | 27801 | Rocky Mount | NC | 57/100 | 78/100 |
| 24 | 28472 | Whiteville | NC | 57/100 | 71/100 |
| 25 | 28743 | Hot Springs | NC | 57/100 | 77/100 |
| 26 | 27555 | Micro | NC | 56/100 | 85/100 |
| 27 | 28515 | Bayboro | NC | 56/100 | 67/100 |
| 28 | 28667 | Rhodhiss | NC | 56/100 | 70/100 |
| 29 | 28725 | Dillsboro | NC | 56/100 | 81/100 |
| 30 | 27536 | Henderson | NC | 55/100 | 43/100 |
| 31 | 28540 | Jacksonville | NC | 55/100 | 74/100 |
| 32 | 28716 | Canton | NC | 55/100 | 63/100 |
| 33 | 27804 | Rocky Mount | NC | 54/100 | 78/100 |
| 34 | 27925 | Columbia | NC | 54/100 | 71/100 |
| 35 | 28320 | Bladenboro | NC | 54/100 | 59/100 |
| 36 | 28429 | Castle Hayne | NC | 54/100 | 67/100 |
| 37 | 28466 | Wallace | NC | 54/100 | 54/100 |
| 38 | 28504 | Kinston | NC | 54/100 | 67/100 |
| 39 | 28715 | Candler | NC | 54/100 | 59/100 |
| 40 | 28735 | Gerton | NC | 54/100 | 53/100 |
| 41 | 28786 | Waynesville | NC | 54/100 | 70/100 |
| 42 | 28791 | Hendersonville | NC | 54/100 | 61/100 |
| 43 | 27025 | Madison | NC | 53/100 | 56/100 |
| 44 | 27379 | Yanceyville | NC | 53/100 | 53/100 |
| 45 | 27530 | Goldsboro | NC | 53/100 | 78/100 |
| 46 | 27604 | Raleigh | NC | 53/100 | 46/100 |
| 47 | 28001 | Albemarle | NC | 53/100 | 81/100 |
| 48 | 28208 | Charlotte | NC | 53/100 | 73/100 |
| 49 | 28214 | Charlotte | NC | 53/100 | 68/100 |
| 50 | 28401 | Wilmington | NC | 53/100 | 83/100 |
| 51 | 28573 | Pollocksville | NC | 53/100 | 76/100 |
| 52 | 28643 | Lansing | NC | 53/100 | 69/100 |
| 53 | 28646 | Linville | NC | 53/100 | 71/100 |
| 54 | 28705 | Bakersville | NC | 53/100 | 56/100 |
| 55 | 28721 | Clyde | NC | 53/100 | 66/100 |
| 56 | 28787 | Weaverville | NC | 53/100 | 50/100 |
| 57 | 27609 | Raleigh | NC | 52/100 | 46/100 |
| 58 | 27695 | Raleigh | NC | 52/100 | 56/100 |
| 59 | 27803 | Rocky Mount | NC | 52/100 | 83/100 |
| 60 | 28209 | Charlotte | NC | 52/100 | 68/100 |
| 61 | 28421 | Atkinson | NC | 52/100 | 87/100 |
| 62 | 28519 | Bridgeton | NC | 52/100 | 84/100 |
| 63 | 28560 | New Bern | NC | 52/100 | 74/100 |
| 64 | 28607 | Boone | NC | 52/100 | 54/100 |
| 65 | 28610 | Claremont | NC | 52/100 | 71/100 |
| 66 | 27229 | Candor | NC | 51/100 | 45/100 |
Methodology
The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.
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 Home Purchase Risk Score?
This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.
What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?
Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.
Explore More Rankings
- Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Water in North Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Most EPA Violations in North Carolina
- Lowest Home Safety Scores in North Carolina
- Safest ZIP Codes in North Carolina — Highest Safety Scores
- ZIP Codes with Highest Flood Risk in North Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Highest Energy Costs in North Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Highest Radon Risk in North Carolina
- ZIP Codes with PFAS Detections in North Carolina
- Least Reliable Water Systems in North Carolina
- Environmental Justice Concern Areas in North Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Worst CO & Gas Risk in North Carolina
- Safest ZIP Codes for Gas & CO Risk in North Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Worst Wildfire Smoke Risk
- Safest ZIP Codes for Wildfire Smoke
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