2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in North Carolina — 2026

Last updated: July 19, 2026

1,085 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 28641 (Jonas Ridge, NC) - 74/100
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 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 37/100
State North Carolina

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 28641 Jonas Ridge NC 74/100 82/100
2 28801 Asheville NC 73/100 25/100
3 28805 Asheville NC 71/100 25/100
4 28803 Asheville NC 67/100 20/100
5 27886 Tarboro NC 65/100 45/100
6 27608 Raleigh NC 64/100 46/100
7 28657 Newland NC 64/100 62/100
8 28804 Asheville NC 64/100 25/100
9 28806 Asheville NC 64/100 25/100
10 27375 Wentworth NC 63/100 41/100
11 28720 Chimney Rock NC 63/100 76/100
12 28772 Rosman NC 62/100 58/100
13 27514 Chapel Hill NC 61/100 61/100
14 28792 Hendersonville NC 61/100 56/100
15 28757 Montreat NC 60/100 69/100
16 28205 Charlotte NC 59/100 68/100
17 28207 Charlotte NC 59/100 68/100
18 28711 Black Mountain NC 59/100 58/100
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 28501 Kinston NC 58/100 67/100
23 28762 Old Fort NC 58/100 77/100
24 28802 Asheville NC 58/100 35/100
25 28810 Asheville NC 58/100 21/100
26 28813 Asheville NC 58/100 35/100
27 28814 Asheville NC 58/100 35/100
28 28815 Asheville NC 58/100 21/100
29 28816 Asheville NC 58/100 21/100
30 27289 Eden NC 57/100 57/100
31 27322 Reidsville NC 57/100 55/100
32 27801 Rocky Mount NC 57/100 78/100
33 28472 Whiteville NC 57/100 71/100
34 28743 Hot Springs NC 57/100 77/100
35 27536 Henderson NC 56/100 43/100
36 27555 Micro NC 56/100 85/100
37 28515 Bayboro NC 56/100 67/100
38 28667 Rhodhiss NC 56/100 70/100
39 28725 Dillsboro NC 56/100 81/100
40 27925 Columbia NC 55/100 71/100
41 28540 Jacksonville NC 55/100 74/100
42 28793 Hendersonville NC 55/100 66/100
43 27025 Madison NC 54/100 56/100
44 27804 Rocky Mount NC 54/100 78/100
45 27877 Severn NC 54/100 86/100
46 28320 Bladenboro NC 54/100 59/100
47 28429 Castle Hayne NC 54/100 67/100
48 28466 Wallace NC 54/100 54/100
49 28504 Kinston NC 54/100 67/100
50 28643 Lansing NC 54/100 69/100
51 28716 Canton NC 54/100 63/100
52 28735 Gerton NC 54/100 53/100
53 28791 Hendersonville NC 54/100 61/100
54 27379 Yanceyville NC 53/100 53/100
55 27530 Goldsboro NC 53/100 78/100
56 27604 Raleigh NC 53/100 46/100
57 28001 Albemarle NC 53/100 81/100
58 28208 Charlotte NC 53/100 73/100
59 28214 Charlotte NC 53/100 68/100
60 28401 Wilmington NC 53/100 83/100
61 28573 Pollocksville NC 53/100 76/100
62 28646 Linville NC 53/100 71/100
63 28705 Bakersville NC 53/100 56/100
64 28715 Candler NC 53/100 59/100
65 28786 Waynesville NC 53/100 70/100
66 27408 Greensboro NC 52/100 80/100
67 27512 Cary NC 52/100 66/100
68 27609 Raleigh NC 52/100 46/100
69 27619 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
70 27620 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
71 27622 Raleigh NC 52/100 61/100
72 27623 Raleigh NC 52/100 61/100
73 27624 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
74 27625 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
75 27626 Raleigh NC 52/100 61/100
76 27627 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
77 27628 Raleigh NC 52/100 61/100
78 27629 Raleigh NC 52/100 61/100
79 27635 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
80 27636 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
81 27640 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
82 27656 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
83 27658 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
84 27661 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
85 27668 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
86 27675 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
87 27676 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
88 27690 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
89 27695 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
90 27697 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
91 27699 Raleigh NC 52/100 56/100
92 27803 Rocky Mount NC 52/100 83/100
93 28209 Charlotte NC 52/100 68/100
94 28421 Atkinson NC 52/100 87/100
95 28519 Bridgeton NC 52/100 84/100
96 28560 New Bern NC 52/100 74/100
97 28607 Boone NC 52/100 54/100
98 28610 Claremont NC 52/100 71/100
99 28662 Pineola NC 52/100 63/100
100 28721 Clyde NC 52/100 66/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. 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: 2026-07-19.

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

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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