Worst Infrastructure: Charlotte Metro — 2026

Out of 87 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in the Charlotte metro area, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	87
Highest risk	49%
Median risk	35%
Average risk	34%

Top 87 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	28223	Charlotte	NC	49%	High	84/100
2	28207	Charlotte	NC	46%	High	68/100
3	28052	Gastonia	NC	43%	High	77/100
4	28205	Charlotte	NC	43%	High	68/100
5	28208	Charlotte	NC	43%	High	73/100
6	28025	Concord	NC	41%	High	81/100
7	28212	Charlotte	NC	40%	Moderate	78/100
8	28210	Charlotte	NC	39%	Moderate	73/100
9	28211	Charlotte	NC	39%	Moderate	68/100
10	28209	Charlotte	NC	38%	Moderate	68/100
11	28226	Charlotte	NC	38%	Moderate	73/100
12	28026	Concord	NC	37%	Moderate	87/100
13	28054	Gastonia	NC	37%	Moderate	77/100
14	28053	Gastonia	NC	36%	Moderate	82/100
15	28055	Gastonia	NC	36%	Moderate	82/100
16	28201	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
17	28206	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	73/100
18	28218	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
19	28219	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
20	28220	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
21	28221	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
22	28222	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	83/100
23	28224	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	83/100
24	28228	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	83/100
25	28229	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
26	28230	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
27	28231	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
28	28232	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
29	28233	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
30	28234	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
31	28235	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	83/100
32	28236	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
33	28237	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	83/100
34	28241	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	83/100
35	28242	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
36	28243	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
37	28244	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
38	28246	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
39	28247	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
40	28250	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
41	28253	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
42	28254	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
43	28255	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
44	28256	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
45	28258	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
46	28260	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
47	28263	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
48	28265	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
49	28266	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
50	28271	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
51	28272	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
52	28274	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
53	28275	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
54	28280	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	83/100
55	28281	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
56	28282	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	83/100
57	28284	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	83/100
58	28285	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
59	28287	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
60	28288	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
61	28289	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
62	28290	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
63	28296	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
64	28297	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	84/100
65	28299	Charlotte	NC	35%	Moderate	83/100
66	28217	Charlotte	NC	34%	Moderate	78/100
67	28227	Charlotte	NC	34%	Moderate	78/100
68	28215	Charlotte	NC	33%	Moderate	68/100
69	28056	Gastonia	NC	32%	Moderate	82/100
70	28214	Charlotte	NC	32%	Moderate	68/100
71	28216	Charlotte	NC	32%	Moderate	73/100
72	28270	Charlotte	NC	32%	Moderate	78/100
73	28203	Charlotte	NC	31%	Moderate	78/100
74	28204	Charlotte	NC	31%	Moderate	78/100
75	28213	Charlotte	NC	31%	Moderate	78/100
76	28027	Concord	NC	30%	Moderate	81/100
77	29731	Rock Hill	SC	30%	Moderate	82/100
78	29733	Rock Hill	SC	30%	Moderate	82/100
79	29734	Rock Hill	SC	30%	Moderate	82/100
80	29730	Rock Hill	SC	28%	Moderate	77/100
81	28202	Charlotte	NC	26%	Moderate	83/100
82	28269	Charlotte	NC	26%	Moderate	83/100
83	28262	Charlotte	NC	25%	Moderate	83/100
84	28273	Charlotte	NC	25%	Moderate	83/100
85	28277	Charlotte	NC	25%	Moderate	78/100
86	29732	Rock Hill	SC	25%	Moderate	77/100
87	28278	Charlotte	NC	24%	Moderate	83/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.