Worst Infrastructure: North Carolina

Out of 1,016 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in North Carolina, 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	1,016
Highest risk	59%
Median risk	35%
Average risk	35%
State	North Carolina

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	27570	Ridgeway	NC	59%	High	53/100
2	28509	Alliance	NC	59%	High	73/100
3	28653	Montezuma	NC	59%	High	53/100
4	28666	Icard	NC	59%	High	53/100
5	27827	Falkland	NC	58%	High	73/100
6	27201	Alamance	NC	57%	High	96/100
7	28801	Asheville	NC	57%	High	25/100
8	27014	Cooleemee	NC	54%	High	53/100
9	27536	Henderson	NC	54%	High	43/100
10	28009	Badin	NC	53%	High	86/100
11	28345	Hamlet	NC	53%	High	73/100
12	28089	Lattimore	NC	52%	High	53/100
13	28144	Salisbury	NC	52%	High	64/100
14	27325	Robbins	NC	51%	High	78/100
15	28524	Davis	NC	51%	High	55/100
16	28667	Rhodhiss	NC	51%	High	70/100
17	27229	Candor	NC	50%	High	45/100
18	27340	Saxapahaw	NC	50%	High	94/100
19	28102	Mc Farlan	NC	50%	High	66/100
20	28367	Norman	NC	50%	High	66/100
21	28641	Jonas Ridge	NC	50%	High	82/100
22	28804	Asheville	NC	50%	High	25/100
23	27288	Eden	NC	49%	High	47/100
24	27556	Middleburg	NC	49%	High	53/100
25	27584	Townsville	NC	49%	High	66/100
26	27881	Speed	NC	49%	High	73/100
27	28223	Charlotte	NC	49%	High	84/100
28	28401	Wilmington	NC	49%	High	83/100
29	28537	Hobucken	NC	49%	High	60/100
30	28720	Chimney Rock	NC	49%	High	76/100
31	27403	Greensboro	NC	48%	High	85/100
32	27886	Tarboro	NC	48%	High	45/100
33	28128	Norwood	NC	48%	High	80/100
34	28305	Fayetteville	NC	48%	High	89/100
35	28350	Lakeview	NC	48%	High	66/100
36	28806	Asheville	NC	48%	High	25/100
37	27408	Greensboro	NC	47%	High	80/100
38	27962	Plymouth	NC	47%	High	78/100
39	28001	Albemarle	NC	47%	High	81/100
40	28041	Faith	NC	47%	High	65/100
41	28042	Fallston	NC	47%	High	53/100
42	28150	Shelby	NC	47%	High	52/100
43	28160	Spindale	NC	47%	High	53/100
44	28501	Kinston	NC	47%	High	67/100
45	28553	Marshallberg	NC	47%	High	60/100
46	28757	Montreat	NC	47%	High	69/100
47	28805	Asheville	NC	47%	High	25/100
48	27202	Altamahaw	NC	46%	High	66/100
49	27213	Bonlee	NC	46%	High	73/100
50	27256	Gulf	NC	46%	High	66/100
51	27260	High Point	NC	46%	High	89/100
52	27342	Sedalia	NC	46%	High	66/100
53	27371	Troy	NC	46%	High	79/100
54	27379	Yanceyville	NC	46%	High	53/100
55	27840	Hamilton	NC	46%	High	85/100
56	28109	Misenheimer	NC	46%	High	66/100
57	28207	Charlotte	NC	46%	High	68/100
58	28368	Olivia	NC	46%	High	66/100
59	28378	Rex	NC	46%	High	66/100
60	28511	Atlantic	NC	46%	High	60/100
61	28662	Pineola	NC	46%	High	63/100
62	27019	Germanton	NC	45%	High	65/100
63	27027	Mayodan	NC	45%	High	61/100
64	27042	Pine Hall	NC	45%	High	40/100
65	27262	High Point	NC	45%	High	84/100
66	27555	Micro	NC	45%	High	85/100
67	27818	Como	NC	45%	High	73/100
68	27820	Conway	NC	45%	High	87/100
69	28170	Wadesboro	NC	45%	High	78/100
70	28320	Bladenboro	NC	45%	High	59/100
71	28338	Ellerbe	NC	45%	High	69/100
72	28396	Wagram	NC	45%	High	97/100
73	28637	Hildebran	NC	45%	High	82/100
74	28745	Lake Junaluska	NC	45%	High	82/100
75	28788	Webster	NC	45%	High	63/100
76	27209	Biscoe	NC	44%	High	82/100
77	27320	Reidsville	NC	44%	High	61/100
78	27508	Bunn	NC	44%	High	73/100
79	27608	Raleigh	NC	44%	High	46/100
80	27701	Durham	NC	44%	High	87/100
81	27871	Robersonville	NC	44%	High	81/100
82	28090	Lawndale	NC	44%	High	58/100
83	28152	Shelby	NC	44%	High	52/100
84	28375	Proctorville	NC	44%	High	66/100
85	28615	Creston	NC	44%	High	63/100
86	28690	Valdese	NC	44%	High	61/100
87	28770	Ridgecrest	NC	44%	High	54/100
88	27316	Ramseur	NC	43%	High	81/100
89	27537	Henderson	NC	43%	High	43/100
90	27845	Jackson	NC	43%	High	82/100
91	27862	Pendleton	NC	43%	High	73/100
92	27890	Weldon	NC	43%	High	87/100
93	28023	China Grove	NC	43%	High	67/100
94	28040	Ellenboro	NC	43%	High	45/100
95	28052	Gastonia	NC	43%	High	77/100
96	28098	Lowell	NC	43%	High	71/100
97	28136	Polkville	NC	43%	High	53/100
98	28146	Salisbury	NC	43%	High	64/100
99	28205	Charlotte	NC	43%	High	68/100
100	28208	Charlotte	NC	43%	High	73/100

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.

Worst Infrastructure: North Carolina — 2026 Rankings