Worst Infrastructure: North Carolina

Out of 1,054 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	1,054
Highest risk	67%
Median risk	39%
Average risk	39%
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	67%	Very High	53/100
2	28509	Alliance	NC	67%	Very High	73/100
3	28653	Montezuma	NC	66%	Very High	53/100
4	28524	Davis	NC	64%	Very High	55/100
5	27014	Cooleemee	NC	63%	Very High	53/100
6	27881	Speed	NC	63%	Very High	73/100
7	28367	Norman	NC	63%	Very High	66/100
8	27515	Chapel Hill	NC	60%	High	76/100
9	27599	Chapel Hill	NC	60%	High	75/100
10	28160	Spindale	NC	59%	High	53/100
11	28553	Marshallberg	NC	59%	High	60/100
12	28666	Icard	NC	59%	High	53/100
13	27556	Middleburg	NC	58%	High	53/100
14	27815	Rocky Mount	NC	58%	High	97/100
15	27827	Falkland	NC	58%	High	73/100
16	28109	Misenheimer	NC	58%	High	66/100
17	28511	Atlantic	NC	58%	High	60/100
18	27201	Alamance	NC	57%	High	96/100
19	28537	Hobucken	NC	57%	High	60/100
20	28801	Asheville	NC	57%	High	25/100
21	28009	Badin	NC	55%	High	86/100
22	28735	Gerton	NC	55%	High	53/100
23	28788	Webster	NC	55%	High	63/100
24	27208	Bennett	NC	54%	High	66/100
25	27342	Sedalia	NC	54%	High	66/100
26	27536	Henderson	NC	54%	High	43/100
27	28802	Asheville	NC	54%	High	35/100
28	28810	Asheville	NC	54%	High	21/100
29	28813	Asheville	NC	54%	High	35/100
30	28814	Asheville	NC	54%	High	35/100
31	28815	Asheville	NC	54%	High	21/100
32	28816	Asheville	NC	54%	High	21/100
33	27042	Pine Hall	NC	53%	High	40/100
34	27202	Altamahaw	NC	53%	High	66/100
35	27213	Bonlee	NC	53%	High	73/100
36	27256	Gulf	NC	53%	High	66/100
37	27375	Wentworth	NC	53%	High	41/100
38	27818	Como	NC	53%	High	73/100
39	28345	Hamlet	NC	53%	High	73/100
40	28363	Marston	NC	53%	High	66/100
41	28615	Creston	NC	53%	High	63/100
42	27322	Reidsville	NC	52%	High	55/100
43	27323	Reidsville	NC	52%	High	86/100
44	27331	Sanford	NC	52%	High	90/100
45	27829	Fountain	NC	52%	High	86/100
46	28144	Salisbury	NC	52%	High	64/100
47	28350	Lakeview	NC	52%	High	66/100
48	28375	Proctorville	NC	52%	High	66/100
49	28378	Rex	NC	52%	High	66/100
50	28541	Jacksonville	NC	52%	High	89/100
51	27209	Biscoe	NC	51%	High	82/100
52	27229	Candor	NC	51%	High	45/100
53	27325	Robbins	NC	51%	High	78/100
54	27812	Bethel	NC	51%	High	90/100
55	27862	Pendleton	NC	51%	High	73/100
56	28089	Lattimore	NC	51%	High	53/100
57	28552	Lowland	NC	51%	High	60/100
58	28667	Rhodhiss	NC	51%	High	70/100
59	27212	Blanch	NC	50%	High	53/100
60	27340	Saxapahaw	NC	50%	High	94/100
61	27594	Wise	NC	50%	High	53/100
62	27886	Tarboro	NC	50%	High	45/100
63	27919	Belvidere	NC	50%	High	73/100
64	28102	Mc Farlan	NC	50%	High	66/100
65	28362	Marietta	NC	50%	High	66/100
66	28379	Rockingham	NC	50%	High	74/100
67	28641	Jonas Ridge	NC	50%	High	82/100
68	28757	Montreat	NC	50%	High	69/100
69	28804	Asheville	NC	50%	High	25/100
70	27288	Eden	NC	49%	High	47/100
71	27289	Eden	NC	49%	High	57/100
72	28001	Albemarle	NC	49%	High	81/100
73	28002	Albemarle	NC	49%	High	94/100
74	28026	Concord	NC	49%	High	87/100
75	28223	Charlotte	NC	49%	High	84/100
76	28368	Olivia	NC	49%	High	66/100
77	28401	Wilmington	NC	49%	High	83/100
78	28720	Chimney Rock	NC	49%	High	76/100
79	28725	Dillsboro	NC	49%	High	81/100
80	28745	Lake Junaluska	NC	49%	High	82/100
81	27247	Ether	NC	48%	High	66/100
82	27403	Greensboro	NC	48%	High	85/100
83	27512	Cary	NC	48%	High	66/100
84	27532	Goldsboro	NC	48%	High	97/100
85	27533	Goldsboro	NC	48%	High	93/100
86	27584	Townsville	NC	48%	High	66/100
87	27602	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	73/100
88	27611	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	73/100
89	27619	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	56/100
90	27620	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	56/100
91	27621	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	73/100
92	27622	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	61/100
93	27623	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	61/100
94	27624	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	56/100
95	27625	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	56/100
96	27626	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	61/100
97	27627	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	56/100
98	27628	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	61/100
99	27629	Raleigh	NC	48%	High	61/100
100	27634	Raleigh	NC	48%	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: 2026-07-19.

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