Worst Infrastructure: Tennessee — 2026 Rankings

Out of 699 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Tennessee, 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	699
Highest risk	53%
Median risk	28%
Average risk	28%
State	Tennessee

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	37213	Nashville	TN	53%	High	64/100
2	37682	Milligan College	TN	52%	High	40/100
3	37733	Rugby	TN	52%	High	53/100
4	38046	La Grange	TN	52%	High	66/100
5	37110	Mcminnville	TN	48%	High	53/100
6	37351	Lupton City	TN	48%	High	53/100
7	37665	Kingsport	TN	47%	High	63/100
8	37830	Oak Ridge	TN	47%	High	69/100
9	37917	Knoxville	TN	46%	High	60/100
10	38585	Spencer	TN	46%	High	58/100
11	38425	Clifton	TN	45%	High	49/100
12	37407	Chattanooga	TN	44%	High	74/100
13	37409	Chattanooga	TN	44%	High	79/100
14	38104	Memphis	TN	44%	High	90/100
15	38255	Sharon	TN	44%	High	87/100
16	38562	Gainesboro	TN	44%	High	40/100
17	37350	Lookout Mountain	TN	43%	High	53/100
18	38106	Memphis	TN	43%	High	90/100
19	38112	Memphis	TN	43%	High	95/100
20	38114	Memphis	TN	43%	High	90/100
21	38122	Memphis	TN	43%	High	90/100
22	37394	Viola	TN	42%	High	53/100
23	38107	Memphis	TN	42%	High	90/100
24	38108	Memphis	TN	42%	High	95/100
25	37404	Chattanooga	TN	41%	High	69/100
26	37769	Lake City	TN	41%	High	51/100
27	38111	Memphis	TN	41%	High	90/100
28	38457	Five Points	TN	41%	High	53/100
29	37151	Riddleton	TN	40%	Moderate	45/100
30	37317	Copperhill	TN	40%	Moderate	79/100
31	37411	Chattanooga	TN	40%	Moderate	69/100
32	37618	Bluff City	TN	40%	Moderate	60/100
33	37748	Harriman	TN	40%	Moderate	57/100
34	37857	Rogersville	TN	40%	Moderate	54/100
35	37902	Knoxville	TN	40%	Moderate	70/100
36	37914	Knoxville	TN	40%	Moderate	65/100
37	38235	Mc Lemoresville	TN	40%	Moderate	66/100
38	38575	Moss	TN	40%	Moderate	72/100
39	37326	Ducktown	TN	39%	Moderate	53/100
40	37387	Tracy City	TN	39%	Moderate	88/100
41	37660	Kingsport	TN	39%	Moderate	57/100
42	37664	Kingsport	TN	39%	Moderate	62/100
43	37680	Laurel Bloomery	TN	39%	Moderate	63/100
44	37743	Greeneville	TN	39%	Moderate	65/100
45	37890	White Pine	TN	39%	Moderate	63/100
46	38109	Memphis	TN	39%	Moderate	90/100
47	38116	Memphis	TN	39%	Moderate	90/100
48	38117	Memphis	TN	39%	Moderate	90/100
49	38220	Atwood	TN	39%	Moderate	89/100
50	38258	Trezevant	TN	39%	Moderate	99/100
51	38330	Dyer	TN	39%	Moderate	81/100
52	38389	Yorkville	TN	39%	Moderate	66/100
53	38556	Jamestown	TN	39%	Moderate	78/100
54	37057	Dixon Springs	TN	38%	Moderate	53/100
55	37058	Dover	TN	38%	Moderate	80/100
56	37061	Erin	TN	38%	Moderate	71/100
57	37111	Mcminnville	TN	38%	Moderate	58/100
58	37216	Nashville	TN	38%	Moderate	59/100
59	37716	Clinton	TN	38%	Moderate	51/100
60	37745	Greeneville	TN	38%	Moderate	70/100
61	38118	Memphis	TN	38%	Moderate	90/100
62	38127	Memphis	TN	38%	Moderate	85/100
63	38473	Minor Hill	TN	38%	Moderate	66/100
64	38486	Westpoint	TN	38%	Moderate	56/100
65	38563	Gordonsville	TN	38%	Moderate	62/100
66	37012	Alexandria	TN	37%	Moderate	66/100
67	37160	Shelbyville	TN	37%	Moderate	57/100
68	37220	Nashville	TN	37%	Moderate	64/100
69	37385	Tellico Plains	TN	37%	Moderate	69/100
70	37643	Elizabethton	TN	37%	Moderate	72/100
71	37663	Kingsport	TN	37%	Moderate	62/100
72	37715	Clairfield	TN	37%	Moderate	68/100
73	37762	Jellico	TN	37%	Moderate	81/100
74	37810	Mohawk	TN	37%	Moderate	66/100
75	37840	Oliver Springs	TN	37%	Moderate	64/100
76	38036	Gallaway	TN	37%	Moderate	96/100
77	38105	Memphis	TN	37%	Moderate	95/100
78	38301	Jackson	TN	37%	Moderate	54/100
79	38317	Bruceton	TN	37%	Moderate	95/100
80	38549	Byrdstown	TN	37%	Moderate	63/100
81	37030	Carthage	TN	36%	Moderate	59/100
82	37074	Hartsville	TN	36%	Moderate	53/100
83	37166	Smithville	TN	36%	Moderate	78/100
84	37205	Nashville	TN	36%	Moderate	54/100
85	37212	Nashville	TN	36%	Moderate	64/100
86	37388	Tullahoma	TN	36%	Moderate	90/100
87	37398	Winchester	TN	36%	Moderate	81/100
88	37412	Chattanooga	TN	36%	Moderate	64/100
89	37620	Bristol	TN	36%	Moderate	58/100
90	38012	Brownsville	TN	36%	Moderate	85/100
91	38079	Tiptonville	TN	36%	Moderate	90/100
92	38233	Kenton	TN	36%	Moderate	85/100
93	38240	Obion	TN	36%	Moderate	85/100
94	38251	Puryear	TN	36%	Moderate	92/100
95	38259	Trimble	TN	36%	Moderate	66/100
96	38587	Walling	TN	36%	Moderate	53/100
97	37134	New Johnsonville	TN	35%	Moderate	64/100
98	37218	Nashville	TN	35%	Moderate	54/100
99	37318	Cowan	TN	35%	Moderate	95/100
100	37406	Chattanooga	TN	35%	Moderate	74/100

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.