2026 Rankings

Worst Infrastructure: Virginia — 2026 Rankings

Last updated: October 15, 2026

854 ZIP codes ranked by Infrastructure Stress Indicator #1: ZIP 22743 (Syria, VA) - 69/100

Out of 854 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Virginia, these areas have the highest modeled infrastructure stress indicator values, computed from area-level data on infrastructure age, funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. The indicator is not a measured failure probability or forecast.

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 854
Highest stress indicator 69/100
Median stress indicator 37/100
Average stress indicator 37/100
State Virginia

Top 100 ZIP Codes by Infrastructure Stress

Rank ZIP Code City State Infrastructure Stress Stress Level Safety Score
1 22743 Syria VA 69/100 Very High —
2 23943 Hampden Sydney VA 69/100 Very High —
3 22730 Oakpark VA 66/100 Very High —
4 23045 Diggs VA 66/100 Very High —
5 23056 Foster VA 66/100 Very High —
6 23163 Susan VA 66/100 Very High —
7 23651 Fort Monroe VA 66/100 Very High —
8 22211 Fort Myer VA 65/100 Very High 83/100
9 23401 Keller VA 65/100 Very High —
10 24476 Steeles Tavern VA 65/100 Very High —
11 24604 Bishop VA 65/100 Very High —
12 24606 Boissevain VA 65/100 Very High —
13 22948 Locust Dale VA 64/100 Very High —
14 23691 Yorktown VA 64/100 Very High —
15 23708 Portsmouth VA 64/100 Very High —
16 24282 Saint Charles VA 62/100 Very High —
17 24474 Selma VA 62/100 Very High —
18 23359 Hallwood VA 61/100 Very High —
19 20184 Upperville VA 60/100 High —
20 22811 Bergton VA 60/100 High —
21 22943 Greenwood VA 60/100 High —
22 23480 Wachapreague VA 60/100 High —
23 24093 Glen Lyn VA 60/100 High —
24 24265 Keokee VA 60/100 High —
25 24457 Low Moor VA 60/100 High —
26 22845 Orkney Springs VA 59/100 High —
27 23486 Willis Wharf VA 59/100 High —
28 24301 Pulaski VA 59/100 High —
29 22437 Center Cross VA 58/100 High —
30 22504 Laneview VA 58/100 High —
31 22509 Loretto VA 58/100 High —
32 23066 Gwynn VA 58/100 High —
33 23416 Oak Hall VA 58/100 High —
34 23422 Pungoteague VA 58/100 High —
35 23427 Saxis VA 58/100 High —
36 23976 Wylliesburg VA 58/100 High —
37 24448 Iron Gate VA 58/100 High —
38 22964 Piney River VA 57/100 High —
39 24058 Belspring VA 57/100 High —
40 24237 Dante VA 57/100 High —
41 24272 Nora VA 57/100 High —
42 22538 Rappahannock Academy VA 56/100 High —
43 22627 Flint Hill VA 56/100 High —
44 22824 Edinburg VA 56/100 High —
45 22989 Woodberry Forest VA 56/100 High —
46 23025 Cardinal VA 56/100 High —
47 24129 New River VA 56/100 High —
48 24168 Stanleytown VA 56/100 High —
49 24292 Whitetop VA 56/100 High —
50 24412 Bacova VA 56/100 High —
51 22438 Champlain VA 55/100 High —
52 23032 Church View VA 55/100 High —
53 23062 Gloucester Point VA 55/100 High —
54 23828 Branchville VA 55/100 High —
55 23868 Lawrenceville VA 55/100 High —
56 24011 Roanoke VA 55/100 High —
57 24147 Rich Creek VA 55/100 High —
58 24351 Lambsburg VA 55/100 High —
59 24374 Speedwell VA 55/100 High —
60 24422 Clifton Forge VA 55/100 High —
61 22747 Washington VA 54/100 High —
62 23138 Port Haywood VA 54/100 High —
63 23874 Newsoms VA 54/100 High —
64 23879 Skippers VA 54/100 High —
65 23897 Yale VA 54/100 High —
66 23959 Phenix VA 54/100 High —
67 24013 Roanoke VA 54/100 High —
68 24413 Blue Grass VA 54/100 High —
69 24442 Head Waters VA 54/100 High —
70 24526 Big Island VA 54/100 High —
71 24569 Long Island VA 54/100 High —
72 22664 Woodstock VA 53/100 High —
73 23843 Dolphin VA 53/100 High —
74 23938 Dundas VA 53/100 High —
75 23974 Victoria VA 53/100 High —
76 24015 Roanoke VA 53/100 High —
77 24085 Eagle Rock VA 53/100 High —
78 24089 Fieldale VA 53/100 High —
79 24271 Nickelsville VA 53/100 High —
80 24504 Lynchburg VA 53/100 High 83/100
81 22205 Arlington VA 52/100 High 83/100
82 23079 Jamaica VA 52/100 High —
83 23221 Richmond VA 52/100 High 100/100
84 24217 Bee VA 52/100 High —
85 24578 Natural Bridge VA 52/100 High —
86 24657 Whitewood VA 52/100 High —
87 22722 Haywood VA 51/100 High —
88 22976 Tyro VA 51/100 High —
89 23661 Hampton VA 51/100 High 83/100
90 23944 Kenbridge VA 51/100 High —
91 24562 Howardsville VA 51/100 High —
92 22611 Berryville VA 50/100 High —
93 23511 Norfolk VA 50/100 High 83/100
94 23707 Portsmouth VA 50/100 High —
95 24016 Roanoke VA 50/100 High —
96 22935 Dyke VA 49/100 High —
97 23856 Freeman VA 49/100 High —
98 23930 Crewe VA 49/100 High —
99 24124 Narrows VA 49/100 High 50/100
100 24216 Appalachia VA 49/100 High —

Methodology

Infrastructure stress rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA 2023) — state-level 20-year infrastructure need per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) available Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and testing results. The combined value is a normalized 0-100 comparative stress indicator, not a measured pipe-failure probability or a forecast.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-10-15.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the infrastructure stress indicator mean?

The indicator summarizes infrastructure funding gaps, housing age, violation history, and lead indicators on a 0-100 scale. It is a comparative heuristic, not a measured pipe-failure probability or a forecast of a water-main break.

How is infrastructure stress calculated?

The indicator combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure need per capita (EPA DWINSA 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system compliance history (EPA SDWIS), and available lead indicators.

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Ask your water utility or health department about testing your tap water, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. If you use a filter, choose one certified under NSF/ANSI 53 for the specific contaminant, such as lead. Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high stress mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure stress is a screening indicator of long-term vulnerability, not a measurement of current contamination or a prediction of failure. For current conditions, check utility notices and the latest Consumer Confidence Report, and test your tap for contaminants of concern.

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 service-line indicators and system-level action-level 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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