Out of 134 ZIP codes with data in North Carolina, these are the highest-ranked areas for lead (ppb). See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Water | All North Carolina Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 134 |
| Highest value | 37.0 ppb |
| Median value | 3.5 ppb |
| State | North Carolina |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Lead (ppb) | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28338 | Ellerbe | NC | 37.0 ppb | 73/100 |
| 2 | 28032 | Cramerton | NC | 20.0 ppb | — |
| 3 | 28052 | Gastonia | NC | 20.0 ppb | — |
| 4 | 28054 | Gastonia | NC | 20.0 ppb | — |
| 5 | 28056 | Gastonia | NC | 20.0 ppb | — |
| 6 | 28101 | Mc Adenville | NC | 20.0 ppb | — |
| 7 | 28023 | China Grove | NC | 15.0 ppb | 80/100 |
| 8 | 28540 | Jacksonville | NC | 14.4 ppb | — |
| 9 | 27281 | Jackson Springs | NC | 12.8 ppb | 67/100 |
| 10 | 28344 | Godwin | NC | 12.0 ppb | 95/100 |
| 11 | 28395 | Wade | NC | 12.0 ppb | — |
| 12 | 27248 | Franklinville | NC | 11.0 ppb | — |
| 13 | 28720 | Chimney Rock | NC | 11.0 ppb | — |
| 14 | 28746 | Lake Lure | NC | 11.0 ppb | — |
| 15 | 28773 | Saluda | NC | 11.0 ppb | — |
| 16 | 28510 | Arapahoe | NC | 10.0 ppb | — |
| 17 | 28515 | Bayboro | NC | 10.0 ppb | — |
| 18 | 28529 | Grantsboro | NC | 10.0 ppb | — |
| 19 | 28552 | Lowland | NC | 10.0 ppb | — |
| 20 | 28556 | Merritt | NC | 10.0 ppb | — |
| 21 | 28571 | Oriental | NC | 10.0 ppb | — |
| 22 | 28623 | Ennice | NC | 9.6 ppb | — |
| 23 | 28627 | Glade Valley | NC | 9.6 ppb | — |
| 24 | 28472 | Whiteville | NC | 8.4 ppb | — |
| 25 | 27860 | Pantego | NC | 7.0 ppb | — |
| 26 | 27928 | Creswell | NC | 7.0 ppb | — |
| 27 | 27962 | Plymouth | NC | 7.0 ppb | — |
| 28 | 27970 | Roper | NC | 7.0 ppb | — |
| 29 | 28398 | Warsaw | NC | 7.0 ppb | — |
| 30 | 28646 | Linville | NC | 7.0 ppb | — |
| 31 | 28657 | Newland | NC | 7.0 ppb | — |
| 32 | 27052 | Walnut Cove | NC | 6.2 ppb | — |
| 33 | 27882 | Spring Hope | NC | 5.8 ppb | — |
| 34 | 28428 | Carolina Beach | NC | 5.8 ppb | 99/100 |
| 35 | 28905 | Marble | NC | 5.5 ppb | — |
| 36 | 27932 | Edenton | NC | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 37 | 28423 | Bolton | NC | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 38 | 28431 | Chadbourn | NC | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 39 | 28442 | Hallsboro | NC | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 40 | 28449 | Kure Beach | NC | 5.0 ppb | 100/100 |
| 41 | 28450 | Lake Waccamaw | NC | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 42 | 28560 | New Bern | NC | 5.0 ppb | — |
| 43 | 27233 | Climax | NC | 4.1 ppb | — |
| 44 | 27313 | Pleasant Garden | NC | 4.1 ppb | — |
| 45 | 28343 | Gibson | NC | 4.0 ppb | — |
| 46 | 28351 | Laurel Hill | NC | 4.0 ppb | — |
| 47 | 28352 | Laurinburg | NC | 4.0 ppb | — |
| 48 | 28363 | Marston | NC | 4.0 ppb | — |
| 49 | 28396 | Wagram | NC | 4.0 ppb | — |
| 50 | 28443 | Hampstead | NC | 4.0 ppb | — |
| 51 | 28464 | Teachey | NC | 4.0 ppb | — |
| 52 | 28512 | Atlantic Beach | NC | 4.0 ppb | 97/100 |
| 53 | 28516 | Beaufort | NC | 4.0 ppb | 98/100 |
| 54 | 28542 | Camp Lejeune | NC | 4.0 ppb | — |
| 55 | 28547 | Camp Lejeune | NC | 4.0 ppb | — |
| 56 | 28575 | Salter Path | NC | 4.0 ppb | — |
| 57 | 28594 | Emerald Isle | NC | 4.0 ppb | 98/100 |
| 58 | 28741 | Highlands | NC | 4.0 ppb | 77/100 |
| 59 | 27948 | Kill Devil Hills | NC | 3.9 ppb | — |
| 60 | 27949 | Kitty Hawk | NC | 3.9 ppb | — |
| 61 | 27953 | Manns Harbor | NC | 3.9 ppb | — |
| 62 | 27954 | Manteo | NC | 3.9 ppb | — |
| 63 | 27978 | Stumpy Point | NC | 3.9 ppb | — |
| 64 | 27981 | Wanchese | NC | 3.9 ppb | — |
| 65 | 27013 | Cleveland | NC | 3.8 ppb | 80/100 |
| 66 | 27054 | Woodleaf | NC | 3.8 ppb | — |
| 67 | 28120 | Mount Holly | NC | 3.5 ppb | — |
| 68 | 27021 | King | NC | 3.4 ppb | — |
| 69 | 27040 | Pfafftown | NC | 3.4 ppb | 81/100 |
| 70 | 27043 | Pinnacle | NC | 3.4 ppb | — |
| 71 | 27045 | Rural Hall | NC | 3.4 ppb | 70/100 |
| 72 | 27050 | Tobaccoville | NC | 3.4 ppb | 81/100 |
| 73 | 27053 | Westfield | NC | 3.4 ppb | — |
| 74 | 27830 | Fremont | NC | 3.3 ppb | 93/100 |
| 75 | 27883 | Stantonsburg | NC | 3.3 ppb | — |
| 76 | 27591 | Wendell | NC | 3.2 ppb | 59/100 |
| 77 | 28430 | Cerro Gordo | NC | 3.1 ppb | — |
| 78 | 28439 | Fair Bluff | NC | 3.1 ppb | — |
| 79 | 27921 | Camden | NC | 3.1 ppb | — |
| 80 | 27973 | Shawboro | NC | 3.1 ppb | — |
| 81 | 27974 | Shiloh | NC | 3.1 ppb | — |
| 82 | 27976 | South Mills | NC | 3.1 ppb | — |
| 83 | 27212 | Blanch | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 84 | 27258 | Haw River | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 85 | 27379 | Yanceyville | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 86 | 27509 | Butner | NC | 3.0 ppb | 83/100 |
| 87 | 27522 | Creedmoor | NC | 3.0 ppb | 82/100 |
| 88 | 27545 | Knightdale | NC | 3.0 ppb | 50/100 |
| 89 | 27916 | Aydlett | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 90 | 27917 | Barco | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 91 | 27923 | Coinjock | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 92 | 27929 | Currituck | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 93 | 27939 | Grandy | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 94 | 27941 | Harbinger | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 95 | 27947 | Jarvisburg | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 96 | 27950 | Knotts Island | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 97 | 27956 | Maple | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 98 | 27958 | Moyock | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
| 99 | 27964 | Point Harbor | NC | 3.0 ppb | — |
Methodology
Lead rankings are based on the 90th percentile lead testing value (PB90) reported by water systems under the Lead and Copper Rule. When CCR data is unavailable, EPA SDWIS lead sampling data is used. The EPA action level for lead is 15 ppb (0.015 mg/L). There is no safe level of lead exposure.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-10-14.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dangerous lead level in water?
The EPA action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1 ppb for school drinking water. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
How is lead measured in water?
Water systems collect samples from homes with known lead service lines or lead solder. The 90th percentile value (PB90) means 90% of samples tested below that level. If PB90 exceeds 15 ppb, the system must take corrective action.
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