Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Water in North Carolina ...

Out of 247 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	247
Highest value	37.0 ppb
Median value	4.0 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	28012	Belmont	NC	20.0 ppb	—
3	28016	Bessemer City	NC	20.0 ppb	—
4	28032	Cramerton	NC	20.0 ppb	—
5	28034	Dallas	NC	20.0 ppb	—
6	28052	Gastonia	NC	20.0 ppb	—
7	28054	Gastonia	NC	20.0 ppb	—
8	28056	Gastonia	NC	20.0 ppb	—
9	28086	Kings Mountain	NC	20.0 ppb	—
10	28098	Lowell	NC	20.0 ppb	—
11	28101	Mc Adenville	NC	20.0 ppb	—
12	27591	Wendell	NC	15.0 ppb	59/100
13	28023	China Grove	NC	15.0 ppb	80/100
14	28146	Salisbury	NC	15.0 ppb	95/100
15	28147	Salisbury	NC	15.0 ppb	98/100
16	28540	Jacksonville	NC	14.4 ppb	—
17	28546	Jacksonville	NC	14.4 ppb	—
18	28405	Wilmington	NC	13.5 ppb	92/100
19	28429	Castle Hayne	NC	13.5 ppb	92/100
20	27281	Jackson Springs	NC	12.8 ppb	67/100
21	27376	West End	NC	12.8 ppb	—
22	28312	Fayetteville	NC	12.0 ppb	79/100
23	28334	Dunn	NC	12.0 ppb	—
24	28344	Godwin	NC	12.0 ppb	95/100
25	28395	Wade	NC	12.0 ppb	—
26	28401	Wilmington	NC	12.0 ppb	80/100
27	27203	Asheboro	NC	11.0 ppb	—
28	27248	Franklinville	NC	11.0 ppb	—
29	28139	Rutherfordton	NC	11.0 ppb	—
30	28720	Chimney Rock	NC	11.0 ppb	—
31	28746	Lake Lure	NC	11.0 ppb	—
32	28773	Saluda	NC	11.0 ppb	—
33	28782	Tryon	NC	11.0 ppb	—
34	27520	Clayton	NC	10.9 ppb	75/100
35	28531	Harkers Island	NC	10.5 ppb	—
36	27320	Reidsville	NC	10.0 ppb	50/100
37	27610	Raleigh	NC	10.0 ppb	50/100
38	28037	Denver	NC	10.0 ppb	65/100
39	28510	Arapahoe	NC	10.0 ppb	—
40	28515	Bayboro	NC	10.0 ppb	—
41	28529	Grantsboro	NC	10.0 ppb	—
42	28537	Hobucken	NC	10.0 ppb	—
43	28552	Lowland	NC	10.0 ppb	—
44	28556	Merritt	NC	10.0 ppb	—
45	28560	New Bern	NC	10.0 ppb	—
46	28571	Oriental	NC	10.0 ppb	—
47	28673	Sherrills Ford	NC	10.0 ppb	82/100
48	28623	Ennice	NC	9.6 ppb	—
49	28627	Glade Valley	NC	9.6 ppb	—
50	27529	Garner	NC	9.3 ppb	50/100
51	27603	Raleigh	NC	9.3 ppb	50/100
52	28117	Mooresville	NC	8.6 ppb	—
53	27587	Wake Forest	NC	8.5 ppb	50/100
54	28431	Chadbourn	NC	8.4 ppb	—
55	28472	Whiteville	NC	8.4 ppb	—
56	28364	Maxton	NC	8.0 ppb	—
57	28390	Spring Lake	NC	8.0 ppb	—
58	27526	Fuquay Varina	NC	7.5 ppb	—
59	27592	Willow Spring	NC	7.5 ppb	67/100
60	27606	Raleigh	NC	7.4 ppb	50/100
61	27604	Raleigh	NC	7.3 ppb	66/100
62	27513	Cary	NC	7.2 ppb	81/100
63	27607	Raleigh	NC	7.2 ppb	65/100
64	27030	Mount Airy	NC	7.0 ppb	—
65	27860	Pantego	NC	7.0 ppb	—
66	27928	Creswell	NC	7.0 ppb	—
67	27962	Plymouth	NC	7.0 ppb	—
68	27970	Roper	NC	7.0 ppb	—
69	28306	Fayetteville	NC	7.0 ppb	74/100
70	28371	Parkton	NC	7.0 ppb	—
71	28398	Warsaw	NC	7.0 ppb	—
72	28525	Deep Run	NC	7.0 ppb	81/100
73	28572	Pink Hill	NC	7.0 ppb	—
74	28601	Hickory	NC	7.0 ppb	75/100
75	28604	Banner Elk	NC	7.0 ppb	—
76	28613	Conover	NC	7.0 ppb	68/100
77	28625	Statesville	NC	7.0 ppb	—
78	28646	Linville	NC	7.0 ppb	—
79	28657	Newland	NC	7.0 ppb	—
80	27545	Knightdale	NC	6.5 ppb	50/100
81	27019	Germanton	NC	6.2 ppb	—
82	27052	Walnut Cove	NC	6.2 ppb	—
83	27712	Durham	NC	6.0 ppb	81/100
84	28027	Concord	NC	6.0 ppb	—
85	28081	Kannapolis	NC	6.0 ppb	—
86	28120	Mount Holly	NC	6.0 ppb	—
87	28433	Clarkton	NC	6.0 ppb	—
88	28434	Council	NC	6.0 ppb	—
89	28456	Riegelwood	NC	6.0 ppb	—
90	27856	Nashville	NC	5.8 ppb	—
91	27882	Spring Hope	NC	5.8 ppb	—
92	28428	Carolina Beach	NC	5.8 ppb	99/100
93	27539	Apex	NC	5.6 ppb	50/100
94	27249	Gibsonville	NC	5.5 ppb	69/100
95	27597	Zebulon	NC	5.5 ppb	—
96	28901	Andrews	NC	5.5 ppb	—
97	28905	Marble	NC	5.5 ppb	—
98	28906	Murphy	NC	5.5 ppb	—
99	28025	Concord	NC	5.3 ppb	—
100	28124	Mount Pleasant	NC	5.3 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: 2026-08-11.

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.