State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM159
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM37
Hard · 121–180 PPM15
Very hard · 181+ PPM36
State water index
North Carolina water hardness
Search 381 indexed communities and 519 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median regional evidence
45PPM
Soft
Indexed range 3.1–269 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 519
- Cities
- 381
- Matched utilities
- 1,110
- Counties
- 98
Understanding North Carolina
Why local comparisons matter here
North Carolina crosses the Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Atlantic Coastal Plain, with mountain watersheds, reservoirs, rivers, and coastal aquifers.
In this index, soft is the largest category, covering 159 of 247 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 45 PPM, but the full indexed range is 3.1–269 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 48%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 39%
63
Low-confidence hardness profiles
109
Research-comparison eligible profiles
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 764
- Surface water
- 344
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 2
Highest medians
Highest eligible city medians
- 1. Jacksonville188 PPM
- 2. Raleigh47 PPM
- 3. Cary43 PPM
- 4. Apex42 PPM
- 5. Durham41 PPM
Lowest medians
Lowest eligible city medians
- 1. Goldsboro23 PPM
- 2. Durham41 PPM
- 3. Apex42 PPM
- 4. Cary43 PPM
- 5. Raleigh47 PPM
City directory
Explore North Carolina by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
381 cities · 519 ZIP profiles
381 cities found
Page 1 of 16
Aberdeen
Moore County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Ahoskie
Hertford County · 1 ZIP
5PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Alamance
Alamance County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Albemarle
Stanly County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Alexis
Gaston County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Andrews
Cherokee County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Angier
Harnett County · 1 ZIP
30PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Ansonville
Anson County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Apex
Wake County · 4 ZIPs
42PPM regional
Regional range 39.8–46.6No active flag
Archdale
Randolph County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Asheboro
Randolph County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Asheville
Buncombe County · 5 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Atkinson
Pender County · 1 ZIP
210PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Aulander
Bertie County · 1 ZIP
68PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Aurora
Beaufort County · 1 ZIP
232PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Autryville
Sampson County · 1 ZIP
47PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Ayden
Pitt County · 1 ZIP
32PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Badin
Stanly County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bailey
Nash County · 1 ZIP
87PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bakersville
Mitchell County · 1 ZIP
84PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bayboro
Pamlico County · 1 ZIP
245PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Beaufort
Carteret County · 1 ZIP
269PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Beech Mountain
Watauga County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Belhaven
Hyde County · 1 ZIP
232PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest regional-evidence county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carteret County | 256 PPM | 243–269 | 5 |
| Pamlico County | 251 PPM | 245–256 | 2 |
| Hyde County | 232 PPM | 232–232 | 2 |
| Beaufort County | 222 PPM | 211–232 | 2 |
| Washington County | 209 PPM | 198–209 | 3 |
| Pender County | 207 PPM | 203.5–210 | 2 |
| Craven County | 206 PPM | 84.7–231.5 | 6 |
| Tyrrell County | 199 PPM | 198.9–198.9 | 1 |
| Onslow County | 189 PPM | 183.5–194.5 | 8 |
| Jones County | 187 PPM | 176–198 | 2 |
| Brunswick County | 169 PPM | 98.5–169 | 6 |
| Duplin County | 164 PPM | 47–201 | 8 |