State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM354
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM58
Hard · 121–180 PPM45
Very hard · 181+ PPM62
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 indexed hardness
41PPM
Soft
Indexed range 4.7–267.5 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 354 of 519 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 41 PPM, but the full indexed range is 4.7–267.5 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 100%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 43%
301
Low-confidence hardness profiles
273
Nearest site more than 25 miles away
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 764
- Surface water
- 344
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 2
Highest medians
Hardest indexed cities
- 1. Hays268 PPM
- 2. Buxton253 PPM
- 3. Bakersville247 PPM
- 4. Elk Park247 PPM
- 5. Marshall247 PPM
Lowest medians
Softest indexed cities
- 1. Waynesville5 PPM
- 2. Mint Hill5 PPM
- 3. Maggie Valley5 PPM
- 4. Lake Junaluska5 PPM
- 5. Cullowhee5 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
47PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Ahoskie
Hertford County · 1 ZIP
87PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Alamance
Alamance County · 1 ZIP
47PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Albemarle
Stanly County · 1 ZIP
39PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Alexis
Gaston County · 1 ZIP
32PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Andrews
Cherokee County · 1 ZIP
13PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Angier
Harnett County · 1 ZIP
40PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Ansonville
Anson County · 1 ZIP
38PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Apex
Wake County · 4 ZIPs
41PPM
Range 39.8–40.5No active flag
Archdale
Randolph County · 1 ZIP
43PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Asheboro
Randolph County · 2 ZIPs
41PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Asheville
Buncombe County · 5 ZIPs
5PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Atkinson
Pender County · 1 ZIP
183PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Aulander
Bertie County · 1 ZIP
87PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Aurora
Beaufort County · 1 ZIP
179PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Autryville
Sampson County · 1 ZIP
132PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Ayden
Pitt County · 1 ZIP
34PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Badin
Stanly County · 1 ZIP
40PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bailey
Nash County · 1 ZIP
54PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bakersville
Mitchell County · 1 ZIP
247PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bayboro
Pamlico County · 1 ZIP
183PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Beaufort
Carteret County · 1 ZIP
191PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Beech Mountain
Watauga County · 1 ZIP
177PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Belhaven
Hyde County · 1 ZIP
99PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest indexed county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | 228 PPM | 172–247 | 3 |
| Mitchell County | 210 PPM | 172–247 | 2 |
| Dare County | 208 PPM | 176–253 | 4 |
| Carteret County | 197 PPM | 188–209 | 5 |
| Craven County | 195 PPM | 180.5–209 | 6 |
| Stokes County | 189 PPM | 29.6–188.5 | 5 |
| Columbus County | 185 PPM | 183.5–186 | 8 |
| Ashe County | 184 PPM | 139–183.5 | 3 |
| Alleghany County | 184 PPM | 183.5–183.5 | 1 |
| Clay County | 184 PPM | 183.5–183.5 | 1 |
| Yadkin County | 183 PPM | 133.6–183 | 3 |
| Pender County | 183 PPM | 182–183 | 2 |