Yancey, NC

Low Risk (10/100)

Transparent derived index from EPA TRI / SDWIS / Superfund extracts: not an official EPA rating. Fixed caps: facilities ≤25 pts (50+ = max), log10 releases ≤25 pts, Superfund ≤25 pts (5/site), health-violation systems ≤15 pts (3/system), high-chemical facilities ≤10 pts. Bands: High ≥60, Moderate ≥30. See methodology.

Environmental data for Yancey in North Carolina · Population: 18,676

TRI sites such as Altec Industries Inc.; Southern Concrete Materials-Burnsville Plant; SDWIS systems such as BURNSVILLE, TOWN OF anchor Yancey, NC's EPA extract. Derived burden score 10/100 (Low Risk) uses fixed national caps on density, log release volume, Superfund count, and health-flagged systems - not an official EPA rating.

Health-flagged SDWIS rows in Yancey include BURNSVILLE, TOWN OF, while Altec Industries Inc. leads reported TRI pounds among local Form R filers. AQS median AQI 44 / peak 84 in 2024.

Burden score 10/100 (Low Risk) is the only weighted composite on this page. The tables below list every TRI facility, SDWIS system, and Superfund site EPA has on record for Yancey -- not just the names called out above -- reproducing the disclosure history as filed, not a current-safety verdict. Extract current as of 2026-08-25.

County population (Census ACS)
18,676
TRI Facilities
2
Water Systems
1
Superfund Sites
0
Total Releases
103 lbs

Air Quality History (2020–2024)

EPA Air Quality Index (AQI) data showing how many days per year fall into each air quality category.

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy (SG) Max AQI
2024 167 (82%) 37 0 84
2023 179 (75%) 60 1 101
2022 200 (83%) 42 0 93
2021 186 (78%) 54 0 90
2020 204 (84%) 39 1 105
2024 Good Air Quality: 82% of days
Median AQI: 44

Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by County AQI categories: Good (0-50), Moderate (51-100), Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Unhealthy (151-200), Very Unhealthy (201-300), Hazardous (301+)

For real-time air quality readings and pollutant breakdowns in North Carolina, see the EPA's AirNow.gov.

Water Systems (1)

System System pop (SDWIS) Violations
BURNSVILLE, TOWN OF 4,069 2

TRI Facilities (2)

# Facility Total Releases
1 Altec Industries Inc. 103 lbs
2 Southern Concrete Materials-Burnsville Plant 0 lbs

Cities in Yancey (1)

Burnsville
2 facilities · 1 water

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the environmental risk level in Yancey, North Carolina?
Yancey, NC has an environmental risk score of 10/100 (Low Risk), based on 2 TRI facilities, 0 Superfund sites, and 1 water systems on record. 1 water system have health-based violations. Source: EPA TRI, SDWIS, and Superfund NPL.
Are there Superfund sites in Yancey?
No Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) sites are currently registered in Yancey, NC in the EPA database.
How many toxic release facilities are in Yancey?
Yancey, NC has 2 TRI-reporting facilities on record with the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, with a combined total of 103 lbs in reported toxic releases. TRI facilities self-report annual chemical release data to the EPA.
What is the air quality in Yancey?
In 2024, Yancey, NC recorded a median AQI of 44 and a peak AQI of 84. 82% of monitored days had "Good" air quality (AQI 0–50). Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by County.
Is the drinking water safe in Yancey?
Yancey, NC has 1 EPA-regulated water system. 1 system has reported health-based violations (MCL exceedances). A past violation does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe. For current water quality, contact your local water utility. Source: EPA SDWIS.
What environmental agencies cover Yancey?
Environmental compliance in Yancey, North Carolina is overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the federal level and the North Carolina state environmental agency. Facilities report to the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, water systems are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and contaminated sites are managed under the Superfund program. Contact your state environmental agency for local concerns.

What does this county environmental profile show?

This county environmental profile rolls up EPA Toxics Release Inventory facility reports, Safe Drinking Water Information System public-water-system filings, and Superfund National Priorities List sites for the county boundary defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Facility counts reflect facilities with a reporting address inside the county, not where downstream environmental effects may be observed. Population figures are from the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimate. The county detail page is updated whenever the upstream EPA programs publish revised data; see the methodology page for the documented ingest cadence and the editorial choices governing how aggregations are computed.

Related

Data sourced from U.S. EPA environmental datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainEnviro