Atkinson ZIP Codes — Pender County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Atkinson, North Carolina and it is 28421. Area code: 910.

ZIP codes

56.55

sq mi land

0.30

sq mi water

910

area code

Atkinson, NC ZIP code map

About Atkinson, NC

Atkinson, North Carolina, is a small town located in Pender County. Known for its rural charm and tight-knit community, it offers a unique glimpse into the life of eastern North Carolina. The town embodies a peaceful atmosphere, making it an appealing destination for those seeking a slower pace of life.

Location & geography

Situated in the southeastern part of North Carolina, Atkinson encompasses an area of 56.55 square miles of land and 0.30 square miles of water. The town is conveniently located near several larger cities, including Wilmington, which is approximately 30 miles to the southeast, and Wallace, about 12 miles to the north. The terrain features a mix of lush forests and open fields, providing a picturesque landscape for residents and visitors alike.

Community & economy

Atkinson fosters a strong sense of community, where residents often gather for local events and activities. The town's economy historically revolves around agriculture, but various small businesses now contribute to its local industry and daily life. The friendly atmosphere encourages neighborly relationships, making it a welcoming place for newcomers.

Transportation

Atkinson is accessible via several roads, including NC Highway 210, which connects the town to neighboring areas. The nearest major airport is Wilmington International Airport, located roughly 30 miles away, providing regional air traffic access. Public transportation options are limited, so most residents rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Atkinson was established in the late 19th century, primarily as an agricultural hub due to the fertile land in the region. Key industries historically included tobacco farming, which shaped the town's economy and culture. Notable events in Atkinson's history often revolve around the growth of local agricultural fairs that celebrate its farming heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Atkinson is that it has maintained a rural character despite the encroachment of larger cities nearby. Additionally, the small town is often overlooked as a charming stop for those exploring the greater Pender County region.

ZIP codes for Atkinson, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28421	Atkinson	Pender	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,047

Population

48.0

Median age

$58,203

Median household income

$21,618

Per capita income

$110,500

Median home value

$674

Median monthly rent

78.0%

Home ownership

16.1%

Poverty rate

9.2%

Unemployment

776

Housing units

10.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

191

45–54

186

55–59

108

60–64

106

105

65–74

103

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	425	20.8%
18 and over	1,622	79.2%
65 and over	374	18.3%
Median age	48.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 45.6%

Hispanic or Latino 17.9%

Black or African American 16.1%

Other race 11.4%

Two or more races 8.9%

Group	Count	%
White	1,138	45.6%
Hispanic or Latino	446	17.9%
Black or African American	401	16.1%
Other race	285	11.4%
Two or more races	223	8.9%

Household income

Under $10k 7.3%

$10k–$15k 1.6%

$15k–$25k 14.1%

$25k–$35k 13.0%

$35k–$50k 7.0%

$50k–$75k 13.3%

$75k–$100k 20.3%

$100k–$150k 15.4%

$150k–$200k 7.4%

$200k+ 0.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.3%
$10k–$15k	1.6%
$15k–$25k	14.1%
$25k–$35k	13.0%
$35k–$50k	7.0%
$50k–$75k	13.3%
$75k–$100k	20.3%
$100k–$150k	15.4%
$150k–$200k	7.4%
$200k+	0.6%
Median income	$58,203

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.5%

$50k–$100k 35.6%

$100k–$150k 33.3%

$150k–$200k 3.3%

$200k–$300k 10.0%

$300k–$500k 9.8%

$500k–$1M 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$110,500
Median rent / month	$674
Owner occupied	78.0%
Renter occupied	22.0%
Vacant	31.0%
Single-family detached	56.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.8%
Mobile homes	42.8%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	3.12

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	12.5%
2000–2009	15.8%
1990–1999	15.4%
1980–1989	4.9%
1970–1979	15.0%
1960–1969	6.7%
1950–1959	12.0%
1940–1949	0.4%
1939 or earlier	17.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.4%
1 bedroom	0.0%
2 bedrooms	30.1%
3 bedrooms	56.8%
4 bedrooms	8.7%
5+ bedrooms	3.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.8%
1 vehicle	22.7%
2 vehicles	33.9%
3 or more	42.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.1%
Electricity	80.0%
Propane / LP gas	14.4%
Fuel oil	0.6%
Wood	2.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	276	43.7%
Cohabiting couple	57	9.0%
Male householder, no spouse	113	17.9%
Female householder, no spouse	185	29.3%
Households with children under 18	171	27.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	247	39.1%
Average household size	3.24

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.5%	24.7%
Married	48.7%	44.5%
Separated	0.0%	1.0%
Widowed	4.6%	19.3%
Divorced	18.3%	10.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 7.8%

Some HS, no diploma 12.0%

HS graduate 47.1%

Some college, no degree 14.2%

Associate's degree 8.7%

Bachelor's degree 7.0%

Graduate / professional 3.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	80.2%
Bachelor's or higher	10.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	24	7.3%
Kindergarten	15	4.5%
Elementary school	195	59.1%
High school	46	13.9%
College / grad school	50	15.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.6%

Transportation & utilities 15.4%

Manufacturing 12.4%

Agriculture & mining 11.2%

Construction 9.7%

Retail trade 9.2%

Public administration 6.7%

Professional & management 5.2%

Other services 3.6%

Information 1.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 1.9%

Wholesale trade 1.2%

Finance & real estate 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.1%
Service	11.2%
Sales & office	11.9%
Natural resources & construction	14.3%
Production & transportation	29.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.9%
Government	19.8%
Self-employed	7.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	88.4%
Carpool	8.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.0

Poverty

All people 16.1%

Under 18 years 19.3%

18 and over 15.2%

Married-couple families 3.3%

Female-led households 2.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.5%
Retirement income	25.8%
Supplemental Security	12.2%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	33.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	42.1%
High cholesterol	38.6%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	4.6%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	30.5%
Kidney disease	4.0%
Pulmonary disease	9.1%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.5%
No physical activity	28.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.5%
Fair or poor health	19.4%
Poor mental health	14.8%
Poor physical health	13.7%
No health insurance	21.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.6%
Visited dentist	56.2%
Cholesterol screening	90.7%
Teeth loss	20.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	104	6.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.5%
Under 18	6.8%
18–64 years	14.3%
65 and over	62.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	57.4%
Public insurance	37.2%
Uninsured under 19	34.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,892	92.4%
Spanish	119	6.3%
Other Indo-European	115	6.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,954	95.5%
Born in same state	1,954	95.5%
Born in different state	1,283	62.7%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	93	4.5%
Not a US citizen	2	2.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	290	14.2%
French	194	9.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	112	5.5%
German	4	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	30.8%
Internet access	94.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Atkinson, NC have?

Atkinson, NC has one ZIP code: 28421. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.