Atlantic Beach ZIP Codes — Carteret County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina and it is 28512. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

6.11

sq mi land

17.63

sq mi water

252

area code

Atlantic Beach, NC ZIP code map

About Atlantic Beach, NC

Atlantic Beach is a charming coastal town located in Carteret County, North Carolina. Known for its pristine beaches and vibrant community, this town attracts visitors year-round. With a rich history and a welcoming atmosphere, Atlantic Beach is a wonderful place for both residents and tourists alike.

Location & geography

Atlantic Beach is situated on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, just a short drive from the bustling city of Morehead City, which lies approximately 5 miles to the west. The town covers a total land area of 6.11 square miles, complemented by a significant water area of 17.63 square miles. The terrain is characterized by beautiful sandy beaches and coastal waterways, making it a picturesque destination.

Community & economy

The character of Atlantic Beach is laid-back and family-friendly, with a strong emphasis on community events and outdoor activities. Tourism plays a vital role in the local economy, providing opportunities in hospitality, dining, and retail. Daily life is often centered around beach activities, local parks, and annual festivals that bring residents together.

Transportation

Atlantic Beach is accessible via NC Highway 58, which connects it to other coastal towns and the mainland. The nearest major airport is Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in New Bern, located approximately 30 miles away. Local transit options are limited, but the scenic drives and coastal views make travel enjoyable.

History

Atlantic Beach was founded in the early 20th century and has grown into a popular seaside destination over the decades. Key industries historically included fishing and tourism, which have shaped its development. Notable events include the establishment of the Atlantic Beach Pavilion in the 1930s, which became a central hub for entertainment and social gatherings.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Atlantic Beach is that it is one of the few remaining beach towns on the Crystal Coast that maintains a small-town vibe despite its popularity. The town is also home to the historic Fort Macon State Park, which features a well-preserved Civil War fort that was pivotal during the conflict.

ZIP codes for Atlantic Beach, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28512	Atlantic Beach	Carteret	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,414

Population

61.5

Median age

$72,500

Median household income

$55,297

Per capita income

$473,800

Median home value

$980

Median monthly rent

80.4%

Home ownership

10.2%

Poverty rate

3.2%

Unemployment

8,650

Housing units

54.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

100

25–34

108

35–44

104

176

45–54

169

152

55–59

146

194

60–64

188

421

65–74

406

209

75–84

201

122

85+

117

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	388	11.4%
18 and over	3,026	88.6%
65 and over	1,476	43.2%
Median age	61.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.7%

Two or more races 3.5%

Hispanic or Latino 0.7%

Black or African American 0.6%

Asian 0.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	3,255	94.7%
Two or more races	121	3.5%
Hispanic or Latino	23	0.7%
Black or African American	22	0.6%
Asian	8	0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	7	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 3.7%

$10k–$15k 3.1%

$15k–$25k 6.3%

$25k–$35k 15.7%

$35k–$50k 10.3%

$50k–$75k 12.0%

$75k–$100k 10.4%

$100k–$150k 17.6%

$150k–$200k 9.6%

$200k+ 11.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.7%
$10k–$15k	3.1%
$15k–$25k	6.3%
$25k–$35k	15.7%
$35k–$50k	10.3%
$50k–$75k	12.0%
$75k–$100k	10.4%
$100k–$150k	17.6%
$150k–$200k	9.6%
$200k+	11.2%
Median income	$72,500

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.2%

$50k–$100k 1.4%

$100k–$150k 3.7%

$150k–$200k 1.1%

$200k–$300k 9.1%

$300k–$500k 38.6%

$500k–$1M 35.8%

$1M+ 8.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$473,800
Median rent / month	$980
Owner occupied	80.4%
Renter occupied	19.6%
Vacant	80.7%
Single-family detached	33.6%
Large apartment buildings	22.0%
Mobile homes	19.2%
Median rooms	4.5
Avg household size (owned)	1.95

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	4.4%
2000–2009	12.0%
1990–1999	12.7%
1980–1989	34.3%
1970–1979	23.5%
1960–1969	7.0%
1950–1959	4.6%
1940–1949	0.9%
1939 or earlier	0.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.1%
1 bedroom	4.7%
2 bedrooms	41.4%
3 bedrooms	36.4%
4 bedrooms	11.6%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.0%
1 vehicle	40.6%
2 vehicles	41.8%
3 or more	15.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.8%
Electricity	90.3%
Propane / LP gas	4.7%
Fuel oil	1.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	963	55.5%
Cohabiting couple	79	4.6%
Male householder, no spouse	286	16.5%
Female householder, no spouse	406	23.4%
Households with children under 18	183	10.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	977	56.3%
Average household size	1.92

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	19.1%	9.7%
Married	67.2%	63.6%
Separated	2.6%	2.7%
Widowed	3.5%	9.5%
Divorced	7.7%	14.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.7%

Some HS, no diploma 0.4%

HS graduate 15.3%

Some college, no degree 15.5%

Associate's degree 14.0%

Bachelor's degree 33.8%

Graduate / professional 20.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	98.9%
Bachelor's or higher	54.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	24	5.9%
Kindergarten	38	9.4%
Elementary school	190	46.9%
High school	53	13.1%
College / grad school	100	24.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.4%

Professional & management 14.5%

Finance & real estate 11.2%

Retail trade 10.5%

Construction 10.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.8%

Public administration 7.8%

Other services 5.2%

Wholesale trade 4.6%

Manufacturing 4.0%

Agriculture & mining 2.2%

Transportation & utilities 2.1%

Information 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	51.2%
Service	12.9%
Sales & office	22.2%
Natural resources & construction	8.3%
Production & transportation	5.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	69.7%
Government	14.5%
Self-employed	15.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	74.0%
Carpool	3.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	5.4%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.2

Poverty

All people 10.2%

Under 18 years 28.2%

18 and over 7.9%

Married-couple families 2.6%

Female-led households 35.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	56.1%
Retirement income	46.3%
Supplemental Security	1.7%
Cash public assistance	0.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.4%
High cholesterol	41.0%
Heart disease	8.3%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	8.0%
Arthritis	30.8%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	6.7%
Cancer	9.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.9%
No physical activity	17.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.0%
Fair or poor health	10.7%
Poor mental health	11.0%
Poor physical health	9.3%
No health insurance	11.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	81.5%
Visited dentist	74.5%
Cholesterol screening	93.8%
Teeth loss	8.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	482	16.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.5%
Under 18	2.6%
18–64 years	11.6%
65 and over	29.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	80.5%
Public insurance	53.7%
Uninsured under 19	2.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,346	98.0%
Spanish	40	1.2%
Other Indo-European	35	1.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	2	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,353	98.2%
Born in same state	3,341	97.9%
Born in different state	1,735	50.8%
Foreign born	12	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	61	1.8%
Not a US citizen	58	95.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	951	27.9%
Italian	496	14.5%
Arab	226	6.6%
English	44	1.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	20	0.6%
German	14	0.4%
Polish	10	0.3%
Norwegian	7	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	50.8%
Internet access	95.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Atlantic Beach, NC have?

Atlantic Beach, NC has one ZIP code: 28512. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.