Beaufort ZIP Codes — Carteret County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Beaufort, North Carolina and it is 28516. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

125.70

sq mi land

41.72

sq mi water

252

area code

Beaufort, NC ZIP code map

About Beaufort, NC

Beaufort, North Carolina is a charming coastal town known for its rich maritime history and vibrant community. Nestled in Carteret County, this picturesque destination offers stunning waterfront views and a laid-back atmosphere. Beaufort is not only a hub for tourists seeking coastal adventures, but it also retains a strong sense of local heritage and culture.

Location & geography

Beaufort is located along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina and is surrounded by the scenic waters of the Pamlico Sound. It is approximately 30 miles from New Bern to the northwest and about 40 miles from Morehead City to the east. The town covers a total area of 125.70 square miles, including 41.72 square miles of water, providing ample opportunities for water-based activities.

Community & economy

The town of Beaufort exhibits a friendly and welcoming character, with its historic buildings and local shops adding charm to everyday life. The local economy thrives on tourism, fishing, and maritime industries, making it a vibrant community year-round. Residents and visitors alike enjoy a leisurely lifestyle, with numerous events celebrating the town's culture and history throughout the year.

Transportation

Beaufort is easily accessible via U.S. Highway 70, which connects the area to other cities along the coast. The nearest airport is Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, located approximately 30 miles to the northwest in New Bern. Public transportation options are limited, making private transport the most common means of getting around.

History

Beaufort was founded in the late 17th century, originally serving as a port and fishing village. The town has played a significant role in North Carolina's maritime industry, particularly during the age of sail and trade. Notable events in Beaufort's history include its involvement in the Civil War and the subsequent growth of its tourism industry after the region was recognized for its natural beauty.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Beaufort is that it is the birthplace of the famous pirate Blackbeard, whose real name was Edward Teach. Additionally, the town boasts one of the largest historic districts in North Carolina, filled with preserved buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

ZIP codes for Beaufort, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28516	Beaufort	Carteret	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,610

Population

55.9

Median age

$52,556

Median household income

$34,413

Per capita income

$258,800

Median home value

$845

Median monthly rent

65.7%

Home ownership

10.8%

Poverty rate

3.6%

Unemployment

5,133

Housing units

23.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

119

Under 5

134

128

5–9

145

237

10–14

267

248

15–19

281

329

20–24

372

435

25–34

491

428

35–44

483

517

45–54

585

415

55–59

468

487

60–64

550

1,085

65–74

1,227

419

75–84

474

134

85+

152

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,401	13.2%
18 and over	9,209	86.8%
65 and over	3,491	32.9%
Median age	55.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 78.1%

Black or African American 13.1%

Two or more races 5.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.3%

Hispanic or Latino 1.3%

Other race 0.8%

Asian 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	8,392	78.1%
Black or African American	1,404	13.1%
Two or more races	569	5.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	145	1.3%
Hispanic or Latino	142	1.3%
Other race	82	0.8%
Asian	18	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 5.4%

$10k–$15k 6.6%

$15k–$25k 14.0%

$25k–$35k 8.3%

$35k–$50k 13.3%

$50k–$75k 20.5%

$75k–$100k 12.0%

$100k–$150k 10.9%

$150k–$200k 6.0%

$200k+ 3.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.4%
$10k–$15k	6.6%
$15k–$25k	14.0%
$25k–$35k	8.3%
$35k–$50k	13.3%
$50k–$75k	20.5%
$75k–$100k	12.0%
$100k–$150k	10.9%
$150k–$200k	6.0%
$200k+	3.1%
Median income	$52,556

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.8%

$50k–$100k 6.7%

$100k–$150k 8.7%

$150k–$200k 16.5%

$200k–$300k 23.5%

$300k–$500k 22.5%

$500k–$1M 14.7%

$1M+ 2.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$258,800
Median rent / month	$845
Owner occupied	65.7%
Renter occupied	34.3%
Vacant	25.2%
Single-family detached	69.4%
Large apartment buildings	3.5%
Mobile homes	10.5%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.07

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	7.9%
2000–2009	19.0%
1990–1999	14.9%
1980–1989	15.2%
1970–1979	8.9%
1960–1969	10.2%
1950–1959	5.8%
1940–1949	5.6%
1939 or earlier	12.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.9%
1 bedroom	6.8%
2 bedrooms	27.8%
3 bedrooms	48.7%
4 bedrooms	13.4%
5+ bedrooms	2.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.5%
1 vehicle	37.6%
2 vehicles	38.6%
3 or more	19.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.7%
Electricity	85.1%
Propane / LP gas	11.3%
Fuel oil	1.0%
Wood	0.7%
No fuel used	0.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,201	42.6%
Cohabiting couple	255	4.9%
Male householder, no spouse	938	18.2%
Female householder, no spouse	1,772	34.3%
Households with children under 18	861	16.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,504	48.5%
Average household size	2.00

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.7%	21.8%
Married	53.8%	42.3%
Separated	1.3%	4.3%
Widowed	4.2%	15.1%
Divorced	11.0%	16.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.7%

Some HS, no diploma 9.1%

HS graduate 24.5%

Some college, no degree 27.8%

Associate's degree 10.9%

Bachelor's degree 14.6%

Graduate / professional 9.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	87.1%
Bachelor's or higher	23.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	81	4.8%
Kindergarten	53	3.1%
Elementary school	688	40.7%
High school	430	25.4%
College / grad school	439	26.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 20.7%

Retail trade 10.3%

Public administration 7.4%

Transportation & utilities 7.3%

Professional & management 6.5%

Construction 6.4%

Manufacturing 5.0%

Finance & real estate 3.9%

Other services 3.6%

Agriculture & mining 2.4%

Information 1.3%

Wholesale trade 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.1%
Service	26.1%
Sales & office	19.0%
Natural resources & construction	11.3%
Production & transportation	11.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.6%
Government	18.4%
Self-employed	8.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	82.9%
Carpool	3.8%
Public transit	0.5%
Walk	0.8%
Other means	4.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.7

Poverty

All people 10.8%

Under 18 years 11.5%

18 and over 10.7%

Married-couple families 7.7%

Female-led households 11.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	54.1%
Retirement income	28.0%
Supplemental Security	4.5%
Cash public assistance	0.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.7%
High cholesterol	37.3%
Heart disease	8.0%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.4%
Arthritis	30.0%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	8.2%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.8%
No physical activity	23.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.9%
Fair or poor health	15.0%
Poor mental health	14.0%
Poor physical health	11.6%
No health insurance	16.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.8%
Visited dentist	64.9%
Cholesterol screening	91.1%
Teeth loss	14.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	886	9.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.5%
Under 18	9.3%
18–64 years	13.4%
65 and over	27.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.7%
Public insurance	47.8%
Uninsured under 19	7.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	10,357	97.6%
Spanish	49	0.5%
Other Indo-European	23	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	17	0.2%
Other languages	9	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	10,401	98.0%
Born in same state	10,198	96.1%
Born in different state	6,764	63.8%
Foreign born	203	1.9%
Naturalized citizen	209	2.0%
Not a US citizen	146	69.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	2,116	19.9%
Arab	1,479	13.9%
Italian	1,194	11.3%
English	95	0.9%
Polish	49	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	48	0.5%
Norwegian	32	0.3%
Dutch	31	0.3%
German	14	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	48.7%
Internet access	94.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Beaufort, NC have?

Beaufort, NC has one ZIP code: 28516. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.