Bessemer City ZIP Codes — Gaston County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Bessemer City, North Carolina and it is 28016. Area code: 704/980.

ZIP codes

42.97

sq mi land

0.40

sq mi water

704/980

area code

Bessemer City, NC ZIP code map

About Bessemer City, NC

Bessemer City is a charming city located in North Carolina, specifically within Gaston County. With its rich historical background and engaging community spirit, it serves as a delightful destination for both residents and visitors. The city offers a blend of small-town charm and easy access to regional amenities, making it a favorable place to live and explore.

Location & geography

Bessemer City is ideally situated in the western part of North Carolina, offering a picturesque landscape and convenient access to major highways. It is located approximately 11 miles west of Gastonia and about 30 miles west of Charlotte, providing residents with various city amenities nearby. The total land area of Bessemer City measures 42.97 square miles, with an additional 0.40 square miles covered by water, contributing to the city's scenic variety.

Community & economy

The character of Bessemer City is defined by its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, enriched by a diverse community. The city has a mix of industries, including manufacturing and retail, which support the local economy and provide job opportunities for residents. Daily life in Bessemer City revolves around community events, local parks, and family-friendly activities, emphasizing togetherness and a strong sense of belonging.

Transportation

Bessemer City is conveniently accessible via major highways such as U.S. Route 321, which connects the city to surrounding areas and larger cities. The nearest named airport is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, located approximately 25 miles east of Bessemer City, offering both domestic and international flights. Public transport options may be limited, but local roadways ensure ease of travel for residents.

History

Bessemer City was founded in the late 19th century, initially thriving as a center for textile manufacturing during the industrial boom in the region. The area saw considerable growth due to its railway connections and continues to be a hub for various industries. Notable events in the city's history have shaped its development and community identity over the years.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Bessemer City is that it was once home to the Bessemer City Timbers baseball team, which played in the North Carolina League. Additionally, the city boasts the historic Bessemer City Water Tower, which is a recognized landmark in the area.

ZIP codes for Bessemer City, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28016	Bessemer City	Gaston	View map

Demographics & statistics

13,234

Population

45.4

Median age

$51,341

Median household income

$28,108

Per capita income

$163,300

Median home value

$837

Median monthly rent

64.3%

Home ownership

10.4%

Poverty rate

5.1%

Unemployment

4,080

Housing units

11.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

297

Under 5

279

299

5–9

280

283

10–14

266

481

15–19

452

579

20–24

543

776

25–34

728

663

35–44

622

1,150

45–54

1,079

526

55–59

494

532

60–64

500

814

65–74

763

337

75–84

316

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,148	16.2%
18 and over	11,086	83.8%
65 and over	2,405	18.2%
Median age	45.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 82.6%

Black or African American 6.3%

Two or more races 6.2%

Hispanic or Latino 3.4%

Asian 0.7%

Other race 0.7%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	11,304	82.6%
Black or African American	860	6.3%
Two or more races	849	6.2%
Hispanic or Latino	459	3.4%
Asian	99	0.7%
Other race	95	0.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	27	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 5.1%

$10k–$15k 5.1%

$15k–$25k 9.1%

$25k–$35k 15.5%

$35k–$50k 13.9%

$50k–$75k 18.6%

$75k–$100k 13.4%

$100k–$150k 13.0%

$150k–$200k 3.4%

$200k+ 2.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.1%
$10k–$15k	5.1%
$15k–$25k	9.1%
$25k–$35k	15.5%
$35k–$50k	13.9%
$50k–$75k	18.6%
$75k–$100k	13.4%
$100k–$150k	13.0%
$150k–$200k	3.4%
$200k+	2.8%
Median income	$51,341

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.6%

$50k–$100k 17.6%

$100k–$150k 21.6%

$150k–$200k 17.6%

$200k–$300k 21.6%

$300k–$500k 14.2%

$500k–$1M 1.3%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$163,300
Median rent / month	$837
Owner occupied	64.3%
Renter occupied	35.7%
Vacant	11.5%
Single-family detached	72.0%
Large apartment buildings	1.3%
Mobile homes	17.5%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.58

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	1.2%
2000–2009	10.8%
1990–1999	19.0%
1980–1989	20.2%
1970–1979	20.1%
1960–1969	10.1%
1950–1959	6.5%
1940–1949	4.9%
1939 or earlier	7.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.3%
1 bedroom	6.5%
2 bedrooms	31.4%
3 bedrooms	49.9%
4 bedrooms	9.7%
5+ bedrooms	2.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.3%
1 vehicle	34.6%
2 vehicles	30.5%
3 or more	30.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	22.4%
Electricity	70.5%
Propane / LP gas	4.7%
Fuel oil	1.5%
Wood	0.6%
Solar	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,738	51.9%
Cohabiting couple	241	4.6%
Male householder, no spouse	937	17.8%
Female householder, no spouse	1,360	25.8%
Households with children under 18	1,325	25.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,704	32.3%
Average household size	2.50

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.2%	24.7%
Married	50.6%	48.8%
Separated	2.5%	4.2%
Widowed	4.4%	8.6%
Divorced	9.3%	13.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 7.8%

Some HS, no diploma 12.8%

HS graduate 37.7%

Some college, no degree 18.9%

Associate's degree 11.1%

Bachelor's degree 8.3%

Graduate / professional 3.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	79.4%
Bachelor's or higher	11.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	176	7.5%
Kindergarten	126	5.4%
Elementary school	780	33.1%
High school	772	32.8%
College / grad school	501	21.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 20.2%

Retail trade 18.6%

Education & healthcare 14.5%

Construction 10.2%

Transportation & utilities 7.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.4%

Professional & management 7.2%

Finance & real estate 5.2%

Other services 2.7%

Public administration 2.7%

Wholesale trade 2.6%

Agriculture & mining 0.4%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	23.6%
Service	14.3%
Sales & office	20.2%
Natural resources & construction	10.9%
Production & transportation	31.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	86.7%
Government	9.6%
Self-employed	3.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.0%
Carpool	12.5%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	0.4%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.3

Poverty

All people 10.4%

Under 18 years 11.7%

18 and over 10.1%

Married-couple families 3.9%

Female-led households 17.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.5%
Retirement income	19.3%
Supplemental Security	5.6%
Cash public assistance	0.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.4%
High cholesterol	35.5%
Heart disease	7.1%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	9.6%
Arthritis	26.7%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	8.7%
Cancer	6.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.5%
No physical activity	26.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.2%
Fair or poor health	16.7%
Poor mental health	16.2%
Poor physical health	12.4%
No health insurance	20.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.8%
Visited dentist	56.1%
Cholesterol screening	87.8%
Teeth loss	19.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	689	6.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.6%
Under 18	7.4%
18–64 years	14.4%
65 and over	43.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	62.5%
Public insurance	37.9%
Uninsured under 19	3.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	12,658	95.6%
Spanish	132	1.0%
Other Indo-European	122	1.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	10	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	12,943	97.8%
Born in same state	12,818	96.9%
Born in different state	10,137	76.6%
Foreign born	125	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	291	2.2%
Not a US citizen	174	59.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	3,570	27%
French	1,080	8.2%
Italian	902	6.8%
English	135	1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	39	0.3%
German	7	0.1%
Irish	4	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.9%
Internet access	91.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Bessemer City, NC have?

Bessemer City, NC has one ZIP code: 28016. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.