Blowing Rock ZIP Code List — Watauga County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Blowing Rock, North Carolina and it is 28605. Area code: 828.
1
ZIP codes
32.81
sq mi land
0.21
sq mi water
828
area code
Blowing Rock, NC ZIP code map

About Blowing Rock, NC

Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is a charming town known for its stunning mountain views and vibrant arts scene. Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences. Visitors and residents alike enjoy a plethora of recreational activities, making it a desirable location for outdoor enthusiasts.

Location & geography

Blowing Rock is situated in Watauga County, North Carolina, and covers a total area of 32.81 square miles, with 0.21 square miles of that being water. The town is conveniently located about 6 miles from Boone, 8 miles from Linville, and approximately 17 miles from Banner Elk. Its mountainous terrain and proximity to attractions like the Blue Ridge Parkway make it a stunning destination for nature lovers.

Community & economy

The community in Blowing Rock is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and a strong sense of pride in local arts and culture. The town's economy thrives on tourism, with visitors drawn to its scenic views, annual festivals, and unique shops. Daily life in Blowing Rock integrates the outdoor lifestyle with a rich heritage and community events that celebrate its Appalachian roots.

Transportation

Blowing Rock is easily accessible via U.S. Route 321, which connects the town to surrounding areas and provides a main corridor for travel. The nearest major airport is the Tri-Cities Airport in Tennessee, located about 65 miles away, while smaller regional airports serve the surrounding counties. Local transit options may include shuttle services and taxis for getting around the town and nearby attractions.

History

Blowing Rock was founded in the early 20th century and quickly became a resort destination due to its breathtaking vistas and cooler mountain climate. The town's early economy was centered around tourism, influenced by its natural beauty and the establishment of local inns and cabins. Today, Blowing Rock continues to celebrate its history while embracing its role as a vibrant community for both residents and visitors.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Blowing Rock is that it is home to the famous Blowing Rock formation, which offers a vantage point where winds can blow upwards, allowing objects tossed over the edge to hover momentarily before falling. Additionally, the town hosts the annual Blowing Rock Winterfest, which attracts visitors for winter activities and local culture.

ZIP codes for Blowing Rock, NC (1)
ZIP code City County Map
28605 Blowing Rock Watauga View map

Demographics & statistics

3,330
Population
49.9
Median age
$68,939
Median household income
$55,924
Per capita income
$387,600
Median home value
$1,104
Median monthly rent
68.4%
Home ownership
13.7%
Poverty rate
3.9%
Unemployment
3,785
Housing units
54.1%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
30
Under 5
25
17
5–9
15
54
10–14
46
47
15–19
40
246
20–24
210
232
25–34
198
143
35–44
123
221
45–54
189
188
55–59
160
164
60–64
141
304
65–74
260
106
75–84
90
44
85+
37
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 182387.1%
18 and over3,09292.9%
65 and over84125.3%
Median age49.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89.7%
Hispanic or Latino 2.9%
Other race 2.4%
Two or more races 1.8%
Black or African American 1.5%
Asian 1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%
GroupCount%
White3,07889.7%
Hispanic or Latino1002.9%
Other race832.4%
Two or more races621.8%
Black or African American501.5%
Asian341%
American Indian / Alaska Native230.7%

Household income

Under $10k 6.1%
$10k–$15k 4.5%
$15k–$25k 7.2%
$25k–$35k 5.5%
$35k–$50k 12.6%
$50k–$75k 16.4%
$75k–$100k 9.6%
$100k–$150k 11.6%
$150k–$200k 12.5%
$200k+ 14.2%
Range% of households
Under $10k6.1%
$10k–$15k4.5%
$15k–$25k7.2%
$25k–$35k5.5%
$35k–$50k12.6%
$50k–$75k16.4%
$75k–$100k9.6%
$100k–$150k11.6%
$150k–$200k12.5%
$200k+14.2%
Median income$68,939

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.5%
$50k–$100k 4.8%
$100k–$150k 0.8%
$150k–$200k 9.9%
$200k–$300k 17.6%
$300k–$500k 28.7%
$500k–$1M 31.3%
$1M+ 5.5%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$387,600
Median rent / month$1,104
Owner occupied68.4%
Renter occupied31.6%
Vacant61.4%
Single-family detached70.9%
Large apartment buildings0.2%
Mobile homes3.8%
Median rooms5.9
Avg household size (owned)2.00

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20193.8%
2000–200914.6%
1990–199926.9%
1980–198917.6%
1970–197913.0%
1960–196910.0%
1950–19594.6%
1940–19493.5%
1939 or earlier6.1%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)1.3%
1 bedroom7.2%
2 bedrooms22.2%
3 bedrooms49.0%
4 bedrooms15.3%
5+ bedrooms5.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.5%
1 vehicle33.2%
2 vehicles49.1%
3 or more17.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas1.2%
Electricity48.3%
Propane / LP gas31.7%
Fuel oil11.6%
Wood5.7%
No fuel used1.5%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family81449.0%
Cohabiting couple553.3%
Male householder, no spouse40424.3%
Female householder, no spouse38923.4%
Households with children under 1823214.0%
Households with seniors (65+)54833.0%
Average household size1.98

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married35.0%28.0%
Married53.6%54.8%
Separated1.5%0.0%
Widowed1.3%5.5%
Divorced8.6%11.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.1%
Some HS, no diploma 2.2%
HS graduate 9.0%
Some college, no degree 18.7%
Associate's degree 13.0%
Bachelor's degree 27.8%
Graduate / professional 26.3%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher94.7%
Bachelor's or higher54.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool283.9%
Kindergarten91.3%
Elementary school9413.2%
High school11015.4%
College / grad school47266.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 32.3%
Retail trade 15.2%
Arts, food & hospitality 14.5%
Professional & management 11.7%
Finance & real estate 5.9%
Manufacturing 5.6%
Construction 5.0%
Transportation & utilities 3.1%
Other services 2.0%
Public administration 1.7%
Information 1.6%
Wholesale trade 1.4%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts49.1%
Service12.2%
Sales & office23.7%
Natural resources & construction6.0%
Production & transportation9.1%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector75.8%
Government17.7%
Self-employed6.5%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone85.8%
Carpool4.8%
Public transit0.0%
Walk1.1%
Other means0.9%
Avg commute (minutes)18.2

Poverty

All people 13.7%
Under 18 years 4.6%
18 and over 14.4%
Married-couple families 0.0%
Female-led households 4.9%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security34.5%
Retirement income26.8%
Supplemental Security2.6%
Cash public assistance0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP6.0%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure34.6%
High cholesterol39.6%
Heart disease7.2%
Stroke3.1%
Asthma8.4%
Arthritis27.7%
Kidney disease3.1%
Pulmonary disease6.6%
Cancer8.4%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking14.8%
No physical activity18.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep26.4%
Fair or poor health11.2%
Poor mental health12.3%
Poor physical health9.5%
No health insurance12.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)78.1%
Visited dentist72.0%
Cholesterol screening91.9%
Teeth loss9.9%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans2377.7%
Disability%
Any disability7.5%
Under 182.9%
18–64 years5.5%
65 and over14.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance84.8%
Public insurance29.4%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only3,27598.3%
Spanish742.3%
Other Indo-European511.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages230.7%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)3,14094.3%
Born in same state3,13794.2%
Born in different state1,88856.7%
Foreign born30.1%
Naturalized citizen1905.7%
Not a US citizen9047.4%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French79123.8%
Italian2427.3%
Arab1775.3%
English561.7%
AncestryCount%
Norwegian491.5%
Polish170.5%
Dutch80.2%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access49.9%
Internet access94.8%

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

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for Blowing Rock, NC?
Blowing Rock, NC has one ZIP code: 28605.
What is the main ZIP code for Blowing Rock, NC?
The primary ZIP code for Blowing Rock, NC is 28605. The city uses area code 828 for phone service.
What county is Blowing Rock, NC in?
Blowing Rock is located in Watauga County, North Carolina.
How many ZIP codes are in Blowing Rock, NC?
Blowing Rock, NC has 1 ZIP code.
What ZIP code should I use when mailing something to the Blowing Rock attraction area in downtown Blowing Rock?
All addresses in downtown Blowing Rock, including the famous Blowing Rock visitor attraction, use the ZIP code 28605.
What is the ZIP code for the Blowing Rock area located in Watauga County near the Blue Ridge Parkway?
The entire incorporated town of Blowing Rock is served by ZIP code 28605, which covers this mountain community adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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