Boone ZIP Codes — Watauga County, NC

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Boone, North Carolina. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

101.72

sq mi land

0.30

sq mi water

828

area code

Boone, NC ZIP code map

About Boone, NC

Boone, North Carolina, is a charming town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. Known for its vibrant community and outdoor recreational opportunities, Boone attracts visitors year-round. With a blend of rich history and modern amenities, it serves as a cultural hub for Watauga County.

Location & geography

Located in Watauga County, Boone is surrounded by stunning mountainous terrain, making it a picturesque destination for nature lovers. The town lies approximately 19 miles northwest of Wilkesboro, 12 miles south of Blowing Rock, and 34 miles east of Johnson City, Tennessee. Covering a land area of 101.72 square miles, Boone also has a water area of 0.30 square miles.

Community & economy

Boone's character is deeply influenced by its university community, home to Appalachian State University, which adds a youthful energy to the town. The local economy thrives on tourism, outdoor recreation, and small businesses, providing residents with a unique lifestyle that balances work and play. Daily life in Boone often includes outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, with the Blue Ridge Parkway offering stunning views and adventure just a short drive away.

Transportation

Boone is accessible via U.S. Route 421 and North Carolina Highway 105, which connect the town to nearby cities and attractions. The nearest major airport is Tri-Cities Airport, located about 45 miles away in Tennessee, providing regional and some national flight options.

History

Founded in the late 18th century, Boone has a rich history tied to the early settlers of the region, including famous figures like Daniel Boone himself. The town developed as a center for trade and agriculture, and over the years, it transitioned into a hub for tourism and education with the establishment of Appalachian State University. Notable events in its history include the growth of the arts and crafts movement, which has significantly influenced local culture.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Boone is that it hosts the annual Boone Christmas in the Park festival, which features a tree lighting ceremony, local crafts, and festive activities. Additionally, Boone is renowned for its proximity to some of North Carolina’s most exceptional natural attractions, including Grandfather Mountain and the Tweetsie Railroad theme park.

ZIP codes for Boone, NC (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28607	Boone	Watauga	View map
28608	Boone	Watauga	View map

Demographics & statistics

35,423

Population

23.7

Median age

$45,476

Median household income

$26,725

Per capita income

$296,800

Median home value

$1,071

Median monthly rent

49.9%

Home ownership

34.7%

Poverty rate

12.3%

Unemployment

10,359

Housing units

49.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

427

Under 5

454

378

5–9

403

545

10–14

579

3,269

15–19

3,477

4,480

20–24

4,766

1,873

25–34

1,992

1,252

35–44

1,331

1,090

45–54

1,159

770

55–59

820

850

60–64

905

1,341

65–74

1,426

642

75–84

683

248

85+

263

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,456	9.8%
18 and over	31,967	90.2%
65 and over	4,603	13.0%
Median age	23.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89.5%

Two or more races 3.7%

Hispanic or Latino 2.5%

Black or African American 2.2%

Asian 1.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Other race 0.3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	32,513	89.5%
Two or more races	1,329	3.7%
Hispanic or Latino	903	2.5%
Black or African American	790	2.2%
Asian	551	1.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	119	0.3%
Other race	102	0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	19	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 14.1%

$10k–$15k 7.8%

$15k–$25k 10.8%

$25k–$35k 9.3%

$35k–$50k 11.7%

$50k–$75k 13.0%

$75k–$100k 10.6%

$100k–$150k 12.0%

$150k–$200k 5.1%

$200k+ 5.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	14.1%
$10k–$15k	7.8%
$15k–$25k	10.8%
$25k–$35k	9.3%
$35k–$50k	11.7%
$50k–$75k	13.0%
$75k–$100k	10.6%
$100k–$150k	12.0%
$150k–$200k	5.1%
$200k+	5.6%
Median income	$45,476

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.3%

$50k–$100k 3.5%

$100k–$150k 2.9%

$150k–$200k 7.0%

$200k–$300k 33.3%

$300k–$500k 27.4%

$500k–$1M 18.3%

$1M+ 3.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$296,800
Median rent / month	$1,071
Owner occupied	49.9%
Renter occupied	50.1%
Vacant	24.4%
Single-family detached	53.6%
Large apartment buildings	10.7%
Mobile homes	6.6%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.31

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	9.5%
2000–2009	17.4%
1990–1999	19.0%
1980–1989	17.6%
1970–1979	16.3%
1960–1969	10.3%
1950–1959	5.5%
1940–1949	2.3%
1939 or earlier	2.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.8%
1 bedroom	9.8%
2 bedrooms	35.3%
3 bedrooms	33.6%
4 bedrooms	13.4%
5+ bedrooms	4.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.1%
1 vehicle	32.8%
2 vehicles	37.9%
3 or more	26.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	4.9%
Electricity	62.0%
Propane / LP gas	15.8%
Fuel oil	13.6%
Wood	3.5%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,601	36.5%
Cohabiting couple	826	6.6%
Male householder, no spouse	3,127	24.8%
Female householder, no spouse	4,039	32.1%
Households with children under 18	2,034	16.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,243	25.8%
Average household size	2.36

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	60.5%	58.7%
Married	32.5%	27.3%
Separated	1.1%	1.0%
Widowed	2.0%	5.4%
Divorced	3.9%	7.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.7%

Some HS, no diploma 5.3%

HS graduate 18.3%

Some college, no degree 16.9%

Associate's degree 6.8%

Bachelor's degree 26.0%

Graduate / professional 23.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.9%
Bachelor's or higher	49.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	268	1.5%
Kindergarten	99	0.6%
Elementary school	1,432	8.1%
High school	995	5.6%
College / grad school	14,977	84.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 20.0%

Retail trade 16.1%

Other services 6.4%

Professional & management 6.3%

Construction 6.0%

Finance & real estate 5.5%

Manufacturing 3.3%

Public administration 2.0%

Transportation & utilities 1.9%

Wholesale trade 1.8%

Information 1.6%

Agriculture & mining 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	39.6%
Service	24.1%
Sales & office	22.6%
Natural resources & construction	6.9%
Production & transportation	6.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.1%
Government	20.3%
Self-employed	6.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	71.0%
Carpool	9.8%
Public transit	2.6%
Walk	7.1%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.6

Poverty

All people 34.7%

Under 18 years 8.6%

18 and over 38.1%

Married-couple families 5.7%

Female-led households 24.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	26.7%
Retirement income	18.3%
Supplemental Security	2.0%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	23.7%
High cholesterol	26.0%
Heart disease	4.6%
Stroke	2.2%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	17.2%
Kidney disease	2.3%
Pulmonary disease	5.6%
Cancer	4.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.3%
No physical activity	19.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.3%
Fair or poor health	11.8%
Poor mental health	18.3%
Poor physical health	9.1%
No health insurance	16.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.6%
Visited dentist	62.8%
Cholesterol screening	79.8%
Teeth loss	14.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,167	3.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.5%
Under 18	4.9%
18–64 years	8.3%
65 and over	28.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	79.9%
Public insurance	22.1%
Uninsured under 19	6.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	34,542	97.5%
Spanish	487	1.4%
Other Indo-European	272	0.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	125	0.4%
Other languages	90	0.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	34,292	96.8%
Born in same state	34,050	96.1%
Born in different state	22,035	62.2%
Foreign born	242	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	1,131	3.2%
Not a US citizen	475	42.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	5,924	16.7%
Arab	5,095	14.4%
Italian	4,576	12.9%
Polish	267	0.8%
German	201	0.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	195	0.6%
English	170	0.5%
Dutch	73	0.2%
Norwegian	53	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.6%
Internet access	95.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Boone, NC have?

Boone, NC has two ZIP codes: 28607 and 28608. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.