Canton ZIP Codes — Haywood County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Canton, North Carolina and it is 28716. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

158.67

sq mi land

0.16

sq mi water

828

area code

Canton, NC ZIP code map

About Canton, NC

Canton, North Carolina, is a charming town nestled in Haywood County, known for its beautiful mountainous surroundings and rich history. The town offers a perfect blend of outdoor recreation and small-town charm, making it an inviting place for residents and visitors alike. With its picturesque landscapes and vibrant community spirit, Canton serves as a gateway to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.

Location & geography

Canton is located in the western part of North Carolina, approximately 20 miles southwest of Asheville and close to the Pigeon River. The town covers a land area of 158.67 square miles, with a small water area of 0.16 square miles, contributing to its scenic beauty. Its rolling hills and lush landscapes are ideal for outdoor activities and enjoying nature.

Community & economy

The character of Canton is marked by a close-knit community that values both tradition and progress, with various local events celebrating its heritage. The local economy is supported by industries such as manufacturing, tourism, and outdoor recreation, with many residents enjoying the natural beauty surrounding them. Daily life in Canton often involves outdoor activities, gatherings at local parks, and participation in community events throughout the year.

Transportation

Canton is conveniently accessed via Interstate 40, which connects it to larger cities in the region. The nearest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, located about 30 miles away, making travel accessible for residents and visitors. Local transit options mainly include personal vehicles, as the town's public transportation infrastructure is limited.

History

Canton was founded in the late 1800s, primarily as a center for the lumber and textile industries, which played a crucial role in its development. Over the years, the town has evolved, but it retains much of its historical charm while adapting to modern economic changes. Notable events in the town's history include its incorporation in 1905 and its role as a hub for industries in Haywood County.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Canton is that it hosts the annual Canton Labor Day Festival, which has been a cherished tradition for over 50 years. This event celebrates the town's history and community spirit, attracting visitors from all around the region.

ZIP codes for Canton, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28716	Canton	Haywood	View map

Demographics & statistics

17,007

Population

43.1

Median age

$55,261

Median household income

$32,418

Per capita income

$202,700

Median home value

$890

Median monthly rent

73.6%

Home ownership

14.4%

Poverty rate

4.7%

Unemployment

6,960

Housing units

21.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

601

Under 5

602

448

5–9

448

386

10–14

387

285

15–19

285

387

20–24

388

1,344

25–34

1,346

904

35–44

905

973

45–54

973

540

55–59

541

669

60–64

669

1,070

65–74

1,071

604

75–84

604

288

85+

289

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,179	18.7%
18 and over	13,828	81.3%
65 and over	3,926	23.1%
Median age	43.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89.8%

Two or more races 5.4%

Hispanic or Latino 2.1%

Black or African American 0.9%

Other race 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Asian 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	15,588	89.8%
Two or more races	937	5.4%
Hispanic or Latino	358	2.1%
Black or African American	162	0.9%
Other race	142	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	128	0.7%
Asian	50	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 6.1%

$10k–$15k 7.4%

$15k–$25k 8.7%

$25k–$35k 13.1%

$35k–$50k 11.5%

$50k–$75k 17.6%

$75k–$100k 10.1%

$100k–$150k 17.8%

$150k–$200k 3.2%

$200k+ 4.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.1%
$10k–$15k	7.4%
$15k–$25k	8.7%
$25k–$35k	13.1%
$35k–$50k	11.5%
$50k–$75k	17.6%
$75k–$100k	10.1%
$100k–$150k	17.8%
$150k–$200k	3.2%
$200k+	4.4%
Median income	$55,261

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.5%

$50k–$100k 12.0%

$100k–$150k 16.4%

$150k–$200k 15.9%

$200k–$300k 30.8%

$300k–$500k 14.4%

$500k–$1M 5.6%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$202,700
Median rent / month	$890
Owner occupied	73.6%
Renter occupied	26.4%
Vacant	17.5%
Single-family detached	78.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	17.1%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.37

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	4.3%
2000–2009	9.1%
1990–1999	15.1%
1980–1989	9.7%
1970–1979	13.3%
1960–1969	14.0%
1950–1959	11.2%
1940–1949	10.0%
1939 or earlier	12.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.4%
1 bedroom	6.4%
2 bedrooms	28.9%
3 bedrooms	51.2%
4 bedrooms	9.5%
5+ bedrooms	2.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.1%
1 vehicle	25.6%
2 vehicles	35.6%
3 or more	32.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.4%
Electricity	50.9%
Propane / LP gas	10.3%
Fuel oil	28.1%
Wood	6.4%
Solar	0.1%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,318	45.2%
Cohabiting couple	579	7.9%
Male householder, no spouse	1,515	20.6%
Female householder, no spouse	1,927	26.3%
Households with children under 18	1,944	26.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,728	37.2%
Average household size	2.29

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	23.3%	21.5%
Married	50.6%	47.5%
Separated	5.4%	2.0%
Widowed	4.0%	14.6%
Divorced	16.7%	14.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.9%

Some HS, no diploma 7.2%

HS graduate 31.8%

Some college, no degree 23.3%

Associate's degree 11.9%

Bachelor's degree 12.9%

Graduate / professional 9.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.0%
Bachelor's or higher	21.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	364	12.1%
Kindergarten	147	4.9%
Elementary school	1,152	38.3%
High school	521	17.3%
College / grad school	823	27.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.5%

Manufacturing 18.2%

Retail trade 10.7%

Professional & management 9.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.1%

Transportation & utilities 6.0%

Finance & real estate 5.2%

Construction 5.1%

Other services 4.0%

Public administration 4.0%

Wholesale trade 1.4%

Information 1.1%

Agriculture & mining 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.6%
Service	20.0%
Sales & office	16.7%
Natural resources & construction	5.6%
Production & transportation	19.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.2%
Government	13.7%
Self-employed	4.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.7%
Carpool	5.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	5.9%
Other means	1.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.2

Poverty

All people 14.4%

Under 18 years 22.0%

18 and over 12.7%

Married-couple families 5.4%

Female-led households 41.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.8%
Retirement income	28.7%
Supplemental Security	6.3%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.1%
High cholesterol	35.9%
Heart disease	8.1%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	9.4%
Arthritis	29.2%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	8.5%
Cancer	7.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.9%
No physical activity	23.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.9%
Fair or poor health	15.0%
Poor mental health	14.7%
Poor physical health	11.8%
No health insurance	16.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.8%
Visited dentist	64.6%
Cholesterol screening	90.1%
Teeth loss	15.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,323	9.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.7%
Under 18	10.3%
18–64 years	13.8%
65 and over	38.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	61.8%
Public insurance	43.7%
Uninsured under 19	4.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	15,804	92.9%
Spanish	272	1.7%
Other Indo-European	272	1.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	16,641	97.8%
Born in same state	16,597	97.6%
Born in different state	12,418	73.0%
Foreign born	44	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	366	2.2%
Not a US citizen	159	43.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	3,270	19.2%
Italian	1,975	11.6%
Arab	1,626	9.6%
German	143	0.8%
English	143	0.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	83	0.5%
Irish	50	0.3%
Norwegian	39	0.2%
Dutch	26	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.2%
Internet access	88.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Canton, NC have?

Canton, NC has one ZIP code: 28716. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.