Carolina Beach ZIP Code List — New Hanover County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Carolina Beach, North Carolina and it is 28428. Area code: 910.

ZIP codes

5.16

sq mi land

2.33

sq mi water

910

area code

Carolina Beach, NC ZIP code map

About Carolina Beach, NC

Carolina Beach, North Carolina, is a charming coastal town known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere. Nestled in New Hanover County, this small town attracts visitors year-round with its array of recreational activities and picturesque views. The community's laid-back vibe and rich cultural offerings make it a delightful destination for both tourists and residents alike.

Location & geography

Geographically, Carolina Beach is located along the southeastern coast of North Carolina. It is approximately 10 miles south of Wilmington, which is the nearest major city, as well as being close to Wrightsville Beach and Kure Beach. The town spans a total area of 5.16 square miles of land and has 2.33 square miles of water, providing ample opportunities for water-based activities.

Community & economy

Carolina Beach boasts a friendly and welcoming community that thrives on tourism as a primary industry. Residents enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, with many engaging in local businesses that cater to visitors and support recreational activities. The town hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, nurturing a strong sense of community and cultural heritage.

Transportation

Transportation in Carolina Beach includes easy access via U.S. Highway 421, which connects the town to Wilmington and other nearby areas. The nearest airports are Wilmington International Airport, located about 16 miles north, which offers domestic flights and some international services. Public transit is available, providing convenient options for residents and visitors to explore the area.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Carolina Beach started as a small seaside resort community that has grown over the years while retaining its quaint charm. Historically, the area was known for its fishing and tourism industries that played a crucial role in its development. Key events, such as the construction of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, have made it a popular destination for visitors.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Carolina Beach is that it has one of the only remaining wooden piers along the North Carolina coast. Additionally, the town hosts a unique annual event known as the Carolina Beach Music Festival, celebrating the region's distinctive musical heritage.

ZIP codes for Carolina Beach, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28428	Carolina Beach	New Hanover	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,949

Population

51.1

Median age

$87,330

Median household income

$54,065

Per capita income

$446,300

Median home value

$1,271

Median monthly rent

75.1%

Home ownership

8.4%

Poverty rate

8.4%

Unemployment

5,357

Housing units

44.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

105

Under 5

113

5–9

203

10–14

217

126

15–19

135

160

20–24

171

181

25–34

194

529

35–44

567

646

45–54

692

192

55–59

205

418

60–64

448

509

65–74

546

166

75–84

177

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	990	14.2%
18 and over	5,959	85.8%
65 and over	1,455	20.9%
Median age	51.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 93.2%

Hispanic or Latino 2.6%

Two or more races 2.1%

Other race 1.5%

Asian 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	6,645	93.2%
Hispanic or Latino	183	2.6%
Two or more races	149	2.1%
Other race	105	1.5%
Asian	23	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	18	0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	9	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.8%

$10k–$15k 1.1%

$15k–$25k 6.8%

$25k–$35k 3.7%

$35k–$50k 11.2%

$50k–$75k 14.2%

$75k–$100k 20.1%

$100k–$150k 13.6%

$150k–$200k 8.1%

$200k+ 15.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.8%
$10k–$15k	1.1%
$15k–$25k	6.8%
$25k–$35k	3.7%
$35k–$50k	11.2%
$50k–$75k	14.2%
$75k–$100k	20.1%
$100k–$150k	13.6%
$150k–$200k	8.1%
$200k+	15.4%
Median income	$87,330

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.6%

$50k–$100k 0.4%

$100k–$150k 4.2%

$150k–$200k 3.1%

$200k–$300k 10.6%

$300k–$500k 43.7%

$500k–$1M 26.0%

$1M+ 10.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$446,300
Median rent / month	$1,271
Owner occupied	75.1%
Renter occupied	24.9%
Vacant	49.4%
Single-family detached	43.6%
Large apartment buildings	9.6%
Mobile homes	2.0%
Median rooms	4.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.33

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	9.3%
2000–2009	20.4%
1990–1999	12.8%
1980–1989	32.8%
1970–1979	3.8%
1960–1969	6.1%
1950–1959	6.1%
1940–1949	3.4%
1939 or earlier	5.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.6%
1 bedroom	12.6%
2 bedrooms	28.4%
3 bedrooms	42.2%
4 bedrooms	11.5%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.5%
1 vehicle	35.9%
2 vehicles	43.7%
3 or more	17.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.7%
Electricity	97.3%
Propane / LP gas	2.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,656	53.4%
Cohabiting couple	201	6.5%
Male householder, no spouse	526	17.0%
Female householder, no spouse	717	23.1%
Households with children under 18	545	17.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,084	35.0%
Average household size	2.24

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	21.8%	17.4%
Married	60.7%	62.3%
Separated	3.7%	0.3%
Widowed	2.7%	5.2%
Divorced	11.2%	14.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.6%

Some HS, no diploma 1.2%

HS graduate 21.3%

Some college, no degree 21.7%

Associate's degree 10.6%

Bachelor's degree 29.7%

Graduate / professional 14.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	98.2%
Bachelor's or higher	44.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	90	8.6%
Kindergarten	19	1.8%
Elementary school	525	50.2%
High school	197	18.9%
College / grad school	214	20.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 13.5%

Professional & management 13.2%

Retail trade 11.7%

Construction 7.9%

Finance & real estate 7.8%

Manufacturing 7.6%

Other services 6.0%

Transportation & utilities 2.5%

Public administration 1.5%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Information 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	53.4%
Service	13.7%
Sales & office	20.8%
Natural resources & construction	6.5%
Production & transportation	5.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.9%
Government	10.4%
Self-employed	11.7%
Unpaid family workers	1.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.6%
Carpool	5.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.4%
Other means	2.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.1

Poverty

All people 8.4%

Under 18 years 6.0%

18 and over 8.9%

Married-couple families 5.4%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.9%
Retirement income	35.7%
Supplemental Security	2.3%
Cash public assistance	0.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	2.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.5%
High cholesterol	34.6%
Heart disease	5.7%
Stroke	2.5%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	23.8%
Kidney disease	2.6%
Pulmonary disease	5.9%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.9%
No physical activity	16.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	26.9%
Fair or poor health	10.1%
Poor mental health	12.9%
Poor physical health	8.9%
No health insurance	12.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.2%
Visited dentist	69.1%
Cholesterol screening	91.4%
Teeth loss	9.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	634	10.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.3%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	8.2%
65 and over	19.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.3%
Public insurance	29.1%
Uninsured under 19	5.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,731	96.9%
Spanish	25	0.4%
Other Indo-European	16	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	9	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	6,645	95.6%
Born in same state	6,566	94.5%
Born in different state	3,073	44.2%
Foreign born	79	1.1%
Naturalized citizen	304	4.4%
Not a US citizen	164	53.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,441	20.7%
Italian	1,035	14.9%
Arab	390	5.6%
Polish	82	1.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	73	1.1%
English	48	0.7%
Irish	47	0.7%
Dutch	44	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.6%
Internet access	98.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Carolina Beach, NC?

Carolina Beach, NC has one ZIP code: 28428.

What is the main ZIP code for Carolina Beach, NC?

The primary ZIP code for Carolina Beach, NC is 28428. The city uses area code 910 for phone service.

What county is Carolina Beach, NC in?

Carolina Beach is located in New Hanover County, North Carolina.

How many ZIP codes are in Carolina Beach, NC?

Carolina Beach, NC has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers the Carolina Beach Boardwalk area and downtown waterfront district?

The Carolina Beach Boardwalk and downtown waterfront area are located in ZIP code 28428, which encompasses the heart of this popular beach destination.

What is the ZIP code for the Carolina Beach amusement park area and nearby residential neighborhoods?

The Carolina Beach amusement park and surrounding residential neighborhoods are all served by ZIP code 28428, the only ZIP code for this New Hanover County beach community.