Cedar Island ZIP Codes — Carteret County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Cedar Island, North Carolina and it is 28520. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

91.64

sq mi land

105.34

sq mi water

252

area code

Cedar Island, NC ZIP code map

About Cedar Island, NC

Cedar Island, located in North Carolina, is a charming coastal town known for its scenic beauty and serene lifestyle. Nestled in Carteret County, it offers a unique blend of relaxation and recreation. The tranquil environment is perfect for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Location & geography

Cedar Island is situated near the eastern coast of North Carolina and is characterized by its expansive land and water areas. The town is approximately 20 miles east of Beaufort and about 30 miles in proximity to Morehead City. Covering a land area of 91.64 square miles and a water area of 105.34 square miles, Cedar Island is predominantly surrounded by water, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Community & economy

The community of Cedar Island is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and a strong sense of local pride. The primary industries include tourism, fishing, and agricultural pursuits that support the local economy. Daily life revolves around a close-knit community with residents who enjoy fishing, boating, and participating in local events.

Transportation

Cedar Island is accessible via Highway 70, which connects it to nearby towns and cities. The nearest major airport is the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport located approximately 40 miles away in New Bern. Public transit options are limited, so residents typically depend on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Cedar Island was founded in the early settlement days of North Carolina, reflecting the state's rich maritime history. The island has historically relied on fishing and tourism, with significant events showcasing its heritage and traditions. As a picturesque coastal destination, it has continually attracted visitors seeking solitude and natural beauty.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Cedar Island is that it serves as a gateway to the Cape Lookout National Seashore, home to some of the state's most stunning beaches. Additionally, Cedar Island is renowned for the iconic Cedar Island Ferry that connects to Ocracoke Island, providing a unique access point to the Outer Banks region.

ZIP codes for Cedar Island, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28520	Cedar Island	Carteret	View map

Demographics & statistics

170

Population

63.4

Median age

$66,625

Median household income

$44,745

Per capita income

$192,700

Median home value

Median monthly rent

70.3%

Home ownership

4.7%

Poverty rate

0.0%

Unemployment

148

Housing units

9.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

25–34

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	6	3.5%
18 and over	164	96.5%
65 and over	70	41.2%
Median age	63.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.1%

Two or more races 2.9%

Group	Count	%
White	165	97.1%
Two or more races	5	2.9%

Household income

Under $10k 7.2%

$15k–$25k 8.1%

$25k–$35k 22.5%

$50k–$75k 15.3%

$75k–$100k 29.7%

$100k–$150k 12.6%

$200k+ 4.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.2%
$15k–$25k	8.1%
$25k–$35k	22.5%
$50k–$75k	15.3%
$75k–$100k	29.7%
$100k–$150k	12.6%
$200k+	4.5%
Median income	$66,625

Housing

Home values

$50k–$100k 3.8%

$150k–$200k 55.1%

$200k–$300k 20.5%

$300k–$500k 14.1%

$500k–$1M 6.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$192,700
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	70.3%
Renter occupied	29.7%
Vacant	38.7%
Single-family detached	95.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	5.0%
Median rooms	4.5
Avg household size (owned)	1.76

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	41.4%
2000–2009	6.1%
1990–1999	0.0%
1980–1989	0.0%
1970–1979	0.0%
1960–1969	9.9%
1950–1959	22.1%
1940–1949	1.7%
1939 or earlier	18.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	13.8%
2 bedrooms	44.8%
3 bedrooms	41.4%
4 bedrooms	0.0%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	45.9%
2 vehicles	33.3%
3 or more	20.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	45.0%
Propane / LP gas	55.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	43	38.7%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	33	29.7%
Female householder, no spouse	35	31.5%
Households with children under 18	3	2.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	70	63.1%
Average household size	1.53

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	21.6%	0.0%
Married	51.1%	53.9%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	10.2%	13.2%
Divorced	17.0%	32.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 14.6%

Some HS, no diploma 0.0%

HS graduate 44.5%

Some college, no degree 25.6%

Associate's degree 5.5%

Bachelor's degree 0.0%

Graduate / professional 9.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.4%
Bachelor's or higher	9.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	3	50.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	3	50.0%
High school	0	0.0%
College / grad school	0	0.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Public administration 42.0%

Finance & real estate 22.0%

Agriculture & mining 20.0%

Transportation & utilities 16.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.0%
Service	0.0%
Sales & office	0.0%
Natural resources & construction	36.0%
Production & transportation	32.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	22.0%
Government	58.0%
Self-employed	20.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	68.0%
Carpool	0.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	0.0

Poverty

All people 4.7%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 4.9%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	68.5%
Retirement income	73.9%
Supplemental Security	7.2%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	0.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.0%
High cholesterol	38.8%
Heart disease	8.3%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	8.7%
Arthritis	30.6%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	8.2%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.8%
No physical activity	22.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.2%
Fair or poor health	13.6%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	11.1%
No health insurance	15.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.4%
Visited dentist	67.6%
Cholesterol screening	92.2%
Teeth loss	13.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	41	25.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	43.5%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	16.0%
65 and over	84.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	61.8%
Public insurance	54.7%
Uninsured under 19	100.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	167	98.2%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	170	100.0%
Born in same state	170	100.0%
Born in different state	91	53.5%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	42	24.7%
Italian	32	18.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	10	5.9%
Arab	10	5.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	65.3%
Internet access	92.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Cedar Island, NC have?

Cedar Island, NC has one ZIP code: 28520. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.