Chapel Hill ZIP Codes — Orange County, NC

There are 5 unique ZIP codes in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Area code: 919/984.

ZIP codes

159.19

sq mi land

5.13

sq mi water

919/984

area code

Chapel Hill, NC ZIP code map

About Chapel Hill, NC

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is a vibrant town renowned for its rich cultural heritage and academic environment. Nestled in Orange County, this city is often celebrated for its picturesque landscapes and a strong sense of community. The presence of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill contributes significantly to its lively atmosphere, fostering innovation, education, and a youthful spirit.

Location & geography

Chapel Hill is located in the central part of North Carolina, approximately 30 miles southwest of the state capital, Raleigh, and about 15 miles north of Durham. The city covers a land area of 159.19 square miles, with a water area of 5.13 square miles that enhances its scenic beauty. The surrounding terrain features rolling hills and vibrant green spaces, making it a desirable location for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Chapel Hill is defined by a strong commitment to education, culture, and community engagement. Major industries in the area include education, healthcare, and technology, driven largely by the university and Research Triangle Park nearby. Daily life in this charming town is enriched by various cultural festivals, farmer's markets, and an array of dining options that reflect its diverse population.

Transportation

Chapel Hill is well-connected by several highways, including U.S. Route 15-501 and Interstate 40, which provide easy access to surrounding areas. The nearest major airport is Raleigh-Durham International Airport, located approximately 20 miles away, serving as a key transit hub for residents and visitors. Local transportation options include bus services that facilitate travel within the town and to neighboring cities.

History

Founded in the late 18th century, Chapel Hill gained prominence primarily due to the establishment of the University of North Carolina in 1789, which became a cornerstone of the town's development. Over the years, key industries have emerged, particularly in education and healthcare, shaping its economic landscape. Notable events include the town's active role in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s, which contributed to its progressive identity.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Chapel Hill is that it was one of the first towns in the United States to implement a public transportation system. Additionally, it is home to the beautiful North Carolina Botanical Garden, showcasing a diverse range of plant species native to the region.

ZIP codes for Chapel Hill, NC (5)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27514	Chapel Hill	Orange	View map
27515	Chapel Hill	Orange	View map
27516	Chapel Hill	Orange	View map
27517	Chapel Hill	Orange	View map
27599	Chapel Hill	Orange	View map

Demographics & statistics

104,607

Population

34.3

Median age

$101,535

Median household income

$57,667

Per capita income

$533,667

Median home value

$1,417

Median monthly rent

63.4%

Home ownership

11.8%

Poverty rate

4.0%

Unemployment

28,442

Housing units

76.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,849

Under 5

1,973

2,492

5–9

2,658

3,124

10–14

3,333

6,176

15–19

6,588

6,481

20–24

6,914

5,442

25–34

5,805

5,469

35–44

5,834

6,026

45–54

6,429

2,725

55–59

2,908

2,594

60–64

2,768

4,844

65–74

5,167

2,443

75–84

2,607

947

85+

1,011

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	19,533	18.3%
18 and over	85,074	81.7%
65 and over	17,019	16.9%
Median age	34.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 68.1%

Asian 9.4%

Black or African American 8.4%

Two or more races 5.8%

Hispanic or Latino 5.1%

Other race 2.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	75,001	68.1%
Asian	10,401	9.4%
Black or African American	9,293	8.4%
Two or more races	6,411	5.8%
Hispanic or Latino	5,582	5.1%
Other race	3,202	2.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	298	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 7.1%

$10k–$15k 2.3%

$15k–$25k 5.2%

$25k–$35k 4.7%

$35k–$50k 6.7%

$50k–$75k 13.2%

$75k–$100k 9.8%

$100k–$150k 14.1%

$150k–$200k 10.7%

$200k+ 26.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.1%
$10k–$15k	2.3%
$15k–$25k	5.2%
$25k–$35k	4.7%
$35k–$50k	6.7%
$50k–$75k	13.2%
$75k–$100k	9.8%
$100k–$150k	14.1%
$150k–$200k	10.7%
$200k+	26.0%
Median income	$101,535

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.3%

$50k–$100k 1.6%

$100k–$150k 1.5%

$150k–$200k 4.0%

$200k–$300k 9.1%

$300k–$500k 28.8%

$500k–$1M 44.9%

$1M+ 8.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$533,667
Median rent / month	$1,417
Owner occupied	63.4%
Renter occupied	36.6%
Vacant	8.6%
Single-family detached	57.5%
Large apartment buildings	10.3%
Mobile homes	2.5%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.59

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.0%
2010–2019	16.7%
2000–2009	18.5%
1990–1999	18.3%
1980–1989	15.1%
1970–1979	12.5%
1960–1969	7.8%
1950–1959	5.1%
1940–1949	2.0%
1939 or earlier	3.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.0%
1 bedroom	9.6%
2 bedrooms	26.4%
3 bedrooms	27.7%
4 bedrooms	22.9%
5+ bedrooms	10.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.7%
1 vehicle	32.6%
2 vehicles	43.4%
3 or more	19.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	42.7%
Electricity	51.6%
Propane / LP gas	3.9%
Fuel oil	0.3%
Wood	0.9%
Solar	0.1%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	19,739	51.0%
Cohabiting couple	1,856	4.9%
Male householder, no spouse	6,476	17.0%
Female householder, no spouse	10,256	27.1%
Households with children under 18	10,581	27.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	11,252	29.5%
Average household size	2.41

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	41.8%	41.3%
Married	49.7%	45.0%
Separated	1.2%	0.8%
Widowed	1.9%	5.2%
Divorced	5.4%	7.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.8%

Some HS, no diploma 2.2%

HS graduate 7.2%

Some college, no degree 8.1%

Associate's degree 4.6%

Bachelor's degree 31.0%

Graduate / professional 45.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.9%
Bachelor's or higher	76.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	1,044	3.2%
Kindergarten	1,170	3.6%
Elementary school	9,056	26.9%
High school	5,454	14.7%
College / grad school	22,613	51.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 38.2%

Professional & management 18.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.1%

Retail trade 6.3%

Manufacturing 6.0%

Finance & real estate 6.0%

Other services 3.9%

Construction 2.9%

Public administration 2.4%

Information 2.3%

Transportation & utilities 2.0%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Agriculture & mining 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	65.1%
Service	14.8%
Sales & office	13.1%
Natural resources & construction	3.4%
Production & transportation	3.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	70.8%
Government	22.9%
Self-employed	6.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	54.9%
Carpool	7.7%
Public transit	4.9%
Walk	3.8%
Other means	2.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.3

Poverty

All people 11.8%

Under 18 years 6.4%

18 and over 13.2%

Married-couple families 2.7%

Female-led households 14.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	26.9%
Retirement income	25.6%
Supplemental Security	2.7%
Cash public assistance	1.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	25.6%
High cholesterol	27.3%
Heart disease	4.4%
Stroke	2.0%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	18.1%
Kidney disease	2.2%
Pulmonary disease	4.0%
Cancer	5.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.3%
No physical activity	15.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.1%
Fair or poor health	8.7%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	7.0%
No health insurance	12.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.8%
Visited dentist	73.0%
Cholesterol screening	88.3%
Teeth loss	8.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	3,639	4.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	7.6%
Under 18	2.4%
18–64 years	4.5%
65 and over	24.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	84.2%
Public insurance	23.1%
Uninsured under 19	2.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	100,785	96.3%
Spanish	5,287	5.5%
Other Indo-European	2,460	2.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	520	0.5%
Other languages	2,182	2.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	90,192	85.8%
Born in same state	88,544	84.3%
Born in different state	38,642	36.9%
Foreign born	1,648	1.5%
Naturalized citizen	14,415	14.2%
Not a US citizen	7,634	52.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	15,322	14.6%
Italian	11,571	11.1%
Arab	4,026	3.8%
Polish	866	0.8%
English	846	0.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	644	0.6%
Irish	572	0.5%
Dutch	411	0.4%
Norwegian	260	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	36.8%
Internet access	98.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Chapel Hill, NC have?

Chapel Hill, NC has 4 ZIP codes: 27514, 27516, 27517, and 27599. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.