Columbus ZIP Codes — Polk County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Columbus, North Carolina and it is 28722. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

43.87

sq mi land

0.02

sq mi water

828

area code

Columbus, NC ZIP code map

About Columbus, NC

Columbus is a quaint town nestled in the scenic landscapes of Polk County, North Carolina. Known for its charming atmosphere and friendly community, Columbus offers a serene environment surrounded by nature. This small town has a rich history and serves as a great destination for those looking to escape the bustle of city life.

Location & geography

Geographically, Columbus is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing stunning views and a variety of outdoor activities. It is approximately 12 miles from the city of Hendersonville to the northwest, 20 miles from Spartanburg, South Carolina, to the south, and about 26 miles from Greenville, South Carolina, to the southeast. The town covers a land area of 43.87 square miles, with a minor water area of 0.02 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Columbus is defined by its tight-knit community that prides itself on local traditions and an active lifestyle. Key industries in the area include agriculture and tourism, with many residents working in or supporting these sectors. Daily life in Columbus revolves around community events, outdoor recreational activities, and enjoying the natural beauty surrounding the town.

Transportation

Columbus is conveniently accessed via U.S. Highway 74, which connects it to larger neighboring cities and regions. The nearest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, located approximately 30 miles to the northwest, providing access to domestic flights for residents and visitors.

History

Founded in the early 19th century, Columbus has a rich heritage tied to the lumber and textile industries. The town has seen significant growth over the years, particularly with the rise of tourism as a means of bolstering the local economy, drawing visitors to its natural attractions and historical sites.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Columbus is that it is home to the Tryon International Equestrian Center, which is one of the largest equestrian venues in the world. This facility not only attracts international equestrian events but also serves as a gathering place for horse enthusiasts from around the globe.

ZIP codes for Columbus, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28722	Columbus	Polk	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,239

Population

49.5

Median age

$59,173

Median household income

$34,860

Per capita income

$251,100

Median home value

$1,039

Median monthly rent

68.2%

Home ownership

11.4%

Poverty rate

2.9%

Unemployment

2,359

Housing units

33.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

115

Under 5

137

5–9

103

182

10–14

215

159

15–19

187

165

20–24

196

235

25–34

278

349

35–44

413

372

45–54

439

143

55–59

170

184

60–64

217

371

65–74

438

373

75–84

440

124

85+

147

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	989	15.9%
18 and over	5,250	84.1%
65 and over	1,893	30.3%
Median age	49.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87.3%

Hispanic or Latino 4%

Black or African American 3.4%

Two or more races 3.2%

Other race 1.6%

Asian 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	5,668	87.3%
Hispanic or Latino	257	4%
Black or African American	222	3.4%
Two or more races	209	3.2%
Other race	106	1.6%
Asian	21	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	13	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 6.9%

$10k–$15k 6.6%

$15k–$25k 13.9%

$25k–$35k 8.4%

$35k–$50k 8.4%

$50k–$75k 16.2%

$75k–$100k 12.5%

$100k–$150k 16.5%

$150k–$200k 5.3%

$200k+ 5.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.9%
$10k–$15k	6.6%
$15k–$25k	13.9%
$25k–$35k	8.4%
$35k–$50k	8.4%
$50k–$75k	16.2%
$75k–$100k	12.5%
$100k–$150k	16.5%
$150k–$200k	5.3%
$200k+	5.4%
Median income	$59,173

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.2%

$50k–$100k 6.7%

$100k–$150k 8.1%

$150k–$200k 17.0%

$200k–$300k 23.9%

$300k–$500k 25.3%

$500k–$1M 9.2%

$1M+ 4.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$251,100
Median rent / month	$1,039
Owner occupied	68.2%
Renter occupied	31.8%
Vacant	16.4%
Single-family detached	71.4%
Large apartment buildings	8.8%
Mobile homes	10.4%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.43

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	7.3%
2000–2009	14.3%
1990–1999	19.6%
1980–1989	15.1%
1970–1979	19.4%
1960–1969	9.3%
1950–1959	7.4%
1940–1949	2.1%
1939 or earlier	5.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.8%
1 bedroom	6.1%
2 bedrooms	36.9%
3 bedrooms	44.9%
4 bedrooms	8.6%
5+ bedrooms	2.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.2%
1 vehicle	37.0%
2 vehicles	34.1%
3 or more	24.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	8.2%
Electricity	75.7%
Propane / LP gas	7.7%
Fuel oil	3.5%
Wood	4.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,315	48.9%
Cohabiting couple	89	3.3%
Male householder, no spouse	439	16.3%
Female householder, no spouse	844	31.4%
Households with children under 18	529	19.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,359	50.6%
Average household size	2.27

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	21.8%	18.7%
Married	59.5%	50.2%
Separated	1.3%	2.4%
Widowed	4.7%	14.8%
Divorced	12.7%	14.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.1%

Some HS, no diploma 5.1%

HS graduate 26.1%

Some college, no degree 22.8%

Associate's degree 9.5%

Bachelor's degree 21.5%

Graduate / professional 11.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.7%
Bachelor's or higher	33.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	56	5.2%
Kindergarten	9	0.8%
Elementary school	539	50.1%
High school	212	19.7%
College / grad school	260	24.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.0%

Retail trade 17.1%

Manufacturing 12.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.4%

Professional & management 6.8%

Other services 6.8%

Finance & real estate 6.4%

Construction 6.0%

Agriculture & mining 5.0%

Transportation & utilities 4.6%

Public administration 2.7%

Wholesale trade 1.8%

Information 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.5%
Service	18.7%
Sales & office	22.6%
Natural resources & construction	13.0%
Production & transportation	15.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.1%
Government	11.3%
Self-employed	8.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.5%
Carpool	4.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.5%
Other means	1.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.0

Poverty

All people 11.4%

Under 18 years 11.6%

18 and over 11.4%

Married-couple families 4.4%

Female-led households 24.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	50.9%
Retirement income	29.2%
Supplemental Security	2.3%
Cash public assistance	2.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.4%
High cholesterol	40.6%
Heart disease	9.6%
Stroke	4.3%
Asthma	8.7%
Arthritis	32.8%
Kidney disease	4.0%
Pulmonary disease	8.6%
Cancer	9.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.9%
No physical activity	24.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.3%
Fair or poor health	14.9%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	11.7%
No health insurance	16.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	81.1%
Visited dentist	67.5%
Cholesterol screening	92.7%
Teeth loss	13.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	516	9.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.5%
Under 18	3.3%
18–64 years	8.0%
65 and over	29.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.7%
Public insurance	47.1%
Uninsured under 19	3.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	5,987	96.0%
Spanish	243	4.1%
Other Indo-European	243	4.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,843	93.7%
Born in same state	5,586	89.5%
Born in different state	2,355	37.7%
Foreign born	257	4.1%
Naturalized citizen	396	6.3%
Not a US citizen	173	43.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,047	16.8%
Italian	801	12.8%
Arab	271	4.3%
English	231	3.7%
Dutch	67	1.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	46	0.7%
German	43	0.7%
Irish	34	0.5%
Norwegian	8	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.1%
Internet access	91.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Columbus, NC have?

Columbus, NC has one ZIP code: 28722. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.