Cullowhee ZIP Codes — Jackson County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Cullowhee, North Carolina and it is 28723. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

111.95

sq mi land

2.18

sq mi water

828

area code

Cullowhee, NC ZIP code map

About Cullowhee, NC

Cullowhee, North Carolina, is a quaint community nestled in the heart of Jackson County. Known for its stunning mountain views and rich cultural heritage, Cullowhee is a small yet vibrant college town. The city offers a blend of natural beauty and educational opportunities, making it a unique place to live and visit.

Location & geography

Cullowhee is strategically located in western North Carolina, surrounded by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. It is approximately 7 miles northwest of the town of Sylva and about 11 miles southeast of Cherokee, making it easily accessible for those traveling in the region. The city spans a land area of 111.95 square miles, with 2.18 square miles of water, providing a beautiful backdrop of both land and waterways.

Community & economy

The character of Cullowhee is defined by its close-knit community and a strong connection to nature. The primary industries include education, tourism, and agriculture, with Western Carolina University serving as a significant institution in the area. Daily life in Cullowhee often revolves around outdoor activities, and residents enjoy a variety of local events, offering a harmonious blend of culture and camaraderie.

Transportation

Cullowhee is accessible via several major highways, most notably Highway 107, which connects to other prominent routes in the region. The nearest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, located approximately 50 miles away, providing convenient travel options for residents and visitors alike. Public transit options are limited, encouraging a lifestyle that promotes vehicular travel or outdoor exploration.

History

Cullowhee was founded in the mid-19th century, gradually evolving from a rural settlement into a recognized community. The area has been historically significant for its agriculture and, more recently, for education, thanks to the establishment of Western Carolina University. Key events have shaped the town’s identity, particularly through its growth as an educational hub and tourist destination in the region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Cullowhee is that it is home to Western Carolina University, which plays a pivotal role in the local economy and culture. Additionally, the city’s natural landscapes and proximity to the Nantahala National Forest attract outdoor enthusiasts from across the state and beyond.

ZIP codes for Cullowhee, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28723	Cullowhee	Jackson	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,880

Population

22.0

Median age

$43,649

Median household income

$20,868

Per capita income

$304,000

Median home value

$835

Median monthly rent

39.6%

Home ownership

31.6%

Poverty rate

8.4%

Unemployment

3,066

Housing units

35.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

139

10–14

132

1,296

15–19

1,230

1,856

20–24

1,763

580

25–34

551

233

35–44

222

231

45–54

220

176

55–59

167

259

60–64

246

353

65–74

335

220

75–84

209

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	802	7.4%
18 and over	10,078	92.6%
65 and over	1,253	11.5%
Median age	22.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 78.8%

Black or African American 5.9%

Hispanic or Latino 5.6%

Two or more races 5%

Other race 2.3%

Asian 1.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1%

Group	Count	%
White	9,085	78.8%
Black or African American	679	5.9%
Hispanic or Latino	647	5.6%
Two or more races	580	5%
Other race	269	2.3%
Asian	150	1.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	114	1%

Household income

Under $10k 11.1%

$10k–$15k 10.1%

$15k–$25k 7.5%

$25k–$35k 8.4%

$35k–$50k 19.7%

$50k–$75k 18.5%

$75k–$100k 9.7%

$100k–$150k 9.8%

$150k–$200k 3.6%

$200k+ 1.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	11.1%
$10k–$15k	10.1%
$15k–$25k	7.5%
$25k–$35k	8.4%
$35k–$50k	19.7%
$50k–$75k	18.5%
$75k–$100k	9.7%
$100k–$150k	9.8%
$150k–$200k	3.6%
$200k+	1.6%
Median income	$43,649

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.4%

$50k–$100k 3.6%

$100k–$150k 9.0%

$150k–$200k 10.5%

$200k–$300k 22.5%

$300k–$500k 34.3%

$500k–$1M 7.2%

$1M+ 9.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$304,000
Median rent / month	$835
Owner occupied	39.6%
Renter occupied	60.4%
Vacant	31.1%
Single-family detached	55.7%
Large apartment buildings	15.9%
Mobile homes	10.3%
Median rooms	4.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.19

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.4%
2010–2019	11.0%
2000–2009	29.4%
1990–1999	12.6%
1980–1989	11.3%
1970–1979	13.7%
1960–1969	7.9%
1950–1959	4.6%
1940–1949	3.8%
1939 or earlier	4.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	7.1%
1 bedroom	12.8%
2 bedrooms	30.1%
3 bedrooms	33.0%
4 bedrooms	15.4%
5+ bedrooms	1.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.2%
1 vehicle	39.1%
2 vehicles	38.5%
3 or more	20.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.7%
Electricity	72.8%
Propane / LP gas	13.8%
Fuel oil	2.5%
Wood	8.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	998	27.6%
Cohabiting couple	267	7.4%
Male householder, no spouse	1,327	36.7%
Female householder, no spouse	1,028	28.4%
Households with children under 18	387	10.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	906	25.0%
Average household size	2.10

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	67.3%	69.6%
Married	20.6%	21.3%
Separated	1.9%	0.1%
Widowed	1.8%	4.4%
Divorced	8.5%	4.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.8%

Some HS, no diploma 4.7%

HS graduate 26.8%

Some college, no degree 21.0%

Associate's degree 8.9%

Bachelor's degree 18.4%

Graduate / professional 17.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.5%
Bachelor's or higher	35.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	47	0.7%
Kindergarten	19	0.3%
Elementary school	360	5.6%
High school	200	3.1%
College / grad school	5,844	90.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 22.2%

Retail trade 21.4%

Professional & management 6.2%

Manufacturing 5.1%

Construction 4.5%

Other services 4.0%

Finance & real estate 3.5%

Public administration 2.7%

Transportation & utilities 2.0%

Agriculture & mining 1.6%

Wholesale trade 0.2%

Information 0.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.0%
Service	30.3%
Sales & office	23.3%
Natural resources & construction	7.0%
Production & transportation	8.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.4%
Government	17.0%
Self-employed	3.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.6%
Carpool	9.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	8.9%
Other means	0.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.3

Poverty

All people 31.6%

Under 18 years 20.5%

18 and over 32.9%

Married-couple families 2.1%

Female-led households 30.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	29.4%
Retirement income	24.0%
Supplemental Security	2.3%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	22.4%
High cholesterol	24.6%
Heart disease	4.2%
Stroke	2.0%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	15.1%
Kidney disease	2.1%
Pulmonary disease	5.1%
Cancer	3.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.1%
No physical activity	18.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.6%
Fair or poor health	10.8%
Poor mental health	18.4%
Poor physical health	8.4%
No health insurance	16.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.5%
Visited dentist	63.6%
Cholesterol screening	79.6%
Teeth loss	14.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	410	4.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.4%
Under 18	1.6%
18–64 years	7.6%
65 and over	26.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	77.5%
Public insurance	22.8%
Uninsured under 19	8.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	10,701	98.4%
Spanish	477	4.5%
Other Indo-European	417	3.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	18	0.2%
Other languages	17	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	10,346	95.1%
Born in same state	10,164	93.4%
Born in different state	6,195	56.9%
Foreign born	182	1.7%
Naturalized citizen	534	4.9%
Not a US citizen	140	26.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	2,503	23%
French	1,207	11.1%
Italian	1,009	9.3%
Polish	77	0.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	41	0.4%
Norwegian	40	0.4%
German	22	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	33.3%
Internet access	94.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Cullowhee, NC have?

Cullowhee, NC has one ZIP code: 28723. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.