Ellenboro ZIP Codes — Rutherford County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Ellenboro, North Carolina and it is 28040. Area code: 828/704/980.

ZIP codes

67.76

sq mi land

0.01

sq mi water

828/704/980

area code

Ellenboro, NC ZIP code map

About Ellenboro, NC

Ellenboro is a charming town located in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Known for its friendly community and scenic beauty, it offers a rural lifestyle while being close to larger cities. The town features a blend of agricultural landscapes and residential areas, making it an inviting place to live or visit.

Location & geography

Ellenboro is situated in the western part of North Carolina, approximately 12 miles northeast of Rutherfordton and 20 miles southeast of Forest City. The town spans a total land area of 67.76 square miles and encompasses a minimal water area of 0.01 square miles. The surrounding terrain is characterized by rolling hills and lush greenery, typical of the Blue Ridge foothills.

Community & economy

Ellenboro has a tight-knit community that reflects the values of southern hospitality and neighborly support. The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture, but residents also partake in various service industries that cater to the needs of the town and nearby areas. Daily life here is marked by community events and a slower pace, allowing for strong personal connections among residents.

Transportation

Ellenboro is accessible via several key highways, including U.S. Route 74, which connects it to larger metropolitan areas in North Carolina. The nearest named airports are in Asheville and Greenville, each about an hour's drive away. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the most common mode of transportation.

History

Ellenboro was established in the late 19th century and grew steadily as a community centered around agriculture and local commerce. Key industries have included cotton farming and lumber, which were vital to the town's early economy. Over the years, local events and festivals have contributed to the town's sense of identity and community spirit.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Ellenboro is that it is home to the famous Ellenboro Saddle Club, which organizes various equestrian events throughout the year. Additionally, the town boasts a rich history of family farms that have been passed down through generations.

ZIP codes for Ellenboro, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28040	Ellenboro	Rutherford	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,061

Population

46.7

Median age

$55,634

Median household income

$28,591

Per capita income

$116,700

Median home value

$671

Median monthly rent

85.7%

Home ownership

11.9%

Poverty rate

9.1%

Unemployment

2,939

Housing units

16.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

154

Under 5

167

5–9

150

10–14

164

302

15–19

329

253

20–24

276

362

25–34

394

247

35–44

268

753

45–54

820

248

55–59

269

245

60–64

267

363

65–74

395

181

75–84

197

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,262	17.9%
18 and over	5,799	82.1%
65 and over	1,211	17.2%
Median age	46.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84.5%

Black or African American 4.6%

Hispanic or Latino 4.3%

Two or more races 3.6%

Other race 2.5%

Asian 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	6,235	84.5%
Black or African American	340	4.6%
Hispanic or Latino	320	4.3%
Two or more races	266	3.6%
Other race	183	2.5%
Asian	19	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	18	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 6.0%

$10k–$15k 3.3%

$15k–$25k 11.8%

$25k–$35k 10.1%

$35k–$50k 15.6%

$50k–$75k 20.2%

$75k–$100k 13.1%

$100k–$150k 12.2%

$150k–$200k 4.2%

$200k+ 3.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.0%
$10k–$15k	3.3%
$15k–$25k	11.8%
$25k–$35k	10.1%
$35k–$50k	15.6%
$50k–$75k	20.2%
$75k–$100k	13.1%
$100k–$150k	12.2%
$150k–$200k	4.2%
$200k+	3.5%
Median income	$55,634

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.4%

$50k–$100k 30.3%

$100k–$150k 16.6%

$150k–$200k 19.0%

$200k–$300k 15.7%

$300k–$500k 3.8%

$500k–$1M 2.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$116,700
Median rent / month	$671
Owner occupied	85.7%
Renter occupied	14.3%
Vacant	15.2%
Single-family detached	65.7%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	32.2%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.51

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.9%
2000–2009	13.9%
1990–1999	23.5%
1980–1989	10.8%
1970–1979	14.5%
1960–1969	10.7%
1950–1959	8.9%
1940–1949	7.3%
1939 or earlier	5.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	2.3%
2 bedrooms	27.1%
3 bedrooms	55.4%
4 bedrooms	10.4%
5+ bedrooms	4.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.7%
1 vehicle	23.8%
2 vehicles	34.2%
3 or more	33.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.3%
Electricity	81.1%
Propane / LP gas	9.4%
Fuel oil	3.7%
Wood	2.4%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,446	51.0%
Cohabiting couple	144	5.1%
Male householder, no spouse	397	14.0%
Female householder, no spouse	849	29.9%
Households with children under 18	810	28.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,014	35.8%
Average household size	2.49

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.7%	27.7%
Married	50.8%	48.4%
Separated	4.5%	2.3%
Widowed	3.2%	8.0%
Divorced	9.9%	13.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.8%

Some HS, no diploma 12.3%

HS graduate 35.7%

Some college, no degree 22.3%

Associate's degree 11.8%

Bachelor's degree 9.1%

Graduate / professional 7.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.9%
Bachelor's or higher	16.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	18	1.3%
Elementary school	404	29.0%
High school	532	38.2%
College / grad school	438	31.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.7%

Manufacturing 17.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.4%

Retail trade 9.9%

Construction 8.3%

Other services 7.5%

Transportation & utilities 5.7%

Professional & management 4.8%

Finance & real estate 3.0%

Public administration 2.3%

Wholesale trade 2.2%

Information 0.6%

Agriculture & mining 0.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.7%
Service	20.6%
Sales & office	19.5%
Natural resources & construction	16.0%
Production & transportation	17.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.9%
Government	15.1%
Self-employed	3.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.3%
Carpool	13.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.0%
Other means	2.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.7

Poverty

All people 11.9%

Under 18 years 13.1%

18 and over 11.7%

Married-couple families 2.5%

Female-led households 21.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.5%
Retirement income	31.8%
Supplemental Security	8.0%
Cash public assistance	1.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.1%
High cholesterol	35.7%
Heart disease	7.8%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.9%
Arthritis	28.7%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	9.4%
Cancer	6.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.5%
No physical activity	26.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.3%
Fair or poor health	17.1%
Poor mental health	16.1%
Poor physical health	13.0%
No health insurance	18.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.3%
Visited dentist	56.3%
Cholesterol screening	88.1%
Teeth loss	18.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	546	9.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	22.0%
Under 18	1.0%
18–64 years	20.2%
65 and over	50.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	67.2%
Public insurance	36.4%
Uninsured under 19	5.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,740	95.5%
Spanish	188	2.8%
Other Indo-European	148	2.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	25	0.4%
Other languages	15	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	6,850	97.0%
Born in same state	6,754	95.7%
Born in different state	5,354	75.8%
Foreign born	96	1.4%
Naturalized citizen	211	3.0%
Not a US citizen	194	91.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,753	24.8%
Italian	868	12.3%
French	526	7.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	45	0.6%
Dutch	13	0.2%
German	3	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.2%
Internet access	84.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Ellenboro, NC have?

Ellenboro, NC has one ZIP code: 28040. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.