Emerald Isle ZIP Codes — Carteret County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Emerald Isle, North Carolina and it is 28594. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

5.71

sq mi land

14.67

sq mi water

252

area code

Emerald Isle, NC ZIP code map

About Emerald Isle, NC

Emerald Isle is a beautiful coastal town located in North Carolina. Known for its stunning beaches and warm maritime climate, it's a popular destination for both residents and tourists. The town offers a unique blend of natural beauty and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

Location & geography

Emerald Isle is situated in Carteret County, along the southern coast of North Carolina. It is approximately 18 miles from Morehead City, 16 miles from Atlantic Beach, 22 miles from Beaufort, and about 12 miles from Swansboro. The town covers 5.71 square miles of land and features a significant water area of 14.67 square miles, encompassing beautiful coastal landscapes.

Community & economy

The community in Emerald Isle is characterized by its friendly, laid-back vibe, making it an appealing place for families and retirees. The local economy is heavily influenced by tourism, with many residents engaged in hospitality and recreational industries. Daily life in Emerald Isle revolves around enjoying the outdoors, with activities such as fishing, boating, and beachcombing being popular among residents and visitors alike.

Transportation

Emerald Isle is accessible via North Carolina Highway 58, which connects it to nearby cities and provides a scenic drive along the coast. The nearest major airport is Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in New Bern, located about 40 miles away. Public transit options are limited, but the community is bike-friendly, with many residents using bicycles for local errands.

History

Emerald Isle was developed as a town in the mid-20th century, primarily as a beach resort destination. Key industries historically included fishing and tourism, which continue to play an important role in the local economy. Notable events include the establishment of the iconic Emerald Isle Fishing Pier, which has been a popular spot for anglers and tourists since its inception.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Emerald Isle is that it is home to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, which is just a short drive away. Additionally, the town is known for its commitment to preserving its natural beauty and coastal resources through conservation programs.

ZIP codes for Emerald Isle, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28594	Emerald Isle	Carteret	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,870

Population

57.9

Median age

$85,982

Median household income

$60,375

Per capita income

$489,200

Median home value

$1,373

Median monthly rent

84.5%

Home ownership

3.3%

Poverty rate

1.0%

Unemployment

6,467

Housing units

51.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

107

15–19

116

20–24

25–34

100

144

35–44

155

238

45–54

256

215

55–59

232

248

60–64

267

397

65–74

427

150

75–84

162

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	584	15.1%
18 and over	3,286	84.9%
65 and over	1,197	30.9%
Median age	57.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.1%

Two or more races 6.4%

Hispanic or Latino 3.1%

Black or African American 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	3,596	90.1%
Two or more races	257	6.4%
Hispanic or Latino	122	3.1%
Black or African American	12	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	5	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.1%

$10k–$15k 1.4%

$15k–$25k 3.9%

$25k–$35k 5.6%

$35k–$50k 13.2%

$50k–$75k 17.5%

$75k–$100k 10.9%

$100k–$150k 15.9%

$150k–$200k 11.4%

$200k+ 18.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.1%
$10k–$15k	1.4%
$15k–$25k	3.9%
$25k–$35k	5.6%
$35k–$50k	13.2%
$50k–$75k	17.5%
$75k–$100k	10.9%
$100k–$150k	15.9%
$150k–$200k	11.4%
$200k+	18.1%
Median income	$85,982

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.2%

$50k–$100k 4.9%

$100k–$150k 1.6%

$150k–$200k 7.2%

$200k–$300k 6.6%

$300k–$500k 30.2%

$500k–$1M 37.5%

$1M+ 10.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$489,200
Median rent / month	$1,373
Owner occupied	84.5%
Renter occupied	15.5%
Vacant	74.0%
Single-family detached	58.8%
Large apartment buildings	7.2%
Mobile homes	13.2%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.23

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.3%
2010–2019	7.3%
2000–2009	13.6%
1990–1999	25.1%
1980–1989	32.0%
1970–1979	17.3%
1960–1969	2.8%
1950–1959	0.6%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	0.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.6%
1 bedroom	3.4%
2 bedrooms	13.7%
3 bedrooms	48.0%
4 bedrooms	24.4%
5+ bedrooms	8.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.1%
1 vehicle	23.5%
2 vehicles	49.2%
3 or more	26.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.1%
Electricity	86.6%
Propane / LP gas	10.2%
Wood	0.5%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,163	66.4%
Cohabiting couple	35	2.0%
Male householder, no spouse	268	15.3%
Female householder, no spouse	285	16.3%
Households with children under 18	323	18.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	743	42.4%
Average household size	2.21

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	15.3%	12.3%
Married	72.4%	69.2%
Separated	2.3%	1.2%
Widowed	1.9%	6.0%
Divorced	8.2%	11.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.4%

Some HS, no diploma 1.3%

HS graduate 15.3%

Some college, no degree 21.2%

Associate's degree 9.9%

Bachelor's degree 28.8%

Graduate / professional 23.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	98.3%
Bachelor's or higher	51.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	5	0.9%
Elementary school	250	45.3%
High school	174	31.5%
College / grad school	123	22.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Retail trade 17.6%

Education & healthcare 17.6%

Professional & management 14.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.6%

Finance & real estate 8.8%

Construction 7.7%

Public administration 7.7%

Manufacturing 6.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.3%

Other services 2.7%

Information 2.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	48.0%
Service	11.3%
Sales & office	29.5%
Natural resources & construction	5.3%
Production & transportation	5.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.8%
Government	18.2%
Self-employed	10.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.2%
Carpool	2.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.0%
Other means	1.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	28.4

Poverty

All people 3.3%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 3.9%

Married-couple families 1.8%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	49.3%
Retirement income	44.5%
Supplemental Security	1.3%
Cash public assistance	0.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	1.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.6%
High cholesterol	38.3%
Heart disease	7.2%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	7.8%
Arthritis	28.3%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	5.9%
Cancer	8.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.0%
No physical activity	16.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.8%
Fair or poor health	9.6%
Poor mental health	10.9%
Poor physical health	8.5%
No health insurance	10.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	80.4%
Visited dentist	75.9%
Cholesterol screening	93.6%
Teeth loss	7.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	452	14.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.9%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	8.2%
65 and over	24.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	84.9%
Public insurance	40.2%
Uninsured under 19	3.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,716	96.0%
Spanish	18	0.5%
Other Indo-European	7	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	5	0.1%
Other languages	6	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,807	98.4%
Born in same state	3,786	97.8%
Born in different state	1,627	42.0%
Foreign born	21	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	63	1.6%
Not a US citizen	45	71.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	922	23.8%
Italian	622	16.1%
Arab	433	11.2%
Polish	53	1.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	26	0.7%
Irish	22	0.6%
German	17	0.4%
Dutch	11	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.2%
Internet access	99.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Emerald Isle, NC have?

Emerald Isle, NC has one ZIP code: 28594. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.