Franklin ZIP Code List — Macon County, NC

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Franklin, North Carolina. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

301.00

sq mi land

1.17

sq mi water

828

area code

Franklin, NC ZIP code map

About Franklin, NC

Franklin, North Carolina, is a charming town located in the heart of Macon County. Known for its stunning mountain scenery and rich cultural heritage, it has become a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts alike. The town offers a friendly atmosphere and serves as a gateway to the surrounding natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.

Location & geography

Franklin is situated in the western part of North Carolina, approximately 54 miles southwest of Asheville and 80 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. The town covers a land area of 301.00 square miles and has a water area of 1.17 square miles, featuring a mix of rolling hills and picturesque landscapes. It is bordered by the scenic Nantahala National Forest, providing numerous outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing.

Community & economy

The character of Franklin is defined by its warm, welcoming residents and a strong sense of community pride. The local economy is primarily supported by tourism, crafts, and outdoor recreation, alongside traditional industries such as agriculture. Daily life in Franklin often revolves around community events, local festivals, and enjoying the surrounding natural beauty.

Transportation

Franklin is served by U.S. Route 441, which provides easy access to neighboring towns and cities. The nearest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, approximately 70 miles away, which connects residents and visitors to larger airline networks. Public transportation options are limited, so most residents rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Franklin was founded in the early 19th century and incorporated as a town in 1855, making it a significant historical hub in the region. Throughout its history, the town has been a center for gold mining and later transitioned to a focus on tourism, capitalizing on the surrounding natural attractions. Notable events in Franklin's history include its development into a cultural destination, attracting visitors for its festivals and arts scene.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Franklin is that it is known for its significant production of gemstones, which has earned it the nickname 'Gem Capital of the World.' The town hosts an annual gemstone and jewelry show that attracts vendors and collectors from across the region.

ZIP codes for Franklin, NC (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28734	Franklin	Macon	View map
28744	Franklin	Macon	View map

Demographics & statistics

29,040

Population

48.8

Median age

$48,428

Median household income

$29,430

Per capita income

$184,200

Median home value

$821

Median monthly rent

74.3%

Home ownership

16.4%

Poverty rate

3.6%

Unemployment

14,793

Housing units

21.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

577

Under 5

620

628

5–9

676

881

10–14

947

775

15–19

834

876

20–24

941

1,343

25–34

1,444

1,334

35–44

1,434

1,761

45–54

1,894

1,138

55–59

1,223

993

60–64

1,067

2,121

65–74

2,281

1,154

75–84

1,240

413

85+

445

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	5,443	18.7%
18 and over	23,597	81.3%
65 and over	7,654	26.4%
Median age	48.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 86.3%

Hispanic or Latino 4.7%

Two or more races 3.7%

Other race 3.1%

Black or African American 1%

Asian 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	26,275	86.3%
Hispanic or Latino	1,422	4.7%
Two or more races	1,133	3.7%
Other race	944	3.1%
Black or African American	296	1%
Asian	294	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	98	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 6.1%

$10k–$15k 7.8%

$15k–$25k 12.2%

$25k–$35k 10.8%

$35k–$50k 14.8%

$50k–$75k 17.4%

$75k–$100k 12.2%

$100k–$150k 11.5%

$150k–$200k 3.7%

$200k+ 3.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.1%
$10k–$15k	7.8%
$15k–$25k	12.2%
$25k–$35k	10.8%
$35k–$50k	14.8%
$50k–$75k	17.4%
$75k–$100k	12.2%
$100k–$150k	11.5%
$150k–$200k	3.7%
$200k+	3.6%
Median income	$48,428

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.1%

$50k–$100k 10.5%

$100k–$150k 18.9%

$150k–$200k 18.8%

$200k–$300k 21.7%

$300k–$500k 18.9%

$500k–$1M 3.3%

$1M+ 1.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$184,200
Median rent / month	$821
Owner occupied	74.3%
Renter occupied	25.7%
Vacant	26.4%
Single-family detached	73.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.6%
Mobile homes	18.7%
Median rooms	5.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.18

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.5%
2010–2019	5.3%
2000–2009	17.4%
1990–1999	19.1%
1980–1989	19.8%
1970–1979	20.2%
1960–1969	6.8%
1950–1959	5.0%
1940–1949	2.4%
1939 or earlier	3.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.2%
1 bedroom	6.5%
2 bedrooms	36.6%
3 bedrooms	45.9%
4 bedrooms	8.3%
5+ bedrooms	1.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.1%
1 vehicle	30.0%
2 vehicles	36.2%
3 or more	26.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	4.1%
Electricity	68.0%
Propane / LP gas	16.9%
Fuel oil	3.4%
Wood	6.0%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	6,528	48.6%
Cohabiting couple	574	4.3%
Male householder, no spouse	2,367	17.6%
Female householder, no spouse	3,954	29.5%
Households with children under 18	3,156	23.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	5,636	42.0%
Average household size	2.15

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.5%	18.5%
Married	59.4%	51.0%
Separated	1.3%	1.3%
Widowed	3.7%	13.1%
Divorced	11.1%	16.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.6%

Some HS, no diploma 6.0%

HS graduate 35.0%

Some college, no degree 23.0%

Associate's degree 10.3%

Bachelor's degree 14.3%

Graduate / professional 6.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.4%
Bachelor's or higher	21.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	97	1.7%
Kindergarten	174	3.1%
Elementary school	2,641	46.8%
High school	1,487	26.3%
College / grad school	1,248	22.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.3%

Construction 13.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.5%

Retail trade 12.3%

Professional & management 9.6%

Other services 7.3%

Finance & real estate 4.8%

Manufacturing 4.6%

Public administration 4.3%

Transportation & utilities 3.4%

Information 2.5%

Wholesale trade 2.4%

Agriculture & mining 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.2%
Service	22.4%
Sales & office	20.7%
Natural resources & construction	13.8%
Production & transportation	10.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.7%
Government	15.6%
Self-employed	6.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.6%
Carpool	7.7%
Public transit	0.2%
Walk	1.4%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.7

Poverty

All people 16.4%

Under 18 years 20.3%

18 and over 15.5%

Married-couple families 6.5%

Female-led households 33.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	46.0%
Retirement income	25.4%
Supplemental Security	6.2%
Cash public assistance	1.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.5%
High cholesterol	39.8%
Heart disease	9.0%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	30.7%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	9.1%
Cancer	8.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.9%
No physical activity	24.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.3%
Fair or poor health	15.8%
Poor mental health	13.8%
Poor physical health	12.2%
No health insurance	17.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.5%
Visited dentist	63.8%
Cholesterol screening	90.6%
Teeth loss	14.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,200	9.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.5%
Under 18	6.3%
18–64 years	12.8%
65 and over	35.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	55.9%
Public insurance	45.2%
Uninsured under 19	11.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	27,843	95.9%
Spanish	1,122	4.0%
Other Indo-European	931	3.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	89	0.3%
Other languages	102	0.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	27,516	94.8%
Born in same state	27,260	93.9%
Born in different state	13,614	46.9%
Foreign born	256	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	1,524	5.2%
Not a US citizen	571	37.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	4,341	14.9%
Arab	3,241	11.2%
Italian	3,011	10.4%
English	370	1.3%
Irish	144	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	132	0.5%
Polish	70	0.2%
Dutch	41	0.1%
Norwegian	40	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	46.2%
Internet access	88.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Franklin, NC?

Franklin, NC has one ZIP code: 28734.

What is the main ZIP code for Franklin, NC?

The primary ZIP code for Franklin, NC is 28734. The city uses area code 828 for phone service.

What county is Franklin, NC in?

Franklin is located in Macon County, North Carolina.

How many ZIP codes are in Franklin, NC?

Franklin, NC has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use for mail addressed to downtown Franklin and the Macon County Courthouse area?

Downtown Franklin, including the historic courthouse district, uses ZIP code 28734.

What is the ZIP code for the Franklin area near the Gem & Mineral Museum and Main Street shops?

The Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum and Main Street commercial district are located in ZIP code 28734.