Harkers Island ZIP Codes — Carteret County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Harkers Island, North Carolina and it is 28531. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

2.24

sq mi land

1.61

sq mi water

252

area code

Harkers Island, NC ZIP code map

About Harkers Island, NC

Harkers Island, North Carolina, is a charming coastal community located in Carteret County. Known for its stunning natural beauty and rich maritime history, this locale features a scenic landscape that offers both relaxation and adventure. With a vibrant local culture, Harkers Island attracts visitors and residents alike who appreciate its unique coastal lifestyle.

Location & geography

Situated in the eastern part of North Carolina, Harkers Island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and various waterways. It is conveniently located approximately 15 miles from the town of Beaufort and about 30 miles from Morehead City. The area covers 2.24 square miles of land and includes 1.61 square miles of water, contributing to its picturesque shoreline and natural attractions.

Community & economy

The character of Harkers Island is defined by its friendly and close-knit community, where both locals and visitors gather to enjoy outdoor activities and cultural events. The economy is largely driven by tourism, fishing, and recreational activities, with many residents engaged in industries related to these sectors. Daily life in Harkers Island revolves around fishing, boating, and enjoying the outdoor environment, with numerous parks and waterfront areas available for exploration.

Transportation

Access to Harkers Island is primarily via North Carolina Highway 70, which connects to other regional cities and attractions. The nearest airport is the Michael J. Smith Field Airport, located approximately 10 miles away in Beaufort. Public transit options may be limited, as the area is more suited for personal vehicles and local exploration.

History

Harkers Island was founded in the early 18th century, originally serving as a fishing community and maritime hub. The island has a rich history tied to the fishing and shellfish industries, which have been pivotal in shaping its economic development. Notable events have included the preservation of its unique Gullah culture and the establishment of various local landmarks and heritage sites.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Harkers Island is its proximity to the Cape Lookout National Seashore, a popular destination for nature lovers and historians alike. This area is known for its historic lighthouse and diverse wildlife, making it a key attraction for visitors to the island.

ZIP codes for Harkers Island, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28531	Harkers Island	Carteret	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,104

Population

58.3

Median age

$67,888

Median household income

$31,649

Per capita income

$264,300

Median home value

$1,028

Median monthly rent

80.1%

Home ownership

12.9%

Poverty rate

9.4%

Unemployment

1,065

Housing units

21.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

101

108

65–74

125

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	124	11.2%
18 and over	980	88.8%
65 and over	335	30.3%
Median age	58.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.2%

Black or African American 3.6%

Asian 0.8%

Two or more races 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	1,051	95.2%
Black or African American	40	3.6%
Asian	9	0.8%
Two or more races	4	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 5.7%

$15k–$25k 8.9%

$25k–$35k 3.0%

$35k–$50k 16.5%

$50k–$75k 21.5%

$75k–$100k 12.6%

$100k–$150k 24.3%

$150k–$200k 6.4%

$200k+ 1.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.7%
$15k–$25k	8.9%
$25k–$35k	3.0%
$35k–$50k	16.5%
$50k–$75k	21.5%
$75k–$100k	12.6%
$100k–$150k	24.3%
$150k–$200k	6.4%
$200k+	1.1%
Median income	$67,888

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.3%

$50k–$100k 1.4%

$100k–$150k 13.4%

$150k–$200k 14.9%

$200k–$300k 14.3%

$300k–$500k 35.7%

$500k–$1M 8.0%

$1M+ 2.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$264,300
Median rent / month	$1,028
Owner occupied	80.1%
Renter occupied	19.9%
Vacant	62.1%
Single-family detached	62.7%
Large apartment buildings	0.8%
Mobile homes	36.5%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.15

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.5%
2010–2019	12.4%
2000–2009	12.8%
1990–1999	17.7%
1980–1989	10.7%
1970–1979	24.5%
1960–1969	8.4%
1950–1959	5.6%
1940–1949	1.6%
1939 or earlier	4.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.8%
1 bedroom	5.0%
2 bedrooms	34.5%
3 bedrooms	46.3%
4 bedrooms	12.1%
5+ bedrooms	1.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	28.1%
2 vehicles	40.5%
3 or more	31.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	5.0%
Electricity	68.6%
Propane / LP gas	23.8%
Fuel oil	1.6%
Wood	0.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	306	70.0%
Cohabiting couple	16	3.7%
Male householder, no spouse	29	6.6%
Female householder, no spouse	86	19.7%
Households with children under 18	62	14.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	221	50.6%
Average household size	2.43

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	15.1%	26.9%
Married	70.9%	55.7%
Separated	0.0%	1.1%
Widowed	0.0%	9.6%
Divorced	14.0%	6.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.6%

Some HS, no diploma 12.8%

HS graduate 29.1%

Some college, no degree 28.5%

Associate's degree 7.3%

Bachelor's degree 11.8%

Graduate / professional 10.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	86.7%
Bachelor's or higher	21.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	50	33.6%
High school	22	14.8%
College / grad school	77	51.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.9%

Retail trade 17.1%

Other services 16.8%

Manufacturing 10.6%

Public administration 9.9%

Professional & management 5.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.6%

Construction 4.1%

Finance & real estate 3.5%

Transportation & utilities 2.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.5%
Service	8.8%
Sales & office	20.0%
Natural resources & construction	14.3%
Production & transportation	18.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	69.6%
Government	30.4%
Self-employed	0.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	90.9%
Carpool	1.2%
Public transit	2.4%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.8

Poverty

All people 12.9%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 14.5%

Married-couple families 3.3%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	57.4%
Retirement income	49.0%
Supplemental Security	3.2%
Cash public assistance	3.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.2%
High cholesterol	41.3%
Heart disease	10.0%
Stroke	4.4%
Asthma	9.2%
Arthritis	34.6%
Kidney disease	4.0%
Pulmonary disease	10.3%
Cancer	9.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.6%
No physical activity	24.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.2%
Fair or poor health	16.6%
Poor mental health	13.6%
Poor physical health	13.0%
No health insurance	15.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	80.9%
Visited dentist	64.4%
Cholesterol screening	92.0%
Teeth loss	15.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	92	9.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.9%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	8.4%
65 and over	49.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	79.0%
Public insurance	45.7%
Uninsured under 19	6.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,053	95.4%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,104	100.0%
Born in same state	1,097	99.4%
Born in different state	796	72.1%
Foreign born	7	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	217	19.7%
Italian	146	13.2%
Arab	50	4.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	8	0.7%
English	6	0.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.6%
Internet access	95.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Harkers Island, NC have?

Harkers Island, NC has one ZIP code: 28531. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.