Hays ZIP Codes — Wilkes County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Hays, North Carolina and it is 28635. Area code: 336.

ZIP codes

56.75

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

336

area code

Hays, NC ZIP code map

About Hays, NC

Hays, North Carolina, is a quaint and welcoming community nestled in Wilkes County. This small town exhibits a charming atmosphere that reflects the rich heritage of the region. With a unique blend of rural life and southern hospitality, Hays serves as a peaceful refuge for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Hays is located in the northwestern part of North Carolina, offering a serene landscape of rolling hills and rural scenery. It is approximately 10 miles southwest of the larger town of Wilkesboro and about 15 miles from North Wilkesboro. Covering a land area of 56.75 square miles, Hays has no significant bodies of water within its borders.

Community & economy

The character of Hays is defined by its strong sense of community and the friendliness of its residents. Predominantly an agricultural town, local industries revolve around farming, contributing to the area's rural charm and economy. Daily life in Hays offers a slower pace, allowing families to enjoy local events and gatherings that strengthen community bonds.

Transportation

Hays is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 421, which connects it to neighboring towns and cities. The nearest airport for commercial flights is the Wilkes County Airport, located approximately 12 miles away. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of travel.

History

Hays was founded in the 19th century and has historically been known for its agricultural roots and rural lifestyle. Over the years, the town has maintained its focus on farming and local businesses, which continue to define its economic landscape. Notable events in its history include the establishment of local fairs and agricultural exhibitions that celebrate its farming heritage.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Hays is that it has only one ZIP code, 28635, which denotes its unique identity within Wilkes County. Additionally, despite its small size, Hays is an important waypoint for travelers exploring the region's rich natural resources and cultural heritage.

ZIP codes for Hays, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28635	Hays	Wilkes	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,346

Population

55.5

Median age

$41,123

Median household income

$24,867

Per capita income

$120,300

Median home value

$854

Median monthly rent

91.6%

Home ownership

13.3%

Poverty rate

1.8%

Unemployment

1,579

Housing units

6.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

105

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

175

35–44

160

154

45–54

141

186

55–59

169

248

60–64

227

266

65–74

242

150

75–84

137

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	616	18.4%
18 and over	2,730	81.6%
65 and over	900	26.9%
Median age	55.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84.2%

Hispanic or Latino 6.9%

Two or more races 6.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%

Black or African American 0.9%

Other race 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	3,024	84.2%
Hispanic or Latino	247	6.9%
Two or more races	235	6.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	40	1.1%
Black or African American	33	0.9%
Other race	14	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 3.1%

$10k–$15k 6.3%

$15k–$25k 9.5%

$25k–$35k 11.5%

$35k–$50k 26.3%

$50k–$75k 14.7%

$75k–$100k 17.5%

$100k–$150k 7.5%

$150k–$200k 3.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.1%
$10k–$15k	6.3%
$15k–$25k	9.5%
$25k–$35k	11.5%
$35k–$50k	26.3%
$50k–$75k	14.7%
$75k–$100k	17.5%
$100k–$150k	7.5%
$150k–$200k	3.7%
Median income	$41,123

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 20.7%

$50k–$100k 15.9%

$100k–$150k 31.0%

$150k–$200k 13.9%

$200k–$300k 14.6%

$300k–$500k 1.4%

$500k–$1M 2.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$120,300
Median rent / month	$854
Owner occupied	91.6%
Renter occupied	8.4%
Vacant	15.8%
Single-family detached	65.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	34.4%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.25

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.9%
2010–2019	4.3%
2000–2009	9.2%
1990–1999	31.3%
1980–1989	14.1%
1970–1979	22.1%
1960–1969	6.5%
1950–1959	1.7%
1940–1949	4.9%
1939 or earlier	5.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	0.0%
2 bedrooms	31.8%
3 bedrooms	56.6%
4 bedrooms	9.8%
5+ bedrooms	1.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.6%
1 vehicle	27.6%
2 vehicles	34.5%
3 or more	31.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.5%
Electricity	54.4%
Propane / LP gas	14.7%
Fuel oil	5.8%
Wood	18.9%
No fuel used	1.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	993	69.4%
Cohabiting couple	25	1.7%
Male householder, no spouse	190	13.3%
Female householder, no spouse	223	15.6%
Households with children under 18	427	29.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	629	44.0%
Average household size	2.34

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	9.1%	12.0%
Married	76.2%	74.2%
Separated	0.0%	3.0%
Widowed	4.3%	8.1%
Divorced	10.4%	2.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 9.4%

Some HS, no diploma 16.4%

HS graduate 34.5%

Some college, no degree 21.4%

Associate's degree 11.7%

Bachelor's degree 3.9%

Graduate / professional 2.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	74.1%
Bachelor's or higher	6.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	43	8.2%
Kindergarten	49	9.4%
Elementary school	298	57.0%
High school	81	15.5%
College / grad school	52	9.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 35.3%

Education & healthcare 19.0%

Other services 13.7%

Retail trade 7.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.6%

Professional & management 4.7%

Wholesale trade 3.5%

Agriculture & mining 3.2%

Public administration 3.0%

Information 2.4%

Finance & real estate 1.4%

Construction 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.4%
Service	17.3%
Sales & office	18.4%
Natural resources & construction	13.1%
Production & transportation	19.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.8%
Government	7.0%
Self-employed	12.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	86.9%
Carpool	4.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.2

Poverty

All people 13.3%

Under 18 years 24.4%

18 and over 11.0%

Married-couple families 3.4%

Female-led households 100.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	48.8%
Retirement income	27.1%
Supplemental Security	7.5%
Cash public assistance	4.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.7%
High cholesterol	37.4%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	10.1%
Arthritis	29.7%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	10.7%
Cancer	6.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.8%
No physical activity	28.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.7%
Fair or poor health	19.0%
Poor mental health	16.8%
Poor physical health	14.0%
No health insurance	20.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.4%
Visited dentist	57.2%
Cholesterol screening	87.2%
Teeth loss	21.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	164	6.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.2%
Under 18	4.4%
18–64 years	9.6%
65 and over	49.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.6%
Public insurance	50.9%
Uninsured under 19	1.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,166	94.6%
Spanish	9	0.3%
Other Indo-European	9	0.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,219	96.2%
Born in same state	3,219	96.2%
Born in different state	2,887	86.3%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	127	3.8%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	591	17.7%
French	309	9.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	294	8.8%
Polish	94	2.8%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.8%
Internet access	84.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Hays, NC have?

Hays, NC has one ZIP code: 28635. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.