Hudson ZIP Codes — Caldwell County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Hudson, North Carolina and it is 28638. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

19.97

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

828

area code

Hudson, NC ZIP code map

About Hudson, NC

Hudson is a charming city located in Caldwell County, North Carolina. Known for its small-town atmosphere, Hudson offers a friendly community and beautiful scenic views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. This city serves as a peaceful retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of larger urban areas.

Location & geography

Situated in the western part of North Carolina, Hudson is approximately 70 miles northwest of Charlotte, NC. The nearby cities include Lenoir, just 6 miles to the southwest, Boone, about 22 miles to the northwest, and Hickory, which is roughly 20 miles to the east. The city spans a land area of 19.97 square miles, with no significant water bodies within its boundaries.

Community & economy

Hudson prides itself on its close-knit community, where neighbors know each other by name and local events are well-attended. The economy is supported by a mix of industries, including manufacturing and retail, which provide ample job opportunities for residents. Daily life in Hudson often involves participating in community activities and enjoying the diverse outdoor recreational options available in the nearby mountains.

Transportation

Major highways, including U.S. Route 321, provide convenient access to and from Hudson, making travel to neighboring cities straightforward. The nearest significant airport is the Hickory Regional Airport located roughly 20 miles to the east. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of travel for residents.

History

Hudson was founded originally as a railroad town, which played a crucial role in its early development and economic growth. The city's growth was largely supported by its manufacturing industries, which have shaped its community and culture over the years. Key events in Hudson's history include its incorporation in the early 20th century, which allowed for its growth into the vibrant city it is today.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Hudson is that it is home to the renowned Caldwell Arts Council, which promotes local artists and hosts a variety of cultural events. Additionally, the city is also notable for its proximity to outdoor attractions, including nearby state parks and the picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway.

ZIP codes for Hudson, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28638	Hudson	Caldwell	View map

Demographics & statistics

11,630

Population

39.0

Median age

$49,489

Median household income

$25,165

Per capita income

$154,600

Median home value

$692

Median monthly rent

73.1%

Home ownership

17.9%

Poverty rate

3.6%

Unemployment

3,799

Housing units

16.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

331

Under 5

331

356

5–9

355

298

10–14

297

397

15–19

395

437

20–24

435

772

25–34

770

699

35–44

696

754

45–54

751

420

55–59

419

413

60–64

412

568

65–74

566

294

75–84

294

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,480	21.3%
18 and over	9,150	78.7%
65 and over	1,892	16.3%
Median age	39.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.8%

Two or more races 3.8%

Hispanic or Latino 2.4%

Black or African American 1%

Other race 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	10,942	91.8%
Two or more races	458	3.8%
Hispanic or Latino	288	2.4%
Black or African American	125	1%
Other race	98	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	7	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.0%

$10k–$15k 9.4%

$15k–$25k 15.5%

$25k–$35k 9.4%

$35k–$50k 11.3%

$50k–$75k 17.7%

$75k–$100k 11.1%

$100k–$150k 16.9%

$150k–$200k 2.3%

$200k+ 1.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.0%
$10k–$15k	9.4%
$15k–$25k	15.5%
$25k–$35k	9.4%
$35k–$50k	11.3%
$50k–$75k	17.7%
$75k–$100k	11.1%
$100k–$150k	16.9%
$150k–$200k	2.3%
$200k+	1.5%
Median income	$49,489

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.9%

$50k–$100k 9.9%

$100k–$150k 32.6%

$150k–$200k 25.2%

$200k–$300k 20.0%

$300k–$500k 6.0%

$500k–$1M 0.8%

$1M+ 0.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$154,600
Median rent / month	$692
Owner occupied	73.1%
Renter occupied	26.9%
Vacant	9.8%
Single-family detached	74.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.2%
Mobile homes	14.4%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.57

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	2.7%
2000–2009	8.8%
1990–1999	18.7%
1980–1989	21.2%
1970–1979	20.1%
1960–1969	15.3%
1950–1959	8.0%
1940–1949	3.7%
1939 or earlier	1.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	6.2%
2 bedrooms	25.1%
3 bedrooms	59.1%
4 bedrooms	7.3%
5+ bedrooms	2.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.6%
1 vehicle	27.5%
2 vehicles	37.6%
3 or more	30.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	11.6%
Electricity	76.9%
Propane / LP gas	2.9%
Fuel oil	4.7%
Wood	2.6%
Solar	0.1%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,080	46.0%
Cohabiting couple	195	4.3%
Male householder, no spouse	686	15.2%
Female householder, no spouse	1,564	34.6%
Households with children under 18	1,637	36.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,429	31.6%
Average household size	2.57

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	36.1%	23.7%
Married	49.8%	45.9%
Separated	1.7%	2.4%
Widowed	3.0%	13.2%
Divorced	9.4%	14.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.3%

Some HS, no diploma 13.1%

HS graduate 31.4%

Some college, no degree 25.0%

Associate's degree 9.7%

Bachelor's degree 11.4%

Graduate / professional 5.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	82.6%
Bachelor's or higher	16.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	126	5.0%
Kindergarten	102	4.1%
Elementary school	1,037	41.5%
High school	604	24.2%
College / grad school	629	25.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 22.0%

Education & healthcare 19.5%

Retail trade 14.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.3%

Construction 6.1%

Other services 6.0%

Professional & management 5.7%

Transportation & utilities 4.8%

Wholesale trade 3.7%

Public administration 3.7%

Finance & real estate 3.0%

Information 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	24.4%
Service	18.1%
Sales & office	21.1%
Natural resources & construction	6.8%
Production & transportation	29.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.9%
Government	15.3%
Self-employed	4.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.1%
Carpool	17.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.4%
Other means	2.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.2

Poverty

All people 17.9%

Under 18 years 23.5%

18 and over 16.4%

Married-couple families 11.9%

Female-led households 34.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.4%
Retirement income	22.6%
Supplemental Security	6.2%
Cash public assistance	0.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.3%
High cholesterol	36.5%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	9.7%
Arthritis	28.0%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	8.8%
Cancer	6.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.0%
No physical activity	23.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.0%
Fair or poor health	16.0%
Poor mental health	15.6%
Poor physical health	12.3%
No health insurance	19.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.7%
Visited dentist	58.9%
Cholesterol screening	88.5%
Teeth loss	16.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	489	5.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.4%
Under 18	11.9%
18–64 years	17.5%
65 and over	36.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.2%
Public insurance	36.6%
Uninsured under 19	0.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	10,968	94.3%
Spanish	165	1.5%
Other Indo-European	142	1.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	23	0.2%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	11,286	97.0%
Born in same state	11,213	96.4%
Born in different state	9,029	77.6%
Foreign born	73	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	344	3.0%
Not a US citizen	132	38.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	2,178	18.7%
French	1,610	13.8%
Italian	1,295	11.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	384	3.3%
English	205	1.8%
Irish	16	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.9%
Internet access	88.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Hudson, NC have?

Hudson, NC has one ZIP code: 28638. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.