Jefferson ZIP Codes — Ashe County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Jefferson, North Carolina and it is 28640. Area code: 336.

ZIP codes

37.06

sq mi land

0.48

sq mi water

336

area code

Jefferson, NC ZIP code map

About Jefferson, NC

Jefferson is a charming city located in Ashe County, North Carolina. Known for its picturesque landscapes and friendly community, Jefferson offers a quaint small-town atmosphere. Its unique blend of outdoor activities and local culture makes it a delightful destination for visitors and residents alike.

Location & geography

Situated in the northwestern part of North Carolina, Jefferson is surrounded by the stunning Appalachian Mountains. Nearby cities include West Jefferson, approximately 5 miles away, and Sparta, located about 15 miles to the southwest. The city spans a land area of 37.06 square miles, with a water area of 0.48 square miles, providing a mix of rolling hills and serene waterways.

Community & economy

Jefferson has a close-knit community characterized by its warm hospitality and strong local traditions. The economy is primarily supported by tourism and agriculture, with residents often engaging in outdoor sports and arts crafts. Daily life in Jefferson revolves around community events, local shops, and enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds the area.

Transportation

Access to Jefferson is facilitated by North Carolina Highway 221, which runs through the town and connects it to neighboring cities. The closest major airport is Wilkes County Airport, located about 30 miles to the southwest. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of travel for residents.

History

Jefferson was founded in the early 19th century and has since evolved into a regional hub for trade and commerce. The area's natural resources have historically supported industries such as timber and agriculture, contributing to its growth. Notable events in Jefferson's history include its designation as the Ashe County seat in 1802, which solidified its importance in the region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Jefferson is that it lies within proximity to some of the best hiking trails in North Carolina, including sections of the Appalachian Trail. Additionally, Jefferson is home to some historical architecture that reflects its rich past, including various preserved buildings from the 1800s.

ZIP codes for Jefferson, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28640	Jefferson	Ashe	View map

Demographics & statistics

5,074

Population

48.6

Median age

$48,417

Median household income

$27,348

Per capita income

$212,800

Median home value

$671

Median monthly rent

70.0%

Home ownership

17.9%

Poverty rate

4.3%

Unemployment

2,192

Housing units

17.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

160

10–14

155

171

15–19

166

118

20–24

115

286

25–34

279

274

35–44

267

45–54

261

215

55–59

209

217

60–64

211

414

65–74

403

224

75–84

218

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	819	16.1%
18 and over	4,255	83.9%
65 and over	1,405	27.7%
Median age	48.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.8%

Two or more races 3.5%

Hispanic or Latino 2.2%

Black or African American 2.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	4,764	91.8%
Two or more races	184	3.5%
Hispanic or Latino	113	2.2%
Black or African American	110	2.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	16	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 7.7%

$10k–$15k 6.7%

$15k–$25k 9.7%

$25k–$35k 13.4%

$35k–$50k 14.8%

$50k–$75k 17.5%

$75k–$100k 15.3%

$100k–$150k 7.3%

$150k–$200k 4.0%

$200k+ 3.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.7%
$10k–$15k	6.7%
$15k–$25k	9.7%
$25k–$35k	13.4%
$35k–$50k	14.8%
$50k–$75k	17.5%
$75k–$100k	15.3%
$100k–$150k	7.3%
$150k–$200k	4.0%
$200k+	3.7%
Median income	$48,417

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.5%

$50k–$100k 12.2%

$100k–$150k 17.1%

$150k–$200k 11.9%

$200k–$300k 24.5%

$300k–$500k 18.5%

$500k–$1M 9.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$212,800
Median rent / month	$671
Owner occupied	70.0%
Renter occupied	30.0%
Vacant	25.7%
Single-family detached	62.5%
Large apartment buildings	5.8%
Mobile homes	10.5%
Median rooms	5.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.48

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	8.0%
2000–2009	15.6%
1990–1999	18.7%
1980–1989	12.5%
1970–1979	18.5%
1960–1969	12.8%
1950–1959	9.2%
1940–1949	1.4%
1939 or earlier	3.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	6.8%
2 bedrooms	35.2%
3 bedrooms	36.7%
4 bedrooms	15.8%
5+ bedrooms	5.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.2%
1 vehicle	19.2%
2 vehicles	46.6%
3 or more	26.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.1%
Electricity	67.0%
Propane / LP gas	10.0%
Fuel oil	14.1%
Wood	5.7%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,167	55.7%
Cohabiting couple	117	5.6%
Male householder, no spouse	333	15.9%
Female householder, no spouse	480	22.9%
Households with children under 18	398	19.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	866	41.3%
Average household size	2.30

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.2%	15.4%
Married	58.8%	55.8%
Separated	3.1%	5.1%
Widowed	4.8%	10.1%
Divorced	5.2%	13.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.8%

Some HS, no diploma 10.4%

HS graduate 29.4%

Some college, no degree 21.5%

Associate's degree 16.4%

Bachelor's degree 11.8%

Graduate / professional 5.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	84.8%
Bachelor's or higher	17.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	67	7.5%
Kindergarten	29	3.3%
Elementary school	376	42.3%
High school	307	34.6%
College / grad school	109	12.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Retail trade 16.5%

Education & healthcare 16.3%

Manufacturing 12.7%

Construction 11.5%

Finance & real estate 9.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.1%

Professional & management 8.0%

Agriculture & mining 6.2%

Other services 4.9%

Wholesale trade 2.8%

Information 2.1%

Transportation & utilities 0.8%

Public administration 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	21.5%
Service	17.7%
Sales & office	25.4%
Natural resources & construction	18.4%
Production & transportation	16.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	87.8%
Government	3.7%
Self-employed	5.8%
Unpaid family workers	2.6%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	71.4%
Carpool	12.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.9%
Other means	0.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.2

Poverty

All people 17.9%

Under 18 years 21.1%

18 and over 17.3%

Married-couple families 3.5%

Female-led households 42.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.1%
Retirement income	20.3%
Supplemental Security	4.0%
Cash public assistance	1.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.3%
High cholesterol	38.3%
Heart disease	9.2%
Stroke	4.3%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	31.9%
Kidney disease	3.8%
Pulmonary disease	9.5%
Cancer	8.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.0%
No physical activity	25.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.7%
Fair or poor health	16.9%
Poor mental health	14.2%
Poor physical health	12.7%
No health insurance	19.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.8%
Visited dentist	62.8%
Cholesterol screening	89.9%
Teeth loss	17.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	260	6.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.6%
Under 18	1.8%
18–64 years	14.9%
65 and over	26.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.9%
Public insurance	44.1%
Uninsured under 19	5.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,954	97.6%
Spanish	181	3.7%
Other Indo-European	181	3.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,873	96.0%
Born in same state	4,853	95.6%
Born in different state	3,600	70.9%
Foreign born	20	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	201	4.0%
Not a US citizen	50	24.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	2,163	42.6%
French	461	9.1%
Italian	345	6.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	53	1%
Polish	20	0.4%
Norwegian	7	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.3%
Internet access	84.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Jefferson, NC have?

Jefferson, NC has one ZIP code: 28640. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.