Kill Devil Hills ZIP Codes — Dare County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina and it is 27948. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

9.26

sq mi land

6.14

sq mi water

252

area code

Kill Devil Hills, NC ZIP code map

About Kill Devil Hills, NC

Kill Devil Hills, NC, is a coastal town located in Dare County, North Carolina. It is known for its beautiful beaches and rich history related to aviation. The city is a popular vacation destination that attracts visitors from all over the country.

Location & geography

Kill Devil Hills sits on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Nearby cities include Nags Head, roughly 3.5 miles to the south, Kitty Hawk approximately 2 miles to the north, and Manteo located about 8.5 miles to the southwest. The town has a total land area of 9.26 square miles and a water area of 6.14 square miles, showcasing a blend of sandy shores and maritime landscapes.

Community & economy

The character of Kill Devil Hills is casual and laid-back, offering a welcoming atmosphere for both residents and visitors. The local economy thrives primarily on tourism, with many businesses catering to beachgoers and outdoor enthusiasts. Daily life in the town often revolves around outdoor activities, including fishing, water sports, and enjoying the stunning ocean views.

Transportation

Kill Devil Hills is accessible via U.S. Route 158, which runs along the Outer Banks and connects the town to neighboring cities. The nearest major airport is the Wright Brothers National Memorial Airport, providing services to both residents and tourists. Public transit is limited, but seasonal shuttle services often operate during peak tourist seasons.

History

Kill Devil Hills was historically significant as the site of the Wright brothers' first powered flight in 1903, marking a pivotal moment in aviation history. The town's development was largely influenced by the tourism industry, spurred by its picturesque beaches and historical significance. Today, it commemorates its legacy with the Wright Brothers National Memorial, drawing visitors interested in both history and aviation.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Kill Devil Hills is that its name is derived from a local legend involving devilish pirate activity and the hills that lit up at night from shipwrecks. Additionally, the area is home to the popular Lost Colony outdoor drama, which adds a cultural flair to this historic town.

ZIP codes for Kill Devil Hills, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27948	Kill Devil Hills	Dare	View map

Demographics & statistics

12,579

Population

47.8

Median age

$78,517

Median household income

$42,159

Per capita income

$341,800

Median home value

$1,442

Median monthly rent

76.0%

Home ownership

6.7%

Poverty rate

5.9%

Unemployment

8,780

Housing units

40.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

292

Under 5

304

227

5–9

236

297

10–14

309

280

15–19

291

404

20–24

419

515

25–34

534

757

35–44

787

1,144

45–54

1,188

598

55–59

620

557

60–64

578

760

65–74

790

284

75–84

294

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,964	15.6%
18 and over	10,615	84.4%
65 and over	2,242	17.8%
Median age	47.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 79.3%

Hispanic or Latino 8.6%

Two or more races 6.6%

Other race 3.6%

Black or African American 1%

Asian 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	10,915	79.3%
Hispanic or Latino	1,178	8.6%
Two or more races	913	6.6%
Other race	502	3.6%
Black or African American	138	1%
Asian	88	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	23	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 1.5%

$10k–$15k 3.2%

$15k–$25k 4.1%

$25k–$35k 6.6%

$35k–$50k 9.6%

$50k–$75k 22.8%

$75k–$100k 12.4%

$100k–$150k 23.2%

$150k–$200k 9.7%

$200k+ 6.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.5%
$10k–$15k	3.2%
$15k–$25k	4.1%
$25k–$35k	6.6%
$35k–$50k	9.6%
$50k–$75k	22.8%
$75k–$100k	12.4%
$100k–$150k	23.2%
$150k–$200k	9.7%
$200k+	6.9%
Median income	$78,517

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.9%

$50k–$100k 2.4%

$100k–$150k 1.6%

$150k–$200k 9.2%

$200k–$300k 24.9%

$300k–$500k 40.4%

$500k–$1M 18.9%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$341,800
Median rent / month	$1,442
Owner occupied	76.0%
Renter occupied	24.0%
Vacant	46.3%
Single-family detached	82.4%
Large apartment buildings	3.7%
Mobile homes	2.0%
Median rooms	4.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.39

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	6.4%
2000–2009	15.9%
1990–1999	12.5%
1980–1989	33.8%
1970–1979	19.2%
1960–1969	6.5%
1950–1959	3.5%
1940–1949	1.1%
1939 or earlier	1.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	2.7%
2 bedrooms	21.4%
3 bedrooms	50.5%
4 bedrooms	20.9%
5+ bedrooms	3.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.0%
1 vehicle	26.9%
2 vehicles	40.5%
3 or more	31.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.5%
Electricity	94.5%
Propane / LP gas	2.1%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,479	45.8%
Cohabiting couple	722	13.3%
Male householder, no spouse	1,050	19.4%
Female householder, no spouse	1,161	21.5%
Households with children under 18	1,139	21.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,845	34.1%
Average household size	2.32

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.6%	25.9%
Married	49.6%	50.1%
Separated	1.2%	2.0%
Widowed	2.1%	6.1%
Divorced	15.5%	16.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.5%

Some HS, no diploma 3.5%

HS graduate 18.0%

Some college, no degree 24.8%

Associate's degree 11.8%

Bachelor's degree 25.7%

Graduate / professional 14.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.9%
Bachelor's or higher	40.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	254	10.8%
Kindergarten	22	0.9%
Elementary school	1,010	43.0%
High school	417	17.7%
College / grad school	648	27.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Arts, food & hospitality 17.4%

Professional & management 15.8%

Education & healthcare 14.2%

Construction 13.2%

Retail trade 13.1%

Manufacturing 6.3%

Finance & real estate 6.1%

Other services 4.1%

Public administration 3.7%

Transportation & utilities 3.0%

Agriculture & mining 1.7%

Wholesale trade 1.2%

Information 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	37.2%
Service	16.2%
Sales & office	23.8%
Natural resources & construction	12.1%
Production & transportation	10.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.7%
Government	13.3%
Self-employed	12.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.6%
Carpool	6.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.0%
Other means	1.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.0

Poverty

All people 6.7%

Under 18 years 4.6%

18 and over 7.1%

Married-couple families 0.4%

Female-led households 6.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	33.8%
Retirement income	24.6%
Supplemental Security	1.8%
Cash public assistance	1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	30.0%
High cholesterol	32.9%
Heart disease	5.4%
Stroke	2.4%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	22.3%
Kidney disease	2.4%
Pulmonary disease	5.6%
Cancer	6.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.1%
No physical activity	18.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.1%
Fair or poor health	10.7%
Poor mental health	13.8%
Poor physical health	9.1%
No health insurance	15.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.3%
Visited dentist	70.3%
Cholesterol screening	90.1%
Teeth loss	10.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	763	7.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.6%
Under 18	3.7%
18–64 years	10.2%
65 and over	18.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.4%
Public insurance	27.2%
Uninsured under 19	10.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	11,983	95.3%
Spanish	279	2.3%
Other Indo-European	185	1.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	22	0.2%
Other languages	72	0.6%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	11,991	95.3%
Born in same state	11,647	92.6%
Born in different state	3,491	27.8%
Foreign born	344	2.7%
Naturalized citizen	588	4.7%
Not a US citizen	285	48.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	2,083	16.6%
Italian	2,038	16.2%
Arab	1,782	14.2%
German	137	1.1%
English	54	0.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	46	0.4%
Dutch	46	0.4%
Irish	28	0.2%
Norwegian	17	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.0%
Internet access	98.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Kill Devil Hills, NC have?

Kill Devil Hills, NC has one ZIP code: 27948. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.