Kitty Hawk ZIP Codes — Dare County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and it is 27949. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

15.17

sq mi land

22.48

sq mi water

252

area code

Kitty Hawk, NC ZIP code map

About Kitty Hawk, NC

Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, is a charming coastal town known for its beautiful beaches and historic significance. Nestled on the Outer Banks, it provides a perfect setting for tourists seeking sun, surf, and a bit of history. Kitty Hawk is renowned as the location where the Wright brothers made their first powered flight in 1903, marking a pivotal moment in aviation history.

Location & geography

Geographically, Kitty Hawk is situated in Dare County and has a unique blend of land and water areas, measuring 15.17 square miles of land and 22.48 square miles of water. Nearby cities include Kill Devil Hills, approximately 3 miles to the south; Nags Head, around 8 miles to the south; and Southern Shores, just 2 miles to the north. The town's terrain features picturesque beaches and maritime forests, offering visitors stunning views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding natural beauty.

Community & economy

The community of Kitty Hawk is characterized by its laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, attracting both residents and tourists who appreciate its coastal charm. It has a diverse economy, with tourism being a significant industry due to its historical landmarks and outdoor recreational activities. Daily life here often involves enjoying outdoor pursuits such as fishing, surfing, and walking along scenic trails.

Transportation

Transportation in Kitty Hawk is accessible via U.S. Route 158, which connects the town to other parts of the Outer Banks. The nearest major airport is the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, located approximately 84 miles away in New Bern. Public transit options are limited, but residents typically rely on private vehicles for getting around.

History

Kitty Hawk was founded in the late 19th century and quickly became known for its sandy beaches and favorable winds, making it a popular spot for early aviators. The town gained international fame after the Wright brothers achieved their first successful airplane flight here in 1903. Since then, Kitty Hawk has celebrated its aviation heritage while developing into a thriving coastal community.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Kitty Hawk is that it is home to the Wright Brothers National Memorial, which commemorates the site of the historic flight. Additionally, the town is often considered the birthplace of modern aviation due to the significance of the Wright brothers' achievements.

ZIP codes for Kitty Hawk, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27949	Kitty Hawk	Dare	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,874

Population

54.8

Median age

$103,429

Median household income

$59,426

Per capita income

$532,600

Median home value

$1,346

Median monthly rent

83.2%

Home ownership

2.7%

Poverty rate

9.1%

Unemployment

8,347

Housing units

50.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

124

Under 5

128

171

5–9

175

235

10–14

240

175

15–19

179

115

20–24

118

314

25–34

322

444

35–44

455

379

45–54

389

374

55–59

384

476

60–64

487

671

65–74

687

343

75–84

352

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,298	16.5%
18 and over	6,576	83.5%
65 and over	2,190	27.8%
Median age	54.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87%

Hispanic or Latino 5%

Two or more races 4.1%

Other race 2.8%

Black or African American 0.7%

Asian 0.3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	7,211	87%
Hispanic or Latino	415	5%
Two or more races	336	4.1%
Other race	234	2.8%
Black or African American	62	0.7%
Asian	23	0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	8	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 1.2%

$10k–$15k 0.8%

$15k–$25k 1.9%

$25k–$35k 3.4%

$35k–$50k 8.1%

$50k–$75k 14.9%

$75k–$100k 17.5%

$100k–$150k 22.0%

$150k–$200k 12.6%

$200k+ 17.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.2%
$10k–$15k	0.8%
$15k–$25k	1.9%
$25k–$35k	3.4%
$35k–$50k	8.1%
$50k–$75k	14.9%
$75k–$100k	17.5%
$100k–$150k	22.0%
$150k–$200k	12.6%
$200k+	17.6%
Median income	$103,429

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 0.5%

$50k–$100k 1.5%

$100k–$150k 0.5%

$150k–$200k 1.6%

$200k–$300k 4.5%

$300k–$500k 37.3%

$500k–$1M 46.2%

$1M+ 7.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$532,600
Median rent / month	$1,346
Owner occupied	83.2%
Renter occupied	16.8%
Vacant	63.0%
Single-family detached	80.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.8%
Mobile homes	0.4%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.44

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	3.4%
2000–2009	19.3%
1990–1999	19.6%
1980–1989	39.3%
1970–1979	11.1%
1960–1969	4.2%
1950–1959	2.3%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	0.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	3.1%
2 bedrooms	15.9%
3 bedrooms	28.1%
4 bedrooms	35.6%
5+ bedrooms	16.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.0%
1 vehicle	22.2%
2 vehicles	49.3%
3 or more	27.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.6%
Electricity	92.3%
Propane / LP gas	4.1%
Fuel oil	0.1%
Wood	0.1%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,316	70.3%
Cohabiting couple	106	3.2%
Male householder, no spouse	383	11.6%
Female householder, no spouse	491	14.9%
Households with children under 18	763	23.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,504	45.6%
Average household size	2.39

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	18.7%	13.6%
Married	72.1%	67.2%
Separated	0.2%	1.3%
Widowed	4.7%	10.6%
Divorced	4.3%	7.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.7%

Some HS, no diploma 1.4%

HS graduate 20.9%

Some college, no degree 19.4%

Associate's degree 7.1%

Bachelor's degree 30.8%

Graduate / professional 19.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	97.9%
Bachelor's or higher	50.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	105	8.2%
Kindergarten	62	4.8%
Elementary school	677	52.8%
High school	298	23.2%
College / grad school	141	11.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.0%

Finance & real estate 13.9%

Professional & management 13.0%

Retail trade 12.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.9%

Construction 10.2%

Other services 5.6%

Manufacturing 4.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.4%

Public administration 3.3%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Agriculture & mining 1.0%

Information 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	49.7%
Service	13.2%
Sales & office	18.4%
Natural resources & construction	9.6%
Production & transportation	9.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.9%
Government	10.7%
Self-employed	12.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.2%
Carpool	4.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.6%
Other means	1.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.8

Poverty

All people 2.7%

Under 18 years 0.5%

18 and over 3.1%

Married-couple families 0.6%

Female-led households 5.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.5%
Retirement income	40.3%
Supplemental Security	2.4%
Cash public assistance	0.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	1.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.5%
High cholesterol	39.0%
Heart disease	6.6%
Stroke	2.7%
Asthma	8.0%
Arthritis	26.6%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	5.6%
Cancer	8.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.0%
No physical activity	16.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	25.6%
Fair or poor health	9.5%
Poor mental health	11.1%
Poor physical health	8.5%
No health insurance	10.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.3%
Visited dentist	76.8%
Cholesterol screening	94.0%
Teeth loss	7.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	682	10.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	8.7%
Under 18	0.5%
18–64 years	5.8%
65 and over	19.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	87.2%
Public insurance	29.4%
Uninsured under 19	3.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,622	96.8%
Spanish	97	1.3%
Other Indo-European	97	1.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,546	95.8%
Born in same state	7,369	93.6%
Born in different state	2,163	27.5%
Foreign born	177	2.2%
Naturalized citizen	328	4.2%
Not a US citizen	115	35.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,468	18.6%
French	1,386	17.6%
Italian	936	11.9%
Dutch	56	0.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	52	0.7%
Irish	47	0.6%
English	35	0.4%
Polish	29	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.9%
Internet access	98.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Kitty Hawk, NC have?

Kitty Hawk, NC has one ZIP code: 27949. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.