Leicester ZIP Codes — Buncombe County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Leicester, North Carolina and it is 28748. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

92.10

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

828

area code

Leicester, NC ZIP code map

About Leicester, NC

Leicester, North Carolina, is a charming community nestled in the beautiful Buncombe County. This small city offers residents and visitors a serene mountain lifestyle, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and a close-knit community. Known for its scenic views and outdoor recreational opportunities, Leicester is a great place for those who appreciate nature and tranquility.

Location & geography

Leicester is conveniently located just 12 miles northwest of Asheville, making it an ideal spot for those who want to enjoy city amenities while living in a more rural setting. The city itself encompasses a vast land area of 92.10 square miles, with no notable water bodies within its boundaries, allowing for plenty of land-based activities. The terrain features rolling hills and beautiful vistas, typical of the Blue Ridge Mountains that dominate the region.

Community & economy

The character of Leicester is defined by its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and a strong sense of community among residents. The local industries predominantly revolve around agriculture and small businesses, providing essential services to local families. Daily life in Leicester is peaceful, marked by community events and outdoor activities that allow residents to enjoy their natural surroundings.

Transportation

Leicester is accessible via several highways, including US Route 63, which connects to the nearby city of Asheville. The city is served by area code 828, covering parts of western North Carolina, and the nearest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, located approximately 25 miles to the southeast. Public transportation options may be limited, so personal vehicles are commonly used for commuting.

History

Leicester was founded in the 19th century and has a rich history tied to agriculture and the expansion of the railroad in the area. Over the years, key industries have included farming and forestry, which remain significant to the local economy today. Notable events in Leicester's history include its growth as a residential community, attracting those looking for a quieter lifestyle away from urban centers.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Leicester is that it has a rich Appalachian cultural heritage, which influences local festivals and traditions. The area is also known for its scenic hiking trails that attract outdoor enthusiasts from neighboring cities.

ZIP codes for Leicester, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28748	Leicester	Buncombe	View map

Demographics & statistics

13,049

Population

39.0

Median age

$60,041

Median household income

$28,383

Per capita income

$265,600

Median home value

$964

Median monthly rent

73.3%

Home ownership

12.3%

Poverty rate

6.1%

Unemployment

3,829

Housing units

19.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

382

Under 5

383

402

5–9

402

389

10–14

390

332

15–19

332

298

20–24

298

958

25–34

959

917

35–44

918

782

45–54

782

654

55–59

654

293

60–64

294

733

65–74

733

256

75–84

256

126

85+

126

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,882	22.1%
18 and over	10,167	77.9%
65 and over	2,230	17.1%
Median age	39.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84%

Two or more races 7.2%

Hispanic or Latino 5%

Black or African American 3.2%

Other race 0.3%

Asian 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	11,547	84%
Two or more races	989	7.2%
Hispanic or Latino	690	5%
Black or African American	441	3.2%
Other race	44	0.3%
Asian	28	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 2.5%

$10k–$15k 4.4%

$15k–$25k 7.6%

$25k–$35k 7.8%

$35k–$50k 19.9%

$50k–$75k 20.9%

$75k–$100k 12.4%

$100k–$150k 15.5%

$150k–$200k 4.4%

$200k+ 4.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.5%
$10k–$15k	4.4%
$15k–$25k	7.6%
$25k–$35k	7.8%
$35k–$50k	19.9%
$50k–$75k	20.9%
$75k–$100k	12.4%
$100k–$150k	15.5%
$150k–$200k	4.4%
$200k+	4.5%
Median income	$60,041

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.7%

$50k–$100k 11.8%

$100k–$150k 9.8%

$150k–$200k 7.7%

$200k–$300k 19.5%

$300k–$500k 31.0%

$500k–$1M 12.8%

$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$265,600
Median rent / month	$964
Owner occupied	73.3%
Renter occupied	26.7%
Vacant	10.9%
Single-family detached	60.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	36.0%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.69

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	11.0%
2000–2009	22.8%
1990–1999	29.1%
1980–1989	13.0%
1970–1979	10.7%
1960–1969	2.8%
1950–1959	2.7%
1940–1949	3.5%
1939 or earlier	4.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.6%
1 bedroom	3.8%
2 bedrooms	22.7%
3 bedrooms	58.4%
4 bedrooms	8.7%
5+ bedrooms	1.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.5%
1 vehicle	23.1%
2 vehicles	40.2%
3 or more	34.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.9%
Electricity	68.4%
Propane / LP gas	9.9%
Fuel oil	12.0%
Wood	7.8%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,323	51.9%
Cohabiting couple	303	6.8%
Male householder, no spouse	847	18.9%
Female householder, no spouse	1,006	22.5%
Households with children under 18	1,303	29.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,507	33.6%
Average household size	2.89

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.7%	31.5%
Married	46.6%	49.2%
Separated	3.7%	1.7%
Widowed	3.7%	6.4%
Divorced	7.2%	11.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.9%

Some HS, no diploma 10.9%

HS graduate 34.5%

Some college, no degree 18.0%

Associate's degree 12.8%

Bachelor's degree 14.9%

Graduate / professional 5.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.2%
Bachelor's or higher	19.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	116	4.1%
Kindergarten	206	7.3%
Elementary school	1,352	48.0%
High school	577	20.5%
College / grad school	568	20.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.4%

Retail trade 13.0%

Construction 12.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.9%

Manufacturing 9.5%

Other services 6.8%

Professional & management 6.1%

Finance & real estate 4.6%

Public administration 4.2%

Transportation & utilities 2.8%

Wholesale trade 2.5%

Agriculture & mining 1.6%

Information 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.4%
Service	17.6%
Sales & office	20.4%
Natural resources & construction	19.1%
Production & transportation	14.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.4%
Government	12.7%
Self-employed	4.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.5%
Carpool	9.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.2%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.9

Poverty

All people 12.3%

Under 18 years 19.1%

18 and over 10.3%

Married-couple families 5.8%

Female-led households 24.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	34.7%
Retirement income	23.6%
Supplemental Security	6.2%
Cash public assistance	0.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.1%
High cholesterol	34.3%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	28.2%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	8.6%
Cancer	6.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.3%
No physical activity	22.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.6%
Fair or poor health	14.8%
Poor mental health	15.2%
Poor physical health	12.0%
No health insurance	18.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.7%
Visited dentist	60.6%
Cholesterol screening	88.9%
Teeth loss	16.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	712	7.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.8%
Under 18	4.3%
18–64 years	12.7%
65 and over	35.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	57.1%
Public insurance	38.3%
Uninsured under 19	4.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	12,284	94.1%
Spanish	475	3.9%
Other Indo-European	453	3.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	18	0.1%
Other languages	4	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	12,640	96.9%
Born in same state	12,568	96.3%
Born in different state	8,379	64.2%
Foreign born	72	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	409	3.1%
Not a US citizen	228	55.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	2,353	18%
Arab	1,500	11.5%
Italian	871	6.7%
Polish	46	0.4%
English	42	0.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	17	0.1%
Dutch	16	0.1%
German	9	0.1%
Irish	9	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	34.3%
Internet access	88.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Leicester, NC have?

Leicester, NC has one ZIP code: 28748. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.