Manteo ZIP Codes — Dare County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Manteo, North Carolina and it is 27954. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

8.85

sq mi land

4.79

sq mi water

252

area code

Manteo, NC ZIP code map

About Manteo, NC

Manteo is a charming town located in Dare County, North Carolina, offering a unique blend of coastal beauty and rich cultural heritage. Known for its picturesque waterfront, Manteo serves as the county seat and is a hub for visitors exploring the Outer Banks. The town showcases a vibrant community with a variety of attractions, making it a beloved destination for both residents and tourists alike.

Location & geography

Manteo is positioned on Roanoke Island, surrounded by the expansive waters of the Albemarle Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby cities include Nags Head, located approximately 9 miles to the southeast, Kill Devil Hills about 11 miles to the south, and Southern Shores, which lies around 14 miles to the south. The town covers a land area of 8.85 square miles, with an additional 4.79 square miles of water, highlighting its coastal terrain.

Community & economy

Manteo is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of community, with local events often showcasing the arts, history, and culture of the area. The economy is primarily driven by tourism, with many visitors attracted to its historical sites, beautiful beaches, and outdoor recreational activities. Daily life in Manteo includes enjoying the scenic waterfront, participating in local festivals, and supporting small businesses that reflect the town's unique charm.

Transportation

Manteo is accessible via North Carolina Highway 64, which connects it to other parts of the Outer Banks region. The nearest airport is the Dare County Regional Airport, providing convenient travel options for both locals and visitors. Public transportation options are limited, but the local community is well-connected through roads and ferry services.

History

Manteo was founded in the late 16th century and is named after the Native American leader during Sir Walter Raleigh's attempts to colonize the area. The town has a rich maritime tradition and has historically been centered around the fishing industry, as well as tourism. Notable events in Manteo's history include the annual Roanoke Island Festival Park, which celebrates the local heritage and the story of the Lost Colony.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Manteo is that it is home to the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, which brings education and awareness about marine life to visitors. Additionally, the town is often recognized for its connection to the famous Lost Colony, one of America's oldest unsolved mysteries.

ZIP codes for Manteo, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27954	Manteo	Dare	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,937

Population

41.0

Median age

$75,877

Median household income

$41,805

Per capita income

$360,000

Median home value

$1,236

Median monthly rent

76.8%

Home ownership

9.1%

Poverty rate

1.9%

Unemployment

2,867

Housing units

42.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

199

Under 5

203

271

5–9

276

209

10–14

213

304

15–19

308

20–24

334

25–34

339

485

35–44

492

442

45–54

450

130

55–59

132

256

60–64

260

425

65–74

432

244

75–84

247

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,845	26.6%
18 and over	5,092	73.4%
65 and over	1,445	20.8%
Median age	41.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 75.5%

Black or African American 11.9%

Hispanic or Latino 5.3%

Other race 4.1%

Two or more races 2.6%

Asian 0.6%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	5,529	75.5%
Black or African American	869	11.9%
Hispanic or Latino	387	5.3%
Other race	298	4.1%
Two or more races	192	2.6%
Asian	41	0.6%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	7	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.0%

$10k–$15k 2.5%

$15k–$25k 3.0%

$25k–$35k 8.5%

$35k–$50k 9.9%

$50k–$75k 20.1%

$75k–$100k 22.4%

$100k–$150k 12.9%

$150k–$200k 4.0%

$200k+ 12.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.0%
$10k–$15k	2.5%
$15k–$25k	3.0%
$25k–$35k	8.5%
$35k–$50k	9.9%
$50k–$75k	20.1%
$75k–$100k	22.4%
$100k–$150k	12.9%
$150k–$200k	4.0%
$200k+	12.8%
Median income	$75,877

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.5%

$50k–$100k 3.7%

$100k–$150k 1.2%

$150k–$200k 2.6%

$200k–$300k 28.9%

$300k–$500k 37.5%

$500k–$1M 18.4%

$1M+ 4.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$360,000
Median rent / month	$1,236
Owner occupied	76.8%
Renter occupied	23.2%
Vacant	19.7%
Single-family detached	66.5%
Large apartment buildings	1.5%
Mobile homes	9.5%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.39

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.6%
2010–2019	11.5%
2000–2009	23.6%
1990–1999	19.0%
1980–1989	22.3%
1970–1979	9.3%
1960–1969	3.8%
1950–1959	1.4%
1940–1949	1.5%
1939 or earlier	6.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.3%
1 bedroom	2.4%
2 bedrooms	20.2%
3 bedrooms	54.2%
4 bedrooms	19.8%
5+ bedrooms	3.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.4%
1 vehicle	29.7%
2 vehicles	45.2%
3 or more	22.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.1%
Electricity	92.8%
Propane / LP gas	6.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,384	48.9%
Cohabiting couple	200	7.1%
Male householder, no spouse	490	17.3%
Female householder, no spouse	757	26.7%
Households with children under 18	959	33.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,048	37.0%
Average household size	2.43

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.2%	21.4%
Married	52.7%	50.6%
Separated	0.8%	2.7%
Widowed	3.8%	12.2%
Divorced	10.5%	13.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.3%

Some HS, no diploma 3.9%

HS graduate 21.8%

Some college, no degree 19.2%

Associate's degree 11.2%

Bachelor's degree 27.8%

Graduate / professional 14.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.8%
Bachelor's or higher	42.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	24	1.3%
Kindergarten	266	13.9%
Elementary school	794	41.4%
High school	460	24.0%
College / grad school	374	19.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 18.1%

Professional & management 13.1%

Retail trade 12.3%

Construction 9.0%

Finance & real estate 5.9%

Transportation & utilities 5.1%

Public administration 4.8%

Agriculture & mining 4.7%

Other services 3.9%

Manufacturing 2.0%

Wholesale trade 0.3%

Information 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	44.6%
Service	20.1%
Sales & office	15.0%
Natural resources & construction	16.0%
Production & transportation	4.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	68.5%
Government	20.0%
Self-employed	11.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.8%
Carpool	12.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.1%
Other means	2.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.3

Poverty

All people 9.1%

Under 18 years 13.3%

18 and over 7.6%

Married-couple families 3.6%

Female-led households 27.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	35.6%
Retirement income	33.9%
Supplemental Security	1.5%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.3%
High cholesterol	36.2%
Heart disease	6.7%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	26.3%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.0%
Cancer	6.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.7%
No physical activity	22.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.8%
Fair or poor health	13.6%
Poor mental health	13.8%
Poor physical health	10.7%
No health insurance	17.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.6%
Visited dentist	67.2%
Cholesterol screening	91.0%
Teeth loss	12.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	493	9.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.7%
Under 18	2.1%
18–64 years	6.7%
65 and over	27.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.3%
Public insurance	31.8%
Uninsured under 19	12.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,535	94.2%
Spanish	230	3.5%
Other Indo-European	227	3.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	3	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	6,551	94.4%
Born in same state	6,351	91.6%
Born in different state	3,425	49.4%
Foreign born	200	2.9%
Naturalized citizen	386	5.6%
Not a US citizen	179	46.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,607	23.2%
Arab	1,051	15.2%
Italian	362	5.2%
English	88	1.3%
Polish	49	0.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	22	0.3%
German	13	0.2%
Irish	7	0.1%
Norwegian	3	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.8%
Internet access	95.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Manteo, NC have?

Manteo, NC has one ZIP code: 27954. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.