Morehead City ZIP Codes — Carteret County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Morehead City, North Carolina and it is 28557. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

14.19

sq mi land

9.09

sq mi water

252

area code

Morehead City, NC ZIP code map

About Morehead City, NC

Morehead City, North Carolina, is a picturesque coastal town known for its stunning waterfront views and vibrant community. Situated in Carteret County, it serves as a gateway to the Crystal Coast, attracting both residents and visitors alike. The town's charming atmosphere combines beautiful natural scenery with a rich maritime culture.

Location & geography

Morehead City is located at the southern edge of the state of North Carolina, along the Atlantic Ocean. The city is approximately 15 miles away from Beaufort, 25 miles from New Bern, and around 30 miles from Havelock, making it a central hub for nearby areas. Covering a total land area of 14.19 square miles and a water area of 9.09 square miles, Morehead City boasts a diverse terrain that includes beaches, marshlands, and scenic waterways.

Community & economy

The community of Morehead City is characterized by its friendly residents and active participation in local events and festivals. The area's economy is largely driven by tourism, fishing, and other maritime industries, with many residents engaged in professions related to these fields. Daily life in Morehead City is vibrant, filled with opportunities for outdoor recreation, dining, and cultural experiences.

Transportation

Transportation in Morehead City is facilitated by major highways such as U.S. Route 70 and North Carolina Highway 24, which connect the city to larger urban areas. The nearest airport is the Crystal Coast Regional Airport, located just a short distance away, offering convenient access for travelers. Local transit options include shuttles and taxis, making it easy for residents and visitors to navigate the area.

History

Morehead City was founded in the mid-19th century, primarily due to its natural deep-water port, which became a significant asset for trade and shipping. Over the years, the town developed key industries, including fishing and tourism, which continue to thrive today. Notable events in its history include the establishment of the annual Morehead City Marlin and Tuna Fishing Club tournament, showcasing its maritime heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Morehead City is that it is home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, which offers visitors insights into the state's rich nautical history. Additionally, the city hosts the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, attracting anglers from all over the world.

ZIP codes for Morehead City, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28557	Morehead City	Carteret	View map

Demographics & statistics

15,379

Population

49.3

Median age

$62,947

Median household income

$42,971

Per capita income

$304,500

Median home value

$1,071

Median monthly rent

64.0%

Home ownership

10.1%

Poverty rate

3.6%

Unemployment

6,548

Housing units

40.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

332

Under 5

372

377

5–9

422

345

10–14

387

287

15–19

322

305

20–24

341

830

25–34

929

659

35–44

737

1,078

45–54

1,208

407

55–59

455

651

60–64

728

1,073

65–74

1,202

670

75–84

750

242

85+

270

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,607	17.0%
18 and over	12,772	83.0%
65 and over	4,207	27.4%
Median age	49.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84.2%

Two or more races 5.8%

Black or African American 4.7%

Asian 2.1%

Hispanic or Latino 1.9%

Other race 1.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	13,207	84.2%
Two or more races	912	5.8%
Black or African American	738	4.7%
Asian	327	2.1%
Hispanic or Latino	302	1.9%
Other race	177	1.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	12	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.1%

$10k–$15k 3.8%

$15k–$25k 9.2%

$25k–$35k 8.9%

$35k–$50k 12.7%

$50k–$75k 16.9%

$75k–$100k 11.4%

$100k–$150k 16.4%

$150k–$200k 7.3%

$200k+ 7.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.1%
$10k–$15k	3.8%
$15k–$25k	9.2%
$25k–$35k	8.9%
$35k–$50k	12.7%
$50k–$75k	16.9%
$75k–$100k	11.4%
$100k–$150k	16.4%
$150k–$200k	7.3%
$200k+	7.2%
Median income	$62,947

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.8%

$50k–$100k 1.7%

$100k–$150k 3.6%

$150k–$200k 9.6%

$200k–$300k 28.2%

$300k–$500k 33.1%

$500k–$1M 14.6%

$1M+ 3.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$304,500
Median rent / month	$1,071
Owner occupied	64.0%
Renter occupied	36.0%
Vacant	18.0%
Single-family detached	65.3%
Large apartment buildings	6.6%
Mobile homes	5.0%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.17

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.7%
2010–2019	7.6%
2000–2009	18.0%
1990–1999	17.3%
1980–1989	20.2%
1970–1979	11.0%
1960–1969	9.3%
1950–1959	5.3%
1940–1949	4.8%
1939 or earlier	5.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.0%
1 bedroom	5.7%
2 bedrooms	23.5%
3 bedrooms	45.1%
4 bedrooms	19.3%
5+ bedrooms	3.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.0%
1 vehicle	33.2%
2 vehicles	38.7%
3 or more	20.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.4%
Electricity	88.9%
Propane / LP gas	7.3%
Fuel oil	0.7%
Wood	0.1%
Solar	0.1%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,170	41.6%
Cohabiting couple	418	5.5%
Male householder, no spouse	1,468	19.3%
Female householder, no spouse	2,566	33.7%
Households with children under 18	1,578	20.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,055	40.1%
Average household size	1.99

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.4%	20.7%
Married	55.0%	48.6%
Separated	0.8%	2.0%
Widowed	3.0%	14.5%
Divorced	14.7%	14.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.5%

Some HS, no diploma 5.4%

HS graduate 20.0%

Some college, no degree 22.4%

Associate's degree 10.7%

Bachelor's degree 26.0%

Graduate / professional 14.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.1%
Bachelor's or higher	40.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	226	8.3%
Kindergarten	175	6.4%
Elementary school	1,234	45.1%
High school	537	19.6%
College / grad school	565	20.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.2%

Professional & management 11.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.4%

Retail trade 9.8%

Manufacturing 8.3%

Finance & real estate 8.1%

Other services 7.3%

Public administration 5.6%

Construction 5.1%

Transportation & utilities 4.9%

Wholesale trade 2.2%

Information 1.9%

Agriculture & mining 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	43.4%
Service	21.0%
Sales & office	17.9%
Natural resources & construction	6.9%
Production & transportation	10.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.9%
Government	18.8%
Self-employed	9.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.3%
Carpool	6.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.9%
Other means	2.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.8

Poverty

All people 10.1%

Under 18 years 12.1%

18 and over 9.7%

Married-couple families 1.9%

Female-led households 22.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.2%
Retirement income	36.0%
Supplemental Security	4.4%
Cash public assistance	1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.4%
High cholesterol	36.9%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	8.7%
Arthritis	28.6%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	6.9%
Cancer	8.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.7%
No physical activity	20.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.8%
Fair or poor health	12.6%
Poor mental health	12.8%
Poor physical health	10.1%
No health insurance	14.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.9%
Visited dentist	69.3%
Cholesterol screening	91.8%
Teeth loss	11.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,506	11.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.2%
Under 18	4.0%
18–64 years	12.5%
65 and over	35.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	75.0%
Public insurance	42.4%
Uninsured under 19	5.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	14,675	95.4%
Spanish	232	1.6%
Other Indo-European	124	0.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	30	0.2%
Other languages	74	0.5%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	14,803	96.3%
Born in same state	14,648	95.2%
Born in different state	8,145	53.0%
Foreign born	155	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	576	3.7%
Not a US citizen	274	47.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	3,944	25.6%
Italian	1,769	11.5%
Arab	1,170	7.6%
English	282	1.8%
Polish	176	1.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	39	0.3%
Dutch	34	0.2%
Norwegian	26	0.2%
Irish	23	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	49.6%
Internet access	93.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Morehead City, NC have?

Morehead City, NC has one ZIP code: 28557. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.