Nebo ZIP Codes — Mcdowell County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Nebo, North Carolina and it is 28761. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

103.78

sq mi land

7.16

sq mi water

828

area code

Nebo, NC ZIP code map

About Nebo, NC

Nebo is a charming city located in North Carolina, nestled in the picturesque McDowell County. Known for its natural beauty and friendly community atmosphere, Nebo attracts both residents and visitors alike. With its stunning landscapes and rich outdoor activities, it offers a refreshing retreat from urban life.

Location & geography

Situated in the western part of North Carolina, Nebo is approximately 10 miles northeast of Morganton and about 30 miles south of Asheville. The city covers a land area of 103.78 square miles, complemented by 7.16 square miles of water, making it a beautiful blend of terrain. The surrounding area is characterized by rolling hills and abundant natural resources, contributing to an enchanting landscape.

Community & economy

The community in Nebo is a close-knit one, where residents enjoy a slower pace of life and a strong sense of belonging. The local economy is supported by various industries, including manufacturing and healthcare, providing essential services to the area. Daily life in Nebo often includes outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking and fishing, thanks to its stunning natural surroundings.

Transportation

Nebo is easily accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 70 and North Carolina Highway 126, connecting it to larger cities and neighboring regions. The nearest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, located approximately 40 miles to the south, providing air travel options for residents and visitors. Public transit options are limited, but the roadways facilitate easy travel by car.

History

Nebo was established in the 19th century and has since grown into a vital community in McDowell County. Historically, the area thrived on industries such as agriculture and timber, which played a significant role in the local economy. Notable events include the development of recreational facilities that have enhanced tourism and outdoor activities in the region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Nebo is that it is home to the picturesque Lake James State Park, which attracts many outdoor enthusiasts with its hiking trails and water activities. This hidden gem in North Carolina offers not only recreational opportunities but also stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

ZIP codes for Nebo, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28761	Nebo	Mcdowell	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,595

Population

48.4

Median age

$51,750

Median household income

$37,153

Per capita income

$166,700

Median home value

$578

Median monthly rent

81.4%

Home ownership

12.8%

Poverty rate

2.2%

Unemployment

3,138

Housing units

20.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

253

Under 5

224

137

5–9

122

198

10–14

176

241

15–19

213

173

20–24

153

444

25–34

394

407

35–44

361

564

45–54

499

252

55–59

223

468

60–64

414

548

65–74

486

235

75–84

209

107

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,261	16.6%
18 and over	6,334	83.4%
65 and over	1,679	22.1%
Median age	48.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.3%

Black or African American 3.2%

Two or more races 1.7%

Hispanic or Latino 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	7,206	94.3%
Black or African American	243	3.2%
Two or more races	130	1.7%
Hispanic or Latino	46	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	16	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 6.9%

$10k–$15k 5.1%

$15k–$25k 5.1%

$25k–$35k 11.3%

$35k–$50k 21.1%

$50k–$75k 13.3%

$75k–$100k 14.1%

$100k–$150k 9.7%

$150k–$200k 5.8%

$200k+ 7.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.9%
$10k–$15k	5.1%
$15k–$25k	5.1%
$25k–$35k	11.3%
$35k–$50k	21.1%
$50k–$75k	13.3%
$75k–$100k	14.1%
$100k–$150k	9.7%
$150k–$200k	5.8%
$200k+	7.6%
Median income	$51,750

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.8%

$50k–$100k 15.8%

$100k–$150k 17.6%

$150k–$200k 15.7%

$200k–$300k 9.8%

$300k–$500k 15.4%

$500k–$1M 9.8%

$1M+ 4.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$166,700
Median rent / month	$578
Owner occupied	81.4%
Renter occupied	18.6%
Vacant	17.2%
Single-family detached	67.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	31.6%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.48

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.7%
2010–2019	9.8%
2000–2009	21.3%
1990–1999	20.1%
1980–1989	17.4%
1970–1979	11.6%
1960–1969	7.0%
1950–1959	5.6%
1940–1949	2.7%
1939 or earlier	3.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.6%
1 bedroom	2.9%
2 bedrooms	25.6%
3 bedrooms	59.8%
4 bedrooms	9.0%
5+ bedrooms	1.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.0%
1 vehicle	25.5%
2 vehicles	38.6%
3 or more	29.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	65.7%
Propane / LP gas	11.0%
Fuel oil	9.9%
Wood	10.9%
Solar	0.7%
No fuel used	1.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,863	60.6%
Cohabiting couple	163	5.3%
Male householder, no spouse	646	21.0%
Female householder, no spouse	400	13.0%
Households with children under 18	704	22.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,094	35.6%
Average household size	2.40

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.5%	20.2%
Married	59.1%	62.8%
Separated	3.0%	0.8%
Widowed	3.7%	10.4%
Divorced	8.7%	5.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.5%

Some HS, no diploma 10.4%

HS graduate 34.1%

Some college, no degree 19.0%

Associate's degree 13.6%

Bachelor's degree 10.6%

Graduate / professional 9.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	87.0%
Bachelor's or higher	20.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	129	10.1%
Kindergarten	125	9.8%
Elementary school	472	37.0%
High school	215	16.8%
College / grad school	336	26.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 24.2%

Retail trade 20.3%

Education & healthcare 18.1%

Transportation & utilities 7.8%

Public administration 6.8%

Other services 6.3%

Construction 6.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.0%

Finance & real estate 2.9%

Professional & management 2.2%

Agriculture & mining 1.3%

Wholesale trade 0.5%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.5%
Service	12.8%
Sales & office	21.6%
Natural resources & construction	13.6%
Production & transportation	23.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	83.1%
Government	12.6%
Self-employed	4.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.7%
Carpool	7.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.2

Poverty

All people 12.8%

Under 18 years 7.6%

18 and over 13.8%

Married-couple families 4.2%

Female-led households 52.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.5%
Retirement income	29.4%
Supplemental Security	4.4%
Cash public assistance	3.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.0%
High cholesterol	37.2%
Heart disease	8.0%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.4%
Arthritis	28.8%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	9.0%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.3%
No physical activity	25.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.9%
Fair or poor health	16.2%
Poor mental health	15.0%
Poor physical health	12.5%
No health insurance	17.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.8%
Visited dentist	59.8%
Cholesterol screening	89.6%
Teeth loss	16.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	432	6.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.9%
Under 18	10.0%
18–64 years	14.1%
65 and over	49.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	62.9%
Public insurance	43.0%
Uninsured under 19	3.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,118	93.7%
Spanish	6	0.1%
Other Indo-European	6	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,536	99.2%
Born in same state	7,513	98.9%
Born in different state	5,521	72.7%
Foreign born	23	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	59	0.8%
Not a US citizen	53	89.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,468	19.3%
Italian	830	10.9%
French	828	10.9%
English	168	2.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	41	0.5%
German	18	0.2%
Irish	6	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.4%
Internet access	85.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Nebo, NC have?

Nebo, NC has one ZIP code: 28761. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.