Old Fort ZIP Codes — Mcdowell County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Old Fort, North Carolina and it is 28762. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

95.52

sq mi land

0.17

sq mi water

828

area code

Old Fort, NC ZIP code map

About Old Fort, NC

Old Fort, North Carolina, is a charming small town situated in the scenic McDowell County. Known for its rich history and stunning natural beauty, Old Fort enchants visitors and residents alike. The town is a gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a unique blend of outdoor recreation and small-town charm.

Location & geography

Old Fort is located in the western part of North Carolina, approximately 20 miles east of Asheville and 15 miles south of Morganton. The town covers a land area of 95.52 square miles and includes a water area of 0.17 square miles, contributing to its picturesque landscapes. The local terrain features a mix of rolling hills and mountain views, making it an attractive spot for nature enthusiasts.

Community & economy

The character of Old Fort is deeply rooted in its historical significance and community spirit. The town embraces a variety of industries, including tourism, agriculture, and small manufacturing, which contribute to a vibrant local economy. Daily life in Old Fort revolves around a close-knit community, with local events and festivals celebrating the town's heritage and natural surroundings.

Transportation

Old Fort is easily accessible via Interstate 40, which runs adjacent to the town, offering convenient travel to nearby cities. The closest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, located about 30 miles away. While public transit options are limited, the town’s walkable layout makes it easy to navigate.

History

Old Fort was originally founded in the 19th century, mainly as a railroad town that supported the local mining industry. Over the years, it has evolved while maintaining its historical charm, with notable events such as annual festivals that celebrate its heritage. The town's industrial background laid the groundwork for its current economic base, which thrives on tourism and outdoor activities.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Old Fort is that it is the home of the famous Old Fort Train Depot, which played a significant role in the town's development during the railroad era. Additionally, the town serves as a gateway to the stunning Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all over the region.

ZIP codes for Old Fort, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28762	Old Fort	Mcdowell	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,617

Population

52.7

Median age

$53,553

Median household income

$32,497

Per capita income

$147,600

Median home value

$735

Median monthly rent

70.5%

Home ownership

14.5%

Poverty rate

9.0%

Unemployment

2,619

Housing units

17.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

128

Under 5

124

148

5–9

143

174

10–14

168

156

15–19

152

20–24

369

25–34

357

358

35–44

348

357

45–54

346

419

55–59

407

372

60–64

361

531

65–74

516

214

75–84

208

101

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,048	15.8%
18 and over	5,569	84.2%
65 and over	1,667	25.2%
Median age	52.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 88%

Hispanic or Latino 5%

Other race 4.7%

Two or more races 1.6%

Black or African American 0.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	6,127	88%
Hispanic or Latino	346	5%
Other race	329	4.7%
Two or more races	108	1.6%
Black or African American	31	0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	22	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 3.4%

$10k–$15k 2.6%

$15k–$25k 11.3%

$25k–$35k 10.5%

$35k–$50k 19.0%

$50k–$75k 22.7%

$75k–$100k 9.8%

$100k–$150k 14.4%

$150k–$200k 2.9%

$200k+ 3.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.4%
$10k–$15k	2.6%
$15k–$25k	11.3%
$25k–$35k	10.5%
$35k–$50k	19.0%
$50k–$75k	22.7%
$75k–$100k	9.8%
$100k–$150k	14.4%
$150k–$200k	2.9%
$200k+	3.5%
Median income	$53,553

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 20.1%

$50k–$100k 11.4%

$100k–$150k 19.1%

$150k–$200k 18.4%

$200k–$300k 15.1%

$300k–$500k 12.9%

$500k–$1M 2.2%

$1M+ 0.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$147,600
Median rent / month	$735
Owner occupied	70.5%
Renter occupied	29.5%
Vacant	14.9%
Single-family detached	66.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	29.3%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.21

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.5%
2010–2019	6.0%
2000–2009	14.8%
1990–1999	16.3%
1980–1989	11.2%
1970–1979	14.0%
1960–1969	11.3%
1950–1959	6.7%
1940–1949	4.8%
1939 or earlier	14.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.7%
1 bedroom	13.4%
2 bedrooms	25.3%
3 bedrooms	49.0%
4 bedrooms	7.6%
5+ bedrooms	2.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.1%
1 vehicle	25.2%
2 vehicles	40.7%
3 or more	28.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.8%
Electricity	59.2%
Propane / LP gas	13.3%
Fuel oil	11.6%
Wood	12.7%
No fuel used	1.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,451	48.8%
Cohabiting couple	205	6.9%
Male householder, no spouse	532	17.9%
Female householder, no spouse	786	26.4%
Households with children under 18	569	19.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,133	38.1%
Average household size	2.20

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	23.7%	14.2%
Married	53.4%	53.4%
Separated	2.6%	2.1%
Widowed	4.8%	15.3%
Divorced	15.4%	14.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.6%

Some HS, no diploma 8.2%

HS graduate 37.7%

Some college, no degree 21.7%

Associate's degree 10.9%

Bachelor's degree 12.9%

Graduate / professional 4.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.1%
Bachelor's or higher	17.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	93	8.6%
Kindergarten	51	4.7%
Elementary school	420	39.0%
High school	360	33.5%
College / grad school	152	14.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 26.4%

Education & healthcare 21.3%

Retail trade 9.0%

Construction 8.0%

Transportation & utilities 6.6%

Professional & management 6.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.0%

Other services 3.9%

Wholesale trade 3.5%

Information 3.3%

Public administration 2.9%

Finance & real estate 2.0%

Agriculture & mining 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	25.4%
Service	14.9%
Sales & office	19.4%
Natural resources & construction	7.7%
Production & transportation	32.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.2%
Government	14.4%
Self-employed	7.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.6%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.3%
Carpool	9.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.2%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.7

Poverty

All people 14.5%

Under 18 years 19.1%

18 and over 13.7%

Married-couple families 7.5%

Female-led households 9.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	46.2%
Retirement income	28.6%
Supplemental Security	5.4%
Cash public assistance	0.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.5%
High cholesterol	37.0%
Heart disease	8.1%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	29.2%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	8.9%
Cancer	7.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.1%
No physical activity	24.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.2%
Fair or poor health	15.8%
Poor mental health	14.6%
Poor physical health	12.2%
No health insurance	17.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.3%
Visited dentist	61.2%
Cholesterol screening	90.0%
Teeth loss	16.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	620	11.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.1%
Under 18	1.7%
18–64 years	19.6%
65 and over	36.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	61.9%
Public insurance	47.6%
Uninsured under 19	5.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,365	96.2%
Spanish	102	1.6%
Other Indo-European	102	1.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	6,369	96.3%
Born in same state	6,324	95.6%
Born in different state	4,237	64.0%
Foreign born	45	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	248	3.7%
Not a US citizen	63	25.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,256	19%
French	804	12.2%
Italian	742	11.2%
Irish	50	0.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	34	0.5%
English	30	0.5%
Dutch	29	0.4%
German	26	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.9%
Internet access	88.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Old Fort, NC have?

Old Fort, NC has one ZIP code: 28762. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.