Oriental ZIP Codes — Pamlico County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Oriental, North Carolina and it is 28571. Area code: 252.
1
ZIP codes
50.77
sq mi land
23.48
sq mi water
252
area code
Oriental, NC ZIP code map

About Oriental, NC

Oriental is a charming town located in North Carolina, known for its picturesque waterfront and friendly community. Nestled in Pamlico County, this small town has a unique mix of natural beauty and cultural richness. With its serene atmosphere and beautiful scenery, Oriental serves as a perfect getaway for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Location & geography

Oriental is located on the Neuse River, approximately 30 miles southeast of Greenville, 20 miles northeast of New Bern, and about 10 miles west of Bayboro. The town covers a total area of 74.25 square miles, with 50.77 square miles of land and 23.48 square miles of water. The terrain features a mix of lush vegetation and waterfront access, making it an appealing destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Community & economy

The community of Oriental is known for its laid-back atmosphere and close-knit feel, making it a welcoming place for both residents and visitors. While tourism, particularly boating and fishing, plays a significant role in the local economy, there are also small businesses and industries that contribute to daily life. Residents enjoy a peaceful lifestyle with opportunities for community events and outdoor activities along the water.

Transportation

Major highways, including NC Highway 55, provide convenient access to and from Oriental, linking it to nearby towns and cities. The nearest regional airport is Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in New Bern, which offers flights to various destinations. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary means of getting around.

History

Oriental was founded in the early 1900s and quickly developed as a port town, leveraging its strategic position along the Neuse River. Key industries have traditionally included fishing and shipbuilding, significant to the town's economy and development. Over the years, Oriental has become known for its vibrant boating community and annual events that celebrate its maritime culture.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Oriental is that it is often referred to as the 'Sailing Capital of North Carolina' due to its rich sailing culture and numerous regattas. The town hosts many boat-related events and activities, attracting sailing enthusiasts from across the region.

ZIP codes for Oriental, NC (1)
ZIP code City County Map
28571 Oriental Pamlico View map

Demographics & statistics

2,892
Population
63.2
Median age
$67,292
Median household income
$42,571
Per capita income
$357,900
Median home value
$1,145
Median monthly rent
89.4%
Home ownership
13.1%
Poverty rate
0.3%
Unemployment
1,781
Housing units
40.5%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
20
Under 5
24
70
5–9
85
45
10–14
55
61
15–19
74
9
20–24
11
72
25–34
88
81
35–44
99
109
45–54
133
93
55–59
114
160
60–64
195
349
65–74
425
186
75–84
227
48
85+
59
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1831010.7%
18 and over2,58289.3%
65 and over1,29444.7%
Median age63.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 80.8%
Black or African American 12.5%
Two or more races 3.2%
Hispanic or Latino 2.2%
Other race 0.7%
Asian 0.5%
GroupCount%
White2,38980.8%
Black or African American37012.5%
Two or more races953.2%
Hispanic or Latino642.2%
Other race210.7%
Asian160.5%

Household income

Under $10k 4.7%
$10k–$15k 2.9%
$15k–$25k 10.3%
$25k–$35k 8.3%
$35k–$50k 11.0%
$50k–$75k 14.7%
$75k–$100k 11.9%
$100k–$150k 22.6%
$150k–$200k 5.9%
$200k+ 7.8%
Range% of households
Under $10k4.7%
$10k–$15k2.9%
$15k–$25k10.3%
$25k–$35k8.3%
$35k–$50k11.0%
$50k–$75k14.7%
$75k–$100k11.9%
$100k–$150k22.6%
$150k–$200k5.9%
$200k+7.8%
Median income$67,292

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.9%
$50k–$100k 3.2%
$100k–$150k 8.7%
$150k–$200k 6.8%
$200k–$300k 18.0%
$300k–$500k 38.4%
$500k–$1M 17.8%
$1M+ 4.2%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$357,900
Median rent / month$1,145
Owner occupied89.4%
Renter occupied10.6%
Vacant30.7%
Single-family detached79.7%
Large apartment buildings1.0%
Mobile homes9.1%
Median rooms5.5
Avg household size (owned)2.25

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.4%
2010–20197.4%
2000–200927.1%
1990–199919.4%
1980–198917.7%
1970–19799.4%
1960–196910.5%
1950–19590.6%
1940–19491.4%
1939 or earlier6.1%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom3.1%
2 bedrooms20.8%
3 bedrooms63.4%
4 bedrooms12.0%
5+ bedrooms0.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle3.0%
1 vehicle25.5%
2 vehicles51.2%
3 or more20.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas0.8%
Electricity82.6%
Propane / LP gas13.0%
Fuel oil0.5%
Wood2.2%
Solar0.8%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family75056.3%
Cohabiting couple906.8%
Male householder, no spouse16512.4%
Female householder, no spouse32624.5%
Households with children under 1815211.4%
Households with seniors (65+)84263.3%
Average household size2.17

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married19.8%20.9%
Married65.6%54.7%
Separated0.0%2.1%
Widowed3.9%12.1%
Divorced10.7%10.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.9%
Some HS, no diploma 2.1%
HS graduate 20.7%
Some college, no degree 24.5%
Associate's degree 10.2%
Bachelor's degree 22.9%
Graduate / professional 17.6%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher96.0%
Bachelor's or higher40.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool10229.7%
Kindergarten20.6%
Elementary school15444.9%
High school4112.0%
College / grad school4412.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Arts, food & hospitality 30.0%
Education & healthcare 18.0%
Professional & management 17.5%
Retail trade 8.8%
Manufacturing 5.6%
Public administration 4.7%
Construction 3.9%
Other services 3.6%
Transportation & utilities 3.3%
Finance & real estate 2.4%
Agriculture & mining 1.1%
Information 0.8%
Wholesale trade 0.3%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts30.1%
Service38.0%
Sales & office18.9%
Natural resources & construction7.7%
Production & transportation5.2%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector74.0%
Government16.0%
Self-employed10.0%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone73.1%
Carpool7.5%
Public transit1.1%
Walk0.0%
Other means0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)19.6

Poverty

All people 13.1%
Under 18 years 36.3%
18 and over 10.4%
Married-couple families 2.1%
Female-led households 21.5%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security66.6%
Retirement income54.7%
Supplemental Security2.6%
Cash public assistance0.8%
Food stamps / SNAP5.5%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure45.7%
High cholesterol43.7%
Heart disease10.5%
Stroke4.7%
Asthma8.7%
Arthritis36.6%
Kidney disease4.3%
Pulmonary disease9.3%
Cancer10.5%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking11.3%
No physical activity23.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep29.8%
Fair or poor health15.8%
Poor mental health11.5%
Poor physical health12.2%
No health insurance14.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)83.2%
Visited dentist68.6%
Cholesterol screening94.9%
Teeth loss12.9%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans43216.7%
Disability%
Any disability20.9%
Under 184.2%
18–64 years22.2%
65 and over23.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance72.7%
Public insurance55.1%
Uninsured under 191.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only2,84898.5%
Spanish963.4%
Other Indo-European842.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages120.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)2,72494.2%
Born in same state2,69493.2%
Born in different state97433.7%
Foreign born301.0%
Naturalized citizen1685.8%
Not a US citizen6739.9%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French59020.4%
Italian35612.3%
Arab29910.3%
German210.7%
English150.5%
AncestryCount%
Irish120.4%
Dutch80.3%
Polish70.2%
Norwegian20.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access46.0%
Internet access96.8%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Oriental, NC have?
Oriental, NC has one ZIP code: 28571. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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