Purlear ZIP Codes — Wilkes County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Purlear, North Carolina and it is 28665. Area code: 336.

ZIP codes

64.78

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

336

area code

Purlear, NC ZIP code map

About Purlear, NC

Purlear, North Carolina, is a small yet charming community located in Wilkes County. It is characterized by its serene landscapes and friendly atmosphere, making it an appealing place for both residents and visitors. The town's rich culture and history add to its allure, reflecting the simple, rural lifestyle of the region.

Location & geography

Purlear is positioned in the western part of North Carolina, nestled within Wilkes County. Nearby cities include North Wilkesboro approximately 13 miles to the east, Boone around 20 miles to the northwest, Wilkesboro about 12 miles to the east, and Jefferson roughly 23 miles to the west. The town encompasses a total land area of 64.78 square miles and features a predominantly rural terrain with no significant bodies of water.

Community & economy

The character of Purlear is deeply rooted in its agricultural and small-town traditions, fostering a close-knit community atmosphere. The local economy is supported by farming, small businesses, and some light industry that reflects its rural heritage. Daily life in Purlear is often interspersed with community events and gatherings that celebrate the town's heritage and strengthen local bonds.

Transportation

Purlear is accessible mainly through various local roads, with Highway 421 serving as a major route nearby. For regional travel, residents and visitors can utilize the transportation services available in larger neighboring towns and cities. The nearest airport for major flights is located in Wilkes County, providing connectivity to the broader region.

History

Founded in the 19th century, Purlear has developed from its early agricultural roots into a community that values its heritage. Key industries historically included farming and timber, which played vital roles in the town's economy. Notable events in Purlear's history reflect the resilience and spirit of the local population amid changing times.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Purlear is that it maintains a strong sense of community, with various annual festivals and gatherings that attract visitors from surrounding areas. Despite being a small town, Purlear is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including nearby mountains and lush forests, making it a hidden gem for nature lovers.

ZIP codes for Purlear, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28665	Purlear	Wilkes	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,780

Population

45.8

Median age

$43,393

Median household income

$25,165

Per capita income

$150,900

Median home value

$625

Median monthly rent

80.6%

Home ownership

19.2%

Poverty rate

3.8%

Unemployment

1,355

Housing units

15.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

141

Under 5

159

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

262

25–34

294

116

35–44

131

184

45–54

207

55–59

108

115

60–64

130

163

65–74

183

112

75–84

125

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	400	14.4%
18 and over	2,380	85.6%
65 and over	598	21.5%
Median age	45.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 98.4%

Two or more races 1.1%

Black or African American 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	2,736	98.4%
Two or more races	30	1.1%
Black or African American	14	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 4.0%

$10k–$15k 3.7%

$15k–$25k 16.4%

$25k–$35k 19.5%

$35k–$50k 12.5%

$50k–$75k 14.6%

$75k–$100k 10.2%

$100k–$150k 13.7%

$150k–$200k 2.4%

$200k+ 3.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.0%
$10k–$15k	3.7%
$15k–$25k	16.4%
$25k–$35k	19.5%
$35k–$50k	12.5%
$50k–$75k	14.6%
$75k–$100k	10.2%
$100k–$150k	13.7%
$150k–$200k	2.4%
$200k+	3.1%
Median income	$43,393

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.5%

$50k–$100k 24.1%

$100k–$150k 13.0%

$150k–$200k 17.1%

$200k–$300k 15.8%

$300k–$500k 12.5%

$500k–$1M 5.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$150,900
Median rent / month	$625
Owner occupied	80.6%
Renter occupied	19.4%
Vacant	29.2%
Single-family detached	60.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	39.5%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.44

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.8%
2000–2009	30.1%
1990–1999	15.2%
1980–1989	12.7%
1970–1979	16.7%
1960–1969	11.9%
1950–1959	5.3%
1940–1949	5.7%
1939 or earlier	0.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	4.1%
2 bedrooms	28.1%
3 bedrooms	59.5%
4 bedrooms	5.4%
5+ bedrooms	2.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.1%
1 vehicle	26.9%
2 vehicles	35.0%
3 or more	34.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.7%
Electricity	76.8%
Propane / LP gas	9.8%
Fuel oil	9.4%
Wood	2.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	601	54.0%
Cohabiting couple	53	4.8%
Male householder, no spouse	200	18.0%
Female householder, no spouse	259	23.3%
Households with children under 18	306	27.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	425	38.2%
Average household size	2.50

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.7%	20.3%
Married	55.0%	49.4%
Separated	2.7%	6.4%
Widowed	4.5%	16.0%
Divorced	4.2%	7.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.5%

Some HS, no diploma 15.7%

HS graduate 37.1%

Some college, no degree 21.0%

Associate's degree 8.3%

Bachelor's degree 10.2%

Graduate / professional 5.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	81.8%
Bachelor's or higher	15.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	62	32.1%
High school	75	38.9%
College / grad school	56	29.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.3%

Retail trade 17.7%

Manufacturing 13.6%

Construction 12.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.5%

Other services 7.1%

Wholesale trade 5.6%

Agriculture & mining 4.8%

Public administration 3.1%

Professional & management 3.0%

Transportation & utilities 2.7%

Finance & real estate 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	24.0%
Service	14.9%
Sales & office	28.5%
Natural resources & construction	19.3%
Production & transportation	13.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.9%
Government	12.5%
Self-employed	5.4%
Unpaid family workers	1.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.0%
Carpool	14.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.7%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.8

Poverty

All people 19.2%

Under 18 years 41.3%

18 and over 15.5%

Married-couple families 7.8%

Female-led households 32.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	48.5%
Retirement income	29.1%
Supplemental Security	3.5%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.3%
High cholesterol	38.4%
Heart disease	8.3%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	9.9%
Arthritis	30.5%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	10.3%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.4%
No physical activity	27.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.0%
Fair or poor health	18.1%
Poor mental health	15.9%
Poor physical health	13.6%
No health insurance	18.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.2%
Visited dentist	59.6%
Cholesterol screening	88.8%
Teeth loss	18.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	94	3.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.8%
Under 18	2.3%
18–64 years	14.2%
65 and over	34.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.0%
Public insurance	47.4%
Uninsured under 19	2.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,480	89.2%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,780	100.0%
Born in same state	2,780	100.0%
Born in different state	2,295	82.6%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,246	44.8%
French	341	12.3%
Italian	85	3.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	19	0.7%
English	18	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.0%
Internet access	90.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Purlear, NC have?

Purlear, NC has one ZIP code: 28665. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.