Roaring River ZIP Codes — Wilkes County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Roaring River, North Carolina and it is 28669. Area code: 336.

ZIP codes

47.98

sq mi land

0.10

sq mi water

336

area code

Roaring River, NC ZIP code map

About Roaring River, NC

Roaring River is a charming unincorporated community located in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it offers a picturesque rural setting. Residents enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere complemented by the serene beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Location & geography

Roaring River is situated approximately 13 miles south of Wilkesboro and about 22 miles northwest of Statesville. The community spans a total land area of 47.98 square miles, with a small water area of 0.10 square miles. Its terrain features a mix of rolling hills and wooded areas, making it a peaceful retreat for nature lovers.

Community & economy

The character of Roaring River is defined by its strong sense of community and traditional Southern hospitality. It primarily hosts a residential population complemented by local businesses and agricultural industries that contribute to the local economy. Daily life revolves around family-oriented activities, outdoor recreation, and cultural events that celebrate the area's heritage.

Transportation

Roaring River is accessible via several local roads, with North Carolina Highway 268 being a significant route passing through the community. The nearest major airport is Winston-Salem's Smith Reynolds Airport, which is approximately 30 miles to the southeast. Public transportation options may be limited, so personal vehicles are the primary mode of transit in the area.

History

While specific founding details may not be widely documented, Roaring River has a rich history intertwined with the broader development of Wilkes County. The community has traditionally been supported by agriculture and local industries, which continue to shape its identity today. Over the years, noteworthy events have centered around local festivities that highlight the area's cultural heritage.

Did you know?

Roaring River is home to the Roaring River State Park, which attracts visitors with its beautiful hiking trails and opportunities for fishing and camping. Additionally, the community's name is derived from the scenic Roaring River, which flows through the area, providing both a natural landmark and recreational opportunities.

ZIP codes for Roaring River, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28669	Roaring River	Wilkes	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,662

Population

48.4

Median age

$50,521

Median household income

$38,651

Per capita income

$131,100

Median home value

$696

Median monthly rent

86.2%

Home ownership

10.7%

Poverty rate

6.2%

Unemployment

1,217

Housing units

15.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

101

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

206

35–44

166

260

45–54

208

184

55–59

148

109

60–64

179

65–74

143

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	456	17.1%
18 and over	2,206	82.9%
65 and over	544	20.4%
Median age	48.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 73.7%

Two or more races 9.5%

Black or African American 8.5%

Hispanic or Latino 8.2%

Group	Count	%
White	2,139	73.7%
Two or more races	275	9.5%
Black or African American	248	8.5%
Hispanic or Latino	239	8.2%

Household income

Under $10k 4.3%

$15k–$25k 11.5%

$25k–$35k 3.3%

$35k–$50k 30.6%

$50k–$75k 16.4%

$75k–$100k 12.2%

$100k–$150k 14.9%

$150k–$200k 5.0%

$200k+ 1.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.3%
$15k–$25k	11.5%
$25k–$35k	3.3%
$35k–$50k	30.6%
$50k–$75k	16.4%
$75k–$100k	12.2%
$100k–$150k	14.9%
$150k–$200k	5.0%
$200k+	1.7%
Median income	$50,521

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.7%

$50k–$100k 28.9%

$100k–$150k 16.6%

$150k–$200k 21.4%

$200k–$300k 15.6%

$300k–$500k 1.4%

$500k–$1M 2.3%

$1M+ 2.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$131,100
Median rent / month	$696
Owner occupied	86.2%
Renter occupied	13.8%
Vacant	15.2%
Single-family detached	58.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	37.8%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.42

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.0%
2000–2009	16.8%
1990–1999	16.8%
1980–1989	17.2%
1970–1979	20.8%
1960–1969	3.5%
1950–1959	6.4%
1940–1949	12.8%
1939 or earlier	4.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	0.0%
2 bedrooms	35.3%
3 bedrooms	53.0%
4 bedrooms	8.3%
5+ bedrooms	3.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	12.1%
2 vehicles	46.5%
3 or more	41.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	68.9%
Propane / LP gas	12.7%
Fuel oil	14.9%
Wood	3.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	704	60.2%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	200	17.1%
Female householder, no spouse	265	22.7%
Households with children under 18	284	24.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	390	33.4%
Average household size	2.27

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.5%	20.9%
Married	62.0%	56.7%
Separated	3.0%	10.0%
Widowed	0.0%	3.9%
Divorced	8.5%	8.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.6%

Some HS, no diploma 2.8%

HS graduate 37.5%

Some college, no degree 24.2%

Associate's degree 13.2%

Bachelor's degree 9.1%

Graduate / professional 6.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.6%
Bachelor's or higher	15.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	17	4.7%
Kindergarten	67	18.6%
Elementary school	159	44.0%
High school	45	12.5%
College / grad school	73	20.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 23.3%

Education & healthcare 19.4%

Retail trade 13.3%

Other services 12.3%

Public administration 6.9%

Professional & management 6.6%

Information 4.5%

Construction 3.7%

Transportation & utilities 2.9%

Wholesale trade 2.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.1%

Agriculture & mining 1.9%

Finance & real estate 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.5%
Service	13.5%
Sales & office	17.5%
Natural resources & construction	8.9%
Production & transportation	31.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.8%
Government	21.4%
Self-employed	5.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	86.9%
Carpool	2.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.3

Poverty

All people 10.7%

Under 18 years 29.5%

18 and over 6.8%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 26.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.4%
Retirement income	29.3%
Supplemental Security	2.5%
Cash public assistance	0.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.4%
High cholesterol	36.7%
Heart disease	6.9%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.2%
Arthritis	26.9%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.8%
Cancer	6.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.4%
No physical activity	23.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.5%
Fair or poor health	14.5%
Poor mental health	14.8%
Poor physical health	11.1%
No health insurance	17.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.8%
Visited dentist	64.6%
Cholesterol screening	89.4%
Teeth loss	15.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	266	12.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.3%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	6.9%
65 and over	29.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	67.2%
Public insurance	36.2%
Uninsured under 19	2.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,494	93.7%
Spanish	204	8.2%
Other Indo-European	204	8.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,518	94.6%
Born in same state	2,518	94.6%
Born in different state	2,085	78.3%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	144	5.4%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	673	25.3%
Italian	277	10.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	205	7.7%
English	35	1.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.9%
Internet access	97.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Roaring River, NC have?

Roaring River, NC has one ZIP code: 28669. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.