Southport ZIP Code List — Brunswick County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Southport, North Carolina and it is 28461. Area code: 910.

ZIP codes

75.91

sq mi land

15.17

sq mi water

910

area code

Southport, NC ZIP code map

About Southport, NC

Southport, North Carolina, is a charming coastal city situated in Brunswick County. Known for its historic downtown area and picturesque waterfront, Southport offers a unique blend of southern charm and maritime history. Visitors and residents alike appreciate the city's relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those looking to enjoy the serene beauty of the North Carolina coast.

Location & geography

Southport is located at the confluence of the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, providing a stunning backdrop of both riverine and oceanic landscapes. This lovely city is approximately 28 miles south of Wilmington and about 50 miles north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The terrain features a land area of 75.91 square miles, accompanied by a significant water area of 15.17 square miles, making it rich in natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Community & economy

The character of Southport is defined by its friendly residents and a vibrant local culture that celebrates its maritime heritage. Major industries in the area include tourism, fishing, and small businesses that cater to both locals and visitors. Daily life in Southport revolves around community events, historic preservation, and enjoying the scenic views that the coast provides.

Transportation

Southport is accessible via North Carolina Highway 211, which connects it to larger regional highways and facilitates travel to nearby cities. The nearest commercial airport is Wilmington International Airport, located about 30 miles north of Southport. Public transit options are limited, but the town's compact size makes it easy to navigate on foot or by bicycle.

History

Founded in the 18th century, Southport quickly became an essential shipping port and has since evolved into a popular tourist destination. Historically, the city was influenced by the shipbuilding and fishing industries, which continue to play a role in its economy today. Notable events in Southport include the annual North Carolina Fourth of July Festival, celebrating its history and coastal heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Southport is that it has served as a filming location for several movies and television shows, including the notable television series 'The Walking Dead.' Additionally, the city's historic architecture and coastal scenery attract many photographers and artists year-round.

ZIP codes for Southport, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28461	Southport	Brunswick	View map

Demographics & statistics

22,255

Population

61.9

Median age

$77,470

Median household income

$52,607

Per capita income

$360,800

Median home value

$1,366

Median monthly rent

84.6%

Home ownership

5.3%

Poverty rate

8.7%

Unemployment

12,277

Housing units

36.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

295

Under 5

316

420

5–9

451

351

10–14

376

228

15–19

245

198

20–24

212

794

25–34

852

754

35–44

810

1,184

45–54

1,271

806

55–59

865

1,241

60–64

1,333

3,013

65–74

3,237

1,161

75–84

1,247

287

85+

308

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,517	11.3%
18 and over	19,738	88.7%
65 and over	9,253	41.6%
Median age	61.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87.3%

Black or African American 4.3%

Two or more races 4%

Hispanic or Latino 2.9%

Other race 0.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%

Asian 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	19,998	87.3%
Black or African American	986	4.3%
Two or more races	909	4%
Hispanic or Latino	658	2.9%
Other race	159	0.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	118	0.5%
Asian	85	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 4.6%

$10k–$15k 2.6%

$15k–$25k 5.6%

$25k–$35k 6.0%

$35k–$50k 11.4%

$50k–$75k 18.3%

$75k–$100k 13.1%

$100k–$150k 18.6%

$150k–$200k 9.8%

$200k+ 10.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.6%
$10k–$15k	2.6%
$15k–$25k	5.6%
$25k–$35k	6.0%
$35k–$50k	11.4%
$50k–$75k	18.3%
$75k–$100k	13.1%
$100k–$150k	18.6%
$150k–$200k	9.8%
$200k+	10.1%
Median income	$77,470

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.6%

$50k–$100k 4.7%

$100k–$150k 1.8%

$150k–$200k 9.6%

$200k–$300k 20.3%

$300k–$500k 28.8%

$500k–$1M 26.8%

$1M+ 3.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$360,800
Median rent / month	$1,366
Owner occupied	84.6%
Renter occupied	15.4%
Vacant	26.9%
Single-family detached	76.2%
Large apartment buildings	2.2%
Mobile homes	10.8%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.18

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.7%
2010–2019	25.9%
2000–2009	33.2%
1990–1999	19.6%
1980–1989	8.2%
1970–1979	7.1%
1960–1969	1.2%
1950–1959	2.0%
1940–1949	0.2%
1939 or earlier	2.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.2%
1 bedroom	2.2%
2 bedrooms	17.6%
3 bedrooms	60.4%
4 bedrooms	16.7%
5+ bedrooms	2.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.9%
1 vehicle	25.3%
2 vehicles	55.1%
3 or more	18.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	4.2%
Electricity	83.1%
Propane / LP gas	11.0%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	6,367	63.0%
Cohabiting couple	512	5.1%
Male householder, no spouse	996	9.9%
Female householder, no spouse	2,233	22.1%
Households with children under 18	1,446	14.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	5,460	54.0%
Average household size	2.18

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	17.8%	11.6%
Married	72.0%	63.3%
Separated	0.9%	2.2%
Widowed	2.6%	9.2%
Divorced	6.7%	13.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.4%

Some HS, no diploma 3.6%

HS graduate 22.0%

Some college, no degree 25.6%

Associate's degree 11.9%

Bachelor's degree 21.8%

Graduate / professional 14.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.0%
Bachelor's or higher	36.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	106	4.3%
Kindergarten	178	7.2%
Elementary school	1,184	48.0%
High school	431	17.5%
College / grad school	566	23.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.0%

Professional & management 11.9%

Transportation & utilities 11.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.3%

Retail trade 9.6%

Construction 8.7%

Manufacturing 7.7%

Finance & real estate 5.6%

Other services 5.0%

Public administration 4.0%

Wholesale trade 2.8%

Information 1.4%

Agriculture & mining 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	40.0%
Service	17.5%
Sales & office	18.5%
Natural resources & construction	11.3%
Production & transportation	12.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.5%
Government	13.2%
Self-employed	9.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	71.1%
Carpool	4.7%
Public transit	3.8%
Walk	1.7%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.3

Poverty

All people 5.3%

Under 18 years 3.2%

18 and over 5.6%

Married-couple families 1.8%

Female-led households 5.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	56.4%
Retirement income	49.4%
Supplemental Security	2.1%
Cash public assistance	0.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.8%
High cholesterol	41.4%
Heart disease	7.7%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	8.5%
Arthritis	29.8%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	7.0%
Cancer	9.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.1%
No physical activity	19.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.0%
Fair or poor health	11.9%
Poor mental health	11.8%
Poor physical health	9.9%
No health insurance	13.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	81.4%
Visited dentist	73.4%
Cholesterol screening	93.5%
Teeth loss	9.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,500	12.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.5%
Under 18	3.2%
18–64 years	12.1%
65 and over	17.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	72.2%
Public insurance	51.2%
Uninsured under 19	5.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	21,644	97.3%
Spanish	257	1.2%
Other Indo-European	142	0.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	49	0.2%
Other languages	33	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	21,767	97.8%
Born in same state	21,495	96.6%
Born in different state	7,513	33.8%
Foreign born	272	1.2%
Naturalized citizen	488	2.2%
Not a US citizen	398	81.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	4,087	18.4%
French	3,511	15.8%
Arab	1,568	7%
German	340	1.5%
English	315	1.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	184	0.8%
Dutch	134	0.6%
Irish	112	0.5%
Norwegian	96	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.4%
Internet access	97.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Southport, NC?

Southport, NC has one ZIP code: 28461.

What is the main ZIP code for Southport, NC?

The primary ZIP code for Southport, NC is 28461. The city uses area code 910 for phone service.

What county is Southport, NC in?

Southport is located in Brunswick County, North Carolina.

How many ZIP codes are in Southport, NC?

Southport, NC has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use for shipping to the Southport Marina and waterfront district?

The Southport Marina and downtown waterfront area are located in ZIP code 28461, which covers the historic downtown district along the Cape Fear River.

What is the ZIP code for the Southport-Oak Island area including the beach communities?

Both Southport's residential neighborhoods and the connected Oak Island beach area are served by ZIP code 28461, which is the single ZIP code for this coastal region in Brunswick County.