Spencer ZIP Codes — Rowan County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Spencer, North Carolina and it is 28159. Area code: 336.

ZIP codes

2.24

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

336

area code

Spencer, NC ZIP code map

About Spencer, NC

Spencer is a charming city located in Rowan County, North Carolina. Known for its small-town atmosphere and rich history, it offers a unique blend of Southern hospitality and community spirit. With a population that enjoys close-knit relationships, Spencer serves as a wonderful place to both live and visit.

Location & geography

Spencer is situated approximately 45 miles northeast of Charlotte, making it accessible for those who enjoy city life but prefer to reside in a quieter area. The city is bordered by the scenic landscapes of Rowan County, with its terrain primarily consisting of 2.24 square miles of land and no significant water bodies. Nearby cities include Salisbury to the southwest, China Grove to the east, Landis to the north, and Kannapolis to the southeast.

Community & economy

The community in Spencer is characterized by its friendly residents and a strong sense of local pride. The city's economy is supported by various industries, including retail and agriculture, contributing to the area’s stability and growth. Daily life in Spencer revolves around local businesses, community events, and a variety of recreational activities that foster connections among residents.

Transportation

Spencer is conveniently located near major highways, including Interstate 85, which connects residents to nearby cities and regions. The nearest airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport, situated approximately 45 miles to the southwest, providing both domestic and international travel options. Public transportation options may be limited, encouraging a more personal and community-oriented way of getting around.

History

Spencer was founded in the late 19th century, originally serving as a railroad town, which played a pivotal role in its development and growth. Key industries during its early years included manufacturing and the railroads, which remain significant to the town's history. Notable events include the transformation of Spencer from an industrial hub to a community-focused city over the past century.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Spencer is that it was once home to a thriving railroad depot, which greatly influenced the town's early growth and economic prosperity. Additionally, the city is known for its close-knit community, where local traditions and events showcase the unique culture of the area.

ZIP codes for Spencer, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28159	Spencer	Rowan	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,954

Population

41.5

Median age

$60,449

Median household income

$28,780

Per capita income

$136,400

Median home value

$1,045

Median monthly rent

59.6%

Home ownership

17.9%

Poverty rate

10.3%

Unemployment

894

Housing units

21.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

101

10–14

15–19

20–24

241

25–34

217

194

35–44

174

281

45–54

252

131

55–59

117

60–64

127

65–74

113

104

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	580	19.6%
18 and over	2,374	80.4%
65 and over	461	15.6%
Median age	41.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 54.7%

Black or African American 38%

Hispanic or Latino 3.4%

Two or more races 3.4%

Other race 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	1,674	54.7%
Black or African American	1,163	38%
Hispanic or Latino	104	3.4%
Two or more races	103	3.4%
Other race	14	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 9.5%

$10k–$15k 6.0%

$15k–$25k 8.7%

$25k–$35k 5.6%

$35k–$50k 10.5%

$50k–$75k 29.9%

$75k–$100k 8.8%

$100k–$150k 17.1%

$150k–$200k 2.3%

$200k+ 1.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.5%
$10k–$15k	6.0%
$15k–$25k	8.7%
$25k–$35k	5.6%
$35k–$50k	10.5%
$50k–$75k	29.9%
$75k–$100k	8.8%
$100k–$150k	17.1%
$150k–$200k	2.3%
$200k+	1.5%
Median income	$60,449

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.4%

$50k–$100k 22.0%

$100k–$150k 32.0%

$150k–$200k 19.1%

$200k–$300k 13.8%

$300k–$500k 5.3%

$500k–$1M 5.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$136,400
Median rent / month	$1,045
Owner occupied	59.6%
Renter occupied	40.4%
Vacant	14.1%
Single-family detached	82.7%
Large apartment buildings	0.4%
Mobile homes	1.6%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.54

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.1%
2000–2009	7.7%
1990–1999	7.5%
1980–1989	9.5%
1970–1979	12.9%
1960–1969	5.6%
1950–1959	16.1%
1940–1949	13.2%
1939 or earlier	23.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	1.7%
2 bedrooms	42.7%
3 bedrooms	35.2%
4 bedrooms	11.4%
5+ bedrooms	9.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	9.5%
1 vehicle	17.4%
2 vehicles	48.1%
3 or more	24.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	50.7%
Electricity	46.3%
Propane / LP gas	1.1%
Fuel oil	1.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	450	38.3%
Cohabiting couple	76	6.5%
Male householder, no spouse	255	21.7%
Female householder, no spouse	395	33.6%
Households with children under 18	297	25.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	390	33.2%
Average household size	2.46

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	44.2%	31.4%
Married	42.0%	37.8%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	3.0%	11.9%
Divorced	10.7%	18.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.6%

Some HS, no diploma 17.3%

HS graduate 29.9%

Some college, no degree 19.7%

Associate's degree 7.6%

Bachelor's degree 17.4%

Graduate / professional 3.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	78.2%
Bachelor's or higher	21.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	18	2.6%
Kindergarten	32	4.6%
Elementary school	292	41.6%
High school	149	21.2%
College / grad school	211	30.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.5%

Manufacturing 16.4%

Retail trade 15.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.9%

Construction 9.3%

Transportation & utilities 8.3%

Wholesale trade 4.7%

Professional & management 4.4%

Finance & real estate 4.3%

Other services 3.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.5%
Service	11.4%
Sales & office	16.3%
Natural resources & construction	10.3%
Production & transportation	30.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.0%
Government	14.1%
Self-employed	3.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	67.2%
Carpool	10.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.0%
Other means	3.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	29.0

Poverty

All people 17.9%

Under 18 years 15.0%

18 and over 18.6%

Married-couple families 2.4%

Female-led households 50.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.2%
Retirement income	19.1%
Supplemental Security	3.2%
Cash public assistance	10.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.3%
High cholesterol	34.8%
Heart disease	8.5%
Stroke	4.7%
Asthma	10.5%
Arthritis	30.0%
Kidney disease	4.1%
Pulmonary disease	9.6%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.7%
No physical activity	31.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.0%
Fair or poor health	21.0%
Poor mental health	16.1%
Poor physical health	14.0%
No health insurance	22.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	80.6%
Visited dentist	51.7%
Cholesterol screening	88.6%
Teeth loss	22.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	147	6.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.2%
Under 18	1.6%
18–64 years	12.7%
65 and over	73.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.0%
Public insurance	30.0%
Uninsured under 19	8.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,844	96.3%
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)	2,931	99.2%
Born in same state	2,915	98.7%
Born in different state	2,062	69.8%
Foreign born	16	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	23	0.8%
Not a US citizen	23	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	265	9%
Arab	228	7.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	48	1.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.8%
Internet access	93.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Spencer, NC have?

Spencer, NC has one ZIP code: 28159. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.