Stella ZIP Codes — Carteret County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Stella, North Carolina and it is 28582. Area code: 252.
1
ZIP codes
13.73
sq mi land
2.50
sq mi water
252
area code
Stella, NC ZIP code map

About Stella, NC

Stella is a charming community located in Carteret County, North Carolina. Known for its serene landscapes, it is primarily a residential area with close-knit neighborhoods. The city's comfortable atmosphere makes it an appealing location for those looking to enjoy a quieter pace of life.

Location & geography

Stella sits in the eastern part of North Carolina, approximately 10 miles from the coastal town of Morehead City and 12 miles from the vibrant city of Beaufort. The city is characterized by a mix of land and water areas, covering a total of 13.73 square miles of land and 2.50 square miles of water. Stella's terrain includes scenic views and natural beauty, typical of the coastal Carolinas.

Community & economy

With a tight-knit community, Stella embodies the welcoming spirit of small-town North Carolina. The city is often associated with local industries such as agriculture and tourism, thriving due to its proximity to the beautiful Crystal Coast. Daily life in Stella is marked by community events, outdoor activities, and a deep appreciation for the surrounding environment.

Transportation

Stella is conveniently located near U.S. Highway 70, providing easy access to neighboring cities and coastal attractions. The nearest major airport is Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, located about 30 miles away in New Bern. Public transportation options may be limited, but residents often rely on personal vehicles for commuting and travel.

History

Though specific founding dates may not be widely documented, Stella has always been an important part of Carteret County's agricultural and fishing background. The area has seen growth due to its appealing landscape and increasing interest in coastal tourism. Notable events in the community often revolve around local celebrations and festivals, reflecting the region's rich heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Stella is its close proximity to the Crystal Coast, a popular tourist destination known for beautiful beaches and rich marine life. Additionally, the area is less commercialized compared to other regions in North Carolina, which helps preserve its rural charm.

ZIP codes for Stella, NC (1)
ZIP code City County Map
28582 Stella Carteret View map

Demographics & statistics

1,750
Population
50.3
Median age
$62,171
Median household income
$37,092
Per capita income
$268,900
Median home value
$1,313
Median monthly rent
78.6%
Home ownership
3.5%
Poverty rate
3.9%
Unemployment
647
Housing units
36.1%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
50
5–9
52
58
10–14
62
81
15–19
86
62
20–24
65
33
25–34
35
127
35–44
133
79
45–54
83
53
55–59
56
83
60–64
87
139
65–74
147
77
75–84
82
10
85+
10
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1834419.7%
18 and over1,40680.3%
65 and over46526.6%
Median age50.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87.9%
Two or more races 6.4%
Hispanic or Latino 4.4%
Black or African American 0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
GroupCount%
White1,60987.9%
Two or more races1186.4%
Hispanic or Latino804.4%
Black or African American160.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native70.4%

Household income

Under $10k 2.4%
$10k–$15k 1.7%
$15k–$25k 3.1%
$25k–$35k 21.2%
$35k–$50k 8.2%
$50k–$75k 25.7%
$75k–$100k 8.7%
$100k–$150k 8.7%
$150k–$200k 14.3%
$200k+ 5.9%
Range% of households
Under $10k2.4%
$10k–$15k1.7%
$15k–$25k3.1%
$25k–$35k21.2%
$35k–$50k8.2%
$50k–$75k25.7%
$75k–$100k8.7%
$100k–$150k8.7%
$150k–$200k14.3%
$200k+5.9%
Median income$62,171

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.1%
$50k–$100k 1.6%
$100k–$150k 11.3%
$150k–$200k 7.5%
$200k–$300k 37.0%
$300k–$500k 20.4%
$500k–$1M 18.4%
$1M+ 1.6%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$268,900
Median rent / month$1,313
Owner occupied78.6%
Renter occupied21.4%
Vacant11.0%
Single-family detached85.4%
Large apartment buildings2.0%
Mobile homes9.0%
Median rooms6.7
Avg household size (owned)2.55

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–201918.0%
2000–200924.8%
1990–199925.9%
1980–19897.1%
1970–197915.4%
1960–19694.9%
1950–19592.6%
1940–19490.0%
1939 or earlier1.3%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)2.0%
1 bedroom1.5%
2 bedrooms19.0%
3 bedrooms55.6%
4 bedrooms17.8%
5+ bedrooms4.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.0%
1 vehicle26.3%
2 vehicles43.5%
3 or more30.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Electricity94.7%
Propane / LP gas4.5%
Wood0.8%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family36351.1%
Cohabiting couple486.8%
Male householder, no spouse659.1%
Female householder, no spouse23533.1%
Households with children under 1821229.8%
Households with seniors (65+)34248.1%
Average household size2.46

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married36.2%18.9%
Married47.7%50.4%
Separated0.0%4.5%
Widowed4.3%11.9%
Divorced11.8%14.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 2.1%
HS graduate 25.4%
Some college, no degree 29.2%
Associate's degree 7.2%
Bachelor's degree 23.1%
Graduate / professional 13.0%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher97.9%
Bachelor's or higher36.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool00.0%
Kindergarten285.2%
Elementary school17432.6%
High school14226.6%
College / grad school19035.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.8%
Professional & management 15.1%
Construction 10.9%
Manufacturing 10.0%
Retail trade 10.0%
Arts, food & hospitality 10.0%
Public administration 8.8%
Finance & real estate 3.3%
Information 2.8%
Other services 1.8%
Agriculture & mining 1.7%
Wholesale trade 1.7%
Transportation & utilities 0.1%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts39.4%
Service23.3%
Sales & office12.1%
Natural resources & construction8.4%
Production & transportation16.8%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector67.3%
Government21.2%
Self-employed11.6%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone87.4%
Carpool5.3%
Public transit0.0%
Walk0.0%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)26.6

Poverty

All people 3.5%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 4.4%
Married-couple families 2.8%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security48.0%
Retirement income35.4%
Supplemental Security3.7%
Cash public assistance0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP1.7%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure33.7%
High cholesterol36.0%
Heart disease6.7%
Stroke3.1%
Asthma8.9%
Arthritis26.4%
Kidney disease2.9%
Pulmonary disease7.0%
Cancer6.7%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking16.7%
No physical activity20.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep34.0%
Fair or poor health12.9%
Poor mental health14.0%
Poor physical health10.3%
No health insurance15.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)78.8%
Visited dentist68.1%
Cholesterol screening90.3%
Teeth loss13.1%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans30021.3%
Disability%
Any disability23.7%
Under 1820.3%
18–64 years17.0%
65 and over39.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance77.7%
Public insurance32.8%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,750100.0%
Spanish70.4%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages70.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)1,74699.8%
Born in same state1,70897.6%
Born in different state57332.7%
Foreign born382.2%
Naturalized citizen40.2%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian42924.5%
French40623.2%
Arab1599.1%
Polish291.7%
AncestryCount%
English271.5%
Irish90.5%
Dutch90.5%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access40.6%
Internet access94.8%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Stella, NC have?
Stella, NC has one ZIP code: 28582. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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