Swannanoa ZIP Code List — Buncombe County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Swannanoa, North Carolina and it is 28778. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

32.48

sq mi land

0.11

sq mi water

828

area code

Swannanoa, NC ZIP code map

About Swannanoa, NC

Swannanoa is a charming community located in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this scenic town is known for its beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage. The area offers a perfect blend of outdoor activities and a close-knit community atmosphere.

Location & geography

Swannanoa is situated approximately 10 miles east of Asheville, making it a desirable location for those who enjoy both city amenities and peaceful mountain living. The town covers a land area of 32.48 square miles, with a small water area of 0.11 square miles. The terrain is characterized by its rolling hills and stunning mountain views, creating a picturesque backdrop for residents and visitors alike.

Community & economy

Swannanoa has a welcoming and friendly character, where residents take pride in their small-town charm. The local economy is supported by a mix of industries, including retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation. Daily life in Swannanoa often revolves around community events, outdoor adventures, and enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds the area.

Transportation

Swannanoa is easily accessible via Interstate 40, which runs nearby and connects to major highways in the region. The nearest airport is Asheville Regional Airport, located approximately 15 miles to the southwest, offering convenient travel options. Public transport is limited, but residents often rely on personal vehicles for commuting and travel.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Swannanoa began as a small railroad town that supported the agricultural economy of Buncombe County. The town's early industries included timber and textile manufacturing, which contributed to its growth. Over the years, Swannanoa has maintained its historical charm while adapting to the needs of its residents.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Swannanoa is the presence of the historic Swannanoa Valley Museum, which showcases the area’s cultural heritage. Additionally, the town is located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, a well-known scenic highway that attracts numerous tourists each year.

ZIP codes for Swannanoa, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28778	Swannanoa	Buncombe	View map

Demographics & statistics

11,776

Population

41.9

Median age

$67,992

Median household income

$28,038

Per capita income

$227,700

Median home value

$990

Median monthly rent

79.9%

Home ownership

13.2%

Poverty rate

1.2%

Unemployment

4,079

Housing units

30.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

282

Under 5

321

421

5–9

481

155

10–14

178

332

15–19

380

332

20–24

380

664

25–34

757

751

35–44

857

540

45–54

616

392

55–59

448

657

60–64

749

556

65–74

635

285

75–84

326

131

85+

150

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,994	16.9%
18 and over	9,782	83.1%
65 and over	2,083	17.7%
Median age	41.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 82.9%

Two or more races 6.5%

Hispanic or Latino 5.3%

Black or African American 4.3%

Other race 0.5%

Asian 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	10,317	82.9%
Two or more races	811	6.5%
Hispanic or Latino	665	5.3%
Black or African American	538	4.3%
Other race	57	0.5%
Asian	51	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 2.6%

$10k–$15k 4.2%

$15k–$25k 8.4%

$25k–$35k 6.8%

$35k–$50k 14.5%

$50k–$75k 22.2%

$75k–$100k 18.5%

$100k–$150k 16.5%

$150k–$200k 2.4%

$200k+ 4.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.6%
$10k–$15k	4.2%
$15k–$25k	8.4%
$25k–$35k	6.8%
$35k–$50k	14.5%
$50k–$75k	22.2%
$75k–$100k	18.5%
$100k–$150k	16.5%
$150k–$200k	2.4%
$200k+	4.0%
Median income	$67,992

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.8%

$50k–$100k 6.7%

$100k–$150k 7.7%

$150k–$200k 17.5%

$200k–$300k 30.0%

$300k–$500k 24.6%

$500k–$1M 6.2%

$1M+ 1.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$227,700
Median rent / month	$990
Owner occupied	79.9%
Renter occupied	20.1%
Vacant	21.0%
Single-family detached	72.6%
Large apartment buildings	1.3%
Mobile homes	18.6%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.79

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	2.7%
2010–2019	4.6%
2000–2009	20.0%
1990–1999	14.1%
1980–1989	17.6%
1970–1979	14.6%
1960–1969	7.3%
1950–1959	4.8%
1940–1949	4.4%
1939 or earlier	10.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.4%
1 bedroom	5.3%
2 bedrooms	29.1%
3 bedrooms	53.4%
4 bedrooms	6.5%
5+ bedrooms	2.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.6%
1 vehicle	29.0%
2 vehicles	51.7%
3 or more	16.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	9.5%
Electricity	73.4%
Propane / LP gas	6.1%
Fuel oil	7.4%
Wood	3.2%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,877	49.0%
Cohabiting couple	498	13.0%
Male householder, no spouse	664	17.3%
Female householder, no spouse	791	20.7%
Households with children under 18	981	25.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,309	34.2%
Average household size	2.85

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	36.6%	38.4%
Married	40.0%	37.4%
Separated	1.7%	0.6%
Widowed	6.6%	13.7%
Divorced	15.1%	9.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 11.0%

Some HS, no diploma 3.6%

HS graduate 31.7%

Some college, no degree 14.6%

Associate's degree 8.3%

Bachelor's degree 19.5%

Graduate / professional 11.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.4%
Bachelor's or higher	30.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	128	5.2%
Kindergarten	123	5.0%
Elementary school	738	30.3%
High school	279	11.4%
College / grad school	1,171	48.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 14.5%

Retail trade 13.3%

Professional & management 10.2%

Manufacturing 8.9%

Other services 8.7%

Construction 7.5%

Transportation & utilities 4.5%

Finance & real estate 3.3%

Public administration 2.5%

Information 2.3%

Agriculture & mining 1.6%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.3%
Service	28.8%
Sales & office	18.8%
Natural resources & construction	8.8%
Production & transportation	9.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.8%
Government	13.9%
Self-employed	6.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.7%
Carpool	3.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	4.4%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.3

Poverty

All people 13.2%

Under 18 years 29.8%

18 and over 9.6%

Married-couple families 6.5%

Female-led households 27.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.6%
Retirement income	31.9%
Supplemental Security	3.3%
Cash public assistance	0.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.3%
High cholesterol	30.9%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	24.8%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.7%
Cancer	6.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.7%
No physical activity	19.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.9%
Fair or poor health	12.0%
Poor mental health	14.7%
Poor physical health	10.0%
No health insurance	16.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.5%
Visited dentist	65.1%
Cholesterol screening	88.2%
Teeth loss	13.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,169	12.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.4%
Under 18	4.3%
18–64 years	22.0%
65 and over	36.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.5%
Public insurance	38.1%
Uninsured under 19	16.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	11,173	94.9%
Spanish	400	3.6%
Other Indo-European	373	3.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	2	0.0%
Other languages	21	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	11,406	96.9%
Born in same state	11,261	95.6%
Born in different state	6,667	56.6%
Foreign born	145	1.2%
Naturalized citizen	370	3.1%
Not a US citizen	156	42.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	3,335	28.3%
Italian	932	7.9%
Arab	854	7.3%
Polish	66	0.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	42	0.4%
German	35	0.3%
Norwegian	12	0.1%
English	10	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	32.5%
Internet access	87.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Swannanoa, NC?

Swannanoa, NC has one ZIP code: 28778.

What is the main ZIP code for Swannanoa, NC?

The primary ZIP code for Swannanoa, NC is 28778. The city uses area code 828 for phone service.

What county is Swannanoa, NC in?

Swannanoa is located in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

How many ZIP codes are in Swannanoa, NC?

Swannanoa, NC has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers the Warren Wilson College campus area in Swannanoa?

Warren Wilson College, located in Swannanoa, is served by ZIP code 28778, which covers this prominent educational institution and the surrounding community areas.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Swannanoa and the main residential areas along NC-70?

The downtown Swannanoa area and neighborhoods along NC-70 are all located within ZIP code 28778, which is the sole ZIP code serving this Buncombe County community.