Sylva ZIP Codes — Jackson County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Sylva, North Carolina and it is 28779. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

108.01

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

828

area code

Sylva, NC ZIP code map

About Sylva, NC

Sylva, North Carolina, is a charming town nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant community, Sylva serves as the county seat of Jackson County. Visitors and residents alike enjoy its picturesque landscapes and a variety of recreational activities that showcase the area's rich natural resources.

Location & geography

Sylva is located in the western part of North Carolina and is approximately 30 miles west of Asheville, NC. The town is surrounded by breathtaking mountainous terrain and lush forests, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. With a land area of 108.01 square miles and no water area, Sylva offers ample space for hiking, biking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Community & economy

The community in Sylva is known for its friendly residents and strong sense of local pride. The economy is diverse, with a mix of small businesses, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries playing significant roles. Daily life in Sylva often revolves around community events, local dining establishments, and cultural happenings that reflect the town's rich heritage.

Transportation

Sylva is accessible via U.S. Highway 441, which connects it to nearby towns and major highways. The nearest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, located about 50 miles to the east, providing options for air travel. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary means of transit.

History

Sylva was founded in the late 19th century and quickly became an important hub for the wooden and textile industries in the region. As the town developed, it also embraced the flourishing tourism tied to the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. Notable events in its history include the establishment of various cultural institutions that continue to enrich the community today.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Sylva is that it is home to the historic Jackson County Courthouse, a prominent landmark that has served the community since 1914. Additionally, the town is known for hosting several annual festivals that celebrate its heritage and natural surroundings.

ZIP codes for Sylva, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28779	Sylva	Jackson	View map

Demographics & statistics

18,421

Population

42.9

Median age

$53,470

Median household income

$31,298

Per capita income

$224,600

Median home value

$745

Median monthly rent

65.0%

Home ownership

16.3%

Poverty rate

2.6%

Unemployment

6,857

Housing units

29.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

442

Under 5

458

580

5–9

601

508

10–14

527

428

15–19

444

581

20–24

602

1,080

25–34

1,121

1,148

35–44

1,191

1,208

45–54

1,253

404

55–59

420

654

60–64

679

1,283

65–74

1,331

542

75–84

562

184

85+

190

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,847	20.9%
18 and over	14,574	79.1%
65 and over	4,092	22.2%
Median age	42.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 86.8%

Two or more races 5.1%

Hispanic or Latino 2.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.9%

Other race 1.3%

Asian 1.2%

Black or African American 0.8%

Group	Count	%
White	16,467	86.8%
Two or more races	959	5.1%
Hispanic or Latino	544	2.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	351	1.9%
Other race	255	1.3%
Asian	235	1.2%
Black or African American	154	0.8%

Household income

Under $10k 5.9%

$10k–$15k 8.4%

$15k–$25k 7.2%

$25k–$35k 11.7%

$35k–$50k 13.5%

$50k–$75k 16.8%

$75k–$100k 15.7%

$100k–$150k 14.1%

$150k–$200k 4.2%

$200k+ 2.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.9%
$10k–$15k	8.4%
$15k–$25k	7.2%
$25k–$35k	11.7%
$35k–$50k	13.5%
$50k–$75k	16.8%
$75k–$100k	15.7%
$100k–$150k	14.1%
$150k–$200k	4.2%
$200k+	2.3%
Median income	$53,470

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.6%

$50k–$100k 5.9%

$100k–$150k 14.2%

$150k–$200k 18.3%

$200k–$300k 34.3%

$300k–$500k 20.0%

$500k–$1M 3.7%

$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$224,600
Median rent / month	$745
Owner occupied	65.0%
Renter occupied	35.0%
Vacant	15.6%
Single-family detached	69.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.4%
Mobile homes	21.4%
Median rooms	4.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.24

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	4.8%
2000–2009	17.7%
1990–1999	16.4%
1980–1989	21.4%
1970–1979	14.3%
1960–1969	7.3%
1950–1959	4.9%
1940–1949	5.6%
1939 or earlier	7.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.7%
1 bedroom	6.6%
2 bedrooms	33.6%
3 bedrooms	48.0%
4 bedrooms	7.3%
5+ bedrooms	0.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.8%
1 vehicle	32.4%
2 vehicles	38.0%
3 or more	24.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.8%
Electricity	70.8%
Propane / LP gas	17.3%
Fuel oil	5.4%
Wood	3.4%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,830	46.6%
Cohabiting couple	503	6.1%
Male householder, no spouse	1,531	18.6%
Female householder, no spouse	2,350	28.6%
Households with children under 18	1,738	21.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,856	34.8%
Average household size	2.22

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.2%	21.5%
Married	51.3%	52.1%
Separated	1.8%	2.9%
Widowed	2.2%	10.5%
Divorced	12.4%	12.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.5%

Some HS, no diploma 3.5%

HS graduate 29.7%

Some college, no degree 20.5%

Associate's degree 13.3%

Bachelor's degree 17.5%

Graduate / professional 11.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.0%
Bachelor's or higher	29.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	121	3.1%
Kindergarten	269	6.9%
Elementary school	1,747	45.1%
High school	844	21.8%
College / grad school	896	23.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 38.2%

Retail trade 11.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.1%

Other services 7.5%

Construction 6.4%

Professional & management 5.7%

Public administration 5.0%

Manufacturing 4.4%

Finance & real estate 3.9%

Transportation & utilities 3.4%

Information 2.0%

Wholesale trade 1.4%

Agriculture & mining 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	37.0%
Service	27.0%
Sales & office	15.7%
Natural resources & construction	10.3%
Production & transportation	10.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	65.0%
Government	27.2%
Self-employed	7.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	86.2%
Carpool	6.3%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	1.8%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.8

Poverty

All people 16.3%

Under 18 years 26.6%

18 and over 13.8%

Married-couple families 3.6%

Female-led households 42.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.8%
Retirement income	26.6%
Supplemental Security	5.2%
Cash public assistance	1.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.0%
High cholesterol	36.8%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.2%
Arthritis	26.9%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	7.6%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.7%
No physical activity	20.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.9%
Fair or poor health	13.5%
Poor mental health	14.1%
Poor physical health	10.9%
No health insurance	15.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.1%
Visited dentist	65.7%
Cholesterol screening	90.1%
Teeth loss	13.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,463	10.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.6%
Under 18	1.7%
18–64 years	12.5%
65 and over	28.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	66.0%
Public insurance	39.6%
Uninsured under 19	7.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	17,521	95.1%
Spanish	263	1.5%
Other Indo-European	150	0.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	101	0.6%
Other languages	12	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	17,809	96.7%
Born in same state	17,723	96.2%
Born in different state	11,273	61.2%
Foreign born	86	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	612	3.3%
Not a US citizen	253	41.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	3,297	17.9%
French	3,144	17.1%
Italian	1,704	9.3%
English	248	1.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	73	0.4%
Dutch	15	0.1%
German	11	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.6%
Internet access	93.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Sylva, NC have?

Sylva, NC has one ZIP code: 28779. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.