Tarawa Terrace ZIP Code List — Onslow County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Tarawa Terrace, North Carolina and it is 28543. Area code: 910.

ZIP codes

4.58

sq mi land

1.52

sq mi water

910

area code

Tarawa Terrace, NC ZIP code map

About Tarawa Terrace, NC

Tarawa Terrace is a small community located in Onslow County, North Carolina. It is known for its proximity to marine facilities and military installations, giving it a unique character. The area combines residential living with the vibrancy of a community that supports service members and their families.

Location & geography

Situated in the coastal plains of North Carolina, Tarawa Terrace spans a land area of 9.16 square miles and includes 3.04 square miles of water. Nearby cities include Jacksonville, located just 5 miles to the southwest, Swansboro about 12 miles to the east, and Hubert approximately 10 miles to the northwest. The terrain around Tarawa Terrace is characterized by a mix of woodlands and waterways, contributing to its serene environment.

Community & economy

The community of Tarawa Terrace is characterized by a strong military presence, given its proximity to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Residents enjoy a laid-back lifestyle with a blend of local businesses catering to both families and service members. Daily life is deeply enriched by community events and outdoor activities, reflecting the area’s welcoming spirit.

Transportation

Tarawa Terrace is easily accessible via U.S. Route 17, which connects to major regional highways and nearby cities. The nearest named airports include Albert J. Ellis Airport, located about 16 miles away, providing regional flight services.

History

Tarawa Terrace was established to provide housing for military families near the Marine Corps Base, symbolizing the community's dedication to supporting service members. The installation of infrastructure and amenities over the years has significantly shaped the area's development. Notable events include community celebrations that honor military traditions and local culture.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Tarawa Terrace is its close-knit community culture that often hosts family-friendly events, showcasing local talent. Additionally, the area's name pays homage to the historic Battle of Tarawa during World War II, reflecting its military heritage.

ZIP codes for Tarawa Terrace, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28543	Tarawa Terrace	Onslow	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,841

Population

21.7

Median age

$40,343

Median household income

$19,210

Per capita income

$184,100

Median home value

$1,363

Median monthly rent

3.7%

Home ownership

13.0%

Poverty rate

10.4%

Unemployment

452

Housing units

37.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

470

Under 5

277

267

5–9

157

262

10–14

155

561

15–19

331

1,583

20–24

934

904

25–34

534

184

35–44

109

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,610	23.5%
18 and over	5,231	76.5%
65 and over	30	0.4%
Median age	21.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 63.3%

Black or African American 22.4%

Two or more races 7.1%

Hispanic or Latino 3.7%

Asian 2%

Other race 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	4,498	63.3%
Black or African American	1,592	22.4%
Two or more races	503	7.1%
Hispanic or Latino	260	3.7%
Asian	140	2%
Other race	72	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	36	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 3.2%

$10k–$15k 0.2%

$15k–$25k 15.9%

$25k–$35k 19.9%

$35k–$50k 25.3%

$50k–$75k 24.8%

$75k–$100k 6.4%

$100k–$150k 2.6%

$150k–$200k 1.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.2%
$10k–$15k	0.2%
$15k–$25k	15.9%
$25k–$35k	19.9%
$35k–$50k	25.3%
$50k–$75k	24.8%
$75k–$100k	6.4%
$100k–$150k	2.6%
$150k–$200k	1.8%
Median income	$40,343

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 23.2%

$50k–$100k 11.6%

$150k–$200k 42.0%

$200k–$300k 23.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$184,100
Median rent / month	$1,363
Owner occupied	3.7%
Renter occupied	96.3%
Vacant	17.1%
Single-family detached	8.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	1.35

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	28.2%
2000–2009	48.5%
1990–1999	14.4%
1980–1989	2.3%
1970–1979	3.2%
1960–1969	0.0%
1950–1959	1.7%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	1.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	1.0%
2 bedrooms	30.2%
3 bedrooms	62.7%
4 bedrooms	6.1%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.4%
1 vehicle	34.2%
2 vehicles	57.9%
3 or more	7.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	14.4%
Electricity	81.1%
Propane / LP gas	0.4%
Solar	4.0%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,603	86.0%
Cohabiting couple	34	1.8%
Male householder, no spouse	94	5.0%
Female householder, no spouse	132	7.1%
Households with children under 18	1,085	58.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	15	0.8%
Average household size	2.87

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	41.7%	8.8%
Married	56.2%	85.6%
Separated	0.3%	1.4%
Widowed	0.0%	0.1%
Divorced	1.8%	4.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 4.1%

HS graduate 20.2%

Some college, no degree 27.5%

Associate's degree 10.7%

Bachelor's degree 34.7%

Graduate / professional 2.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.9%
Bachelor's or higher	37.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	65	3.9%
Kindergarten	38	2.3%
Elementary school	617	37.0%
High school	48	2.9%
College / grad school	900	54.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 43.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 21.3%

Manufacturing 9.6%

Construction 6.6%

Professional & management 4.6%

Public administration 4.6%

Retail trade 4.1%

Transportation & utilities 3.6%

Finance & real estate 1.5%

Other services 0.6%

Information 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	39.1%
Service	22.1%
Sales & office	21.5%
Natural resources & construction	7.2%
Production & transportation	10.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	51.1%
Government	44.0%
Self-employed	4.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	63.8%
Carpool	10.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	18.3%
Other means	0.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.5

Poverty

All people 13.0%

Under 18 years 15.0%

18 and over 12.2%

Married-couple families 15.1%

Female-led households 9.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	1.1%
Retirement income	2.7%
Supplemental Security	0.3%
Cash public assistance	1.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	13.9%
High cholesterol	13.3%
Heart disease	1.2%
Stroke	0.8%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	7.0%
Kidney disease	1.0%
Pulmonary disease	2.7%
Cancer	1.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	24.1%
No physical activity	19.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	38.3%
Fair or poor health	9.5%
Poor mental health	20.9%
Poor physical health	6.5%
No health insurance	22.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.9%
Visited dentist	59.2%
Cholesterol screening	73.8%
Teeth loss	21.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	381	15.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.1%
Under 18	2.9%
18–64 years	17.9%
65 and over	46.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	91.4%
Public insurance	16.0%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,094	89.1%
Spanish	64	1.1%
Other Indo-European	52	0.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	12	0.2%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	6,664	97.4%
Born in same state	6,577	96.1%
Born in different state	792	11.6%
Foreign born	87	1.3%
Naturalized citizen	177	2.6%
Not a US citizen	83	46.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	886	13%
French	717	10.5%
Arab	277	4%
German	207	3%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	108	1.6%
Irish	84	1.2%
Polish	14	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	27.2%
Internet access	99.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Tarawa Terrace, NC?

Tarawa Terrace, NC has one ZIP code: 28543.

What is the main ZIP code for Tarawa Terrace, NC?

The primary ZIP code for Tarawa Terrace, NC is 28543. The city uses area code 910 for phone service.

What county is Tarawa Terrace, NC in?

Tarawa Terrace is located in Onslow County, North Carolina.

How many ZIP codes are in Tarawa Terrace, NC?

Tarawa Terrace, NC has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for Tarawa Terrace, the residential community in Onslow County near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune?

Tarawa Terrace is located in ZIP code 28543, which serves this military-affiliated residential area in Onslow County, North Carolina.

If I'm sending mail to a business or residence in Tarawa Terrace near the base housing area, what ZIP code should I use?

You should use ZIP code 28543 for all mail addressed to Tarawa Terrace, which is the single ZIP code that covers this entire community in Onslow County.