Tarboro ZIP Codes — Edgecombe County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Tarboro, North Carolina and it is 27886. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

191.48

sq mi land

0.95

sq mi water

252

area code

Tarboro, NC ZIP code map

About Tarboro, NC

Tarboro is a historic town located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, known for its charming southern atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. With its picturesque streets, Tarboro offers a glimpse into North Carolina's past through its preserved architecture and local events. The town is also recognized for its vibrant community and family-friendly environment.

Location & geography

Situated approximately 20 miles southwest of Roanoke Rapids and about 50 miles northeast of the bustling city of Raleigh, Tarboro is accessible and conveniently located. The total land area of Tarboro measures 191.48 square miles, punctuated by a minor water area of 0.95 square miles. The town features a range of terrain, including scenic stretches along the Tar River, which provide beautiful views and recreational opportunities.

Community & economy

The character of Tarboro is defined by its warm, inviting community and a strong sense of local history that is celebrated through various festivals and events. A mix of agriculture and retail industries shapes the local economy, offering residents access to essential services while also promoting small business growth. Daily life in Tarboro revolves around family-friendly activities, local dining establishments, and community gatherings, making it a lively place to reside.

Transportation

Tarboro is well-connected by highways, with U.S. Route 64 and North Carolina Highway 33 traversing the area, facilitating travel to nearby cities and regions. The nearest major airport is the Pitt-Greenville Airport, located approximately 30 miles away, providing access to domestic flights. Public transit options in the area may be limited, but residents often rely on personal transportation for their commuting needs.

History

Tarboro was founded in the late 18th century and has a storied past that includes being a significant trade and transportation hub in the region. Key industries initially revolved around agriculture, with the town's rich soil supporting various crops. Notable events in its history include its recognition as a site for Civil War encampments, which adds to the town's historical significance.

Did you know?

An interesting fact about Tarboro is that it is home to the historic Tarboro Town Common, which features the oldest known sycamore tree in the United States that dates back over 200 years. Additionally, the town has a vibrant arts scene, showcasing local talent and creative expression through various festivals.

ZIP codes for Tarboro, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27886	Tarboro	Edgecombe	View map

Demographics & statistics

18,341

Population

45.5

Median age

$47,766

Median household income

$28,970

Per capita income

$115,100

Median home value

$677

Median monthly rent

67.5%

Home ownership

21.7%

Poverty rate

4.0%

Unemployment

6,330

Housing units

19.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

438

Under 5

533

629

5–9

766

431

10–14

525

488

15–19

594

347

20–24

423

932

25–34

1,136

812

35–44

989

868

45–54

1,058

549

55–59

668

761

60–64

928

1,227

65–74

1,495

530

75–84

645

257

85+

312

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	4,021	21.9%
18 and over	14,320	78.1%
65 and over	4,466	24.3%
Median age	45.5 years

Race & ethnicity

Black or African American 44.4%

White 43.2%

Hispanic or Latino 5.4%

Other race 4.6%

Two or more races 2.3%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
Black or African American	8,616	44.4%
White	8,376	43.2%
Hispanic or Latino	1,044	5.4%
Other race	891	4.6%
Two or more races	445	2.3%
Asian	13	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 10.8%

$10k–$15k 4.9%

$15k–$25k 13.3%

$25k–$35k 11.2%

$35k–$50k 13.3%

$50k–$75k 12.4%

$75k–$100k 12.9%

$100k–$150k 11.7%

$150k–$200k 4.9%

$200k+ 4.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	10.8%
$10k–$15k	4.9%
$15k–$25k	13.3%
$25k–$35k	11.2%
$35k–$50k	13.3%
$50k–$75k	12.4%
$75k–$100k	12.9%
$100k–$150k	11.7%
$150k–$200k	4.9%
$200k+	4.6%
Median income	$47,766

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.8%

$50k–$100k 26.0%

$100k–$150k 26.3%

$150k–$200k 12.0%

$200k–$300k 12.5%

$300k–$500k 6.4%

$500k–$1M 1.1%

$1M+ 1.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$115,100
Median rent / month	$677
Owner occupied	67.5%
Renter occupied	32.5%
Vacant	12.4%
Single-family detached	60.2%
Large apartment buildings	1.7%
Mobile homes	21.9%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.40

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	4.7%
2000–2009	12.7%
1990–1999	20.7%
1980–1989	8.3%
1970–1979	19.6%
1960–1969	12.0%
1950–1959	8.5%
1940–1949	6.2%
1939 or earlier	7.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.5%
1 bedroom	3.7%
2 bedrooms	27.9%
3 bedrooms	51.7%
4 bedrooms	12.6%
5+ bedrooms	2.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.6%
1 vehicle	33.2%
2 vehicles	29.4%
3 or more	25.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	36.4%
Electricity	49.5%
Propane / LP gas	12.2%
Fuel oil	1.4%
Wood	0.2%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,957	38.2%
Cohabiting couple	528	6.8%
Male householder, no spouse	1,260	16.3%
Female householder, no spouse	2,999	38.7%
Households with children under 18	2,246	29.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,178	41.0%
Average household size	2.29

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	34.0%	31.8%
Married	46.5%	37.5%
Separated	2.7%	2.0%
Widowed	4.1%	15.3%
Divorced	12.7%	13.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.3%

Some HS, no diploma 10.0%

HS graduate 35.2%

Some college, no degree 21.9%

Associate's degree 8.0%

Bachelor's degree 13.3%

Graduate / professional 6.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	84.7%
Bachelor's or higher	19.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	243	6.1%
Kindergarten	367	9.2%
Elementary school	1,745	43.8%
High school	949	23.8%
College / grad school	677	17.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.2%

Manufacturing 19.7%

Retail trade 11.8%

Construction 7.1%

Professional & management 6.5%

Public administration 5.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.3%

Finance & real estate 4.8%

Agriculture & mining 3.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.3%

Other services 3.2%

Wholesale trade 2.7%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	29.0%
Service	21.1%
Sales & office	17.9%
Natural resources & construction	8.5%
Production & transportation	23.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.4%
Government	15.5%
Self-employed	3.6%
Unpaid family workers	1.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.2%
Carpool	8.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.2%
Other means	1.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.4

Poverty

All people 21.7%

Under 18 years 38.6%

18 and over 16.8%

Married-couple families 4.6%

Female-led households 46.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	45.5%
Retirement income	30.7%
Supplemental Security	7.2%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	21.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	43.4%
High cholesterol	36.0%
Heart disease	8.3%
Stroke	5.1%
Asthma	10.9%
Arthritis	30.9%
Kidney disease	4.2%
Pulmonary disease	9.3%
Cancer	6.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.7%
No physical activity	30.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.2%
Fair or poor health	21.9%
Poor mental health	15.7%
Poor physical health	14.3%
No health insurance	23.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	81.9%
Visited dentist	53.4%
Cholesterol screening	89.8%
Teeth loss	22.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,289	9.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.3%
Under 18	3.9%
18–64 years	13.9%
65 and over	33.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	56.1%
Public insurance	51.1%
Uninsured under 19	6.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	17,370	94.7%
Spanish	732	4.2%
Other Indo-European	720	4.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	12	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	17,240	94.0%
Born in same state	17,131	93.4%
Born in different state	14,324	78.1%
Foreign born	109	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	1,101	6.0%
Not a US citizen	284	25.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	2,113	11.5%
French	1,575	8.6%
Italian	703	3.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	37	0.2%
German	6	0%
Polish	6	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.2%
Internet access	84.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Tarboro, NC have?

Tarboro, NC has one ZIP code: 27886. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.