Union Mills ZIP Codes — Rutherford County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Union Mills, North Carolina and it is 28167. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

73.56

sq mi land

0.14

sq mi water

828

area code

Union Mills, NC ZIP code map

About Union Mills, NC

Union Mills is a charming community located in Rutherford County, North Carolina. This small town offers a blend of rural tranquility and Southern hospitality. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the area's scenic beauty and rich history.

Location & geography

Union Mills is situated in the western part of North Carolina, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and rolling hills. Nearby cities include Forest City, located about 12 miles to the east, and Rutherfordton, approximately 17 miles to the southeast. The town covers a land area of 73.56 square miles, with a small water area of 0.14 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Union Mills reflects a close-knit community atmosphere where neighbors become friends. The local economy may be supported by agriculture and small businesses, contributing to a traditional lifestyle that emphasizes hard work and community values. Daily life in Union Mills includes participation in local events and engaging with the scenic outdoors of the region.

Transportation

Union Mills is accessible via several roadways, including nearby U.S. Route 74. The nearest named airport is the Rutherford County Airport, which provides local access for general aviation. Public transportation options are limited, emphasizing the town's rural setting.

History

Union Mills was founded in the mid-1800s and played a significant role in the region's agricultural development. The town has historically been centered around milling and farming, which helped shape its early economy. Key events in its history reflect the broader changes in rural North Carolina over the years.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Union Mills is that it is home to the historic Brown Family Cemetery, which dates back to the early 19th century. This site offers a glimpse into the area's past and adds to the town's character and charm.

ZIP codes for Union Mills, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28167	Union Mills	Rutherford	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,142

Population

57.2

Median age

$55,387

Median household income

$25,910

Per capita income

$205,900

Median home value

$568

Median monthly rent

96.0%

Home ownership

13.9%

Poverty rate

0.8%

Unemployment

1,196

Housing units

22.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

110

15–19

20–24

25–34

163

35–44

127

45–54

113

55–59

170

60–64

133

211

65–74

165

151

75–84

118

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	279	13.0%
18 and over	1,863	87.0%
65 and over	645	30.1%
Median age	57.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 83.3%

Black or African American 12.3%

Two or more races 1.8%

Asian 1.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,785	83.3%
Black or African American	264	12.3%
Two or more races	38	1.8%
Asian	31	1.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	24	1.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.2%

$10k–$15k 1.6%

$15k–$25k 12.1%

$25k–$35k 10.8%

$35k–$50k 13.7%

$50k–$75k 32.4%

$75k–$100k 10.3%

$100k–$150k 7.9%

$150k–$200k 6.0%

$200k+ 1.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.2%
$10k–$15k	1.6%
$15k–$25k	12.1%
$25k–$35k	10.8%
$35k–$50k	13.7%
$50k–$75k	32.4%
$75k–$100k	10.3%
$100k–$150k	7.9%
$150k–$200k	6.0%
$200k+	1.1%
Median income	$55,387

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.6%

$50k–$100k 22.2%

$100k–$150k 11.5%

$150k–$200k 11.6%

$200k–$300k 27.8%

$300k–$500k 10.4%

$500k–$1M 4.3%

$1M+ 10.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$205,900
Median rent / month	$568
Owner occupied	96.0%
Renter occupied	4.0%
Vacant	27.8%
Single-family detached	83.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	14.9%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.35

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	8.3%
2000–2009	16.0%
1990–1999	17.6%
1980–1989	22.2%
1970–1979	11.0%
1960–1969	11.4%
1950–1959	4.6%
1940–1949	7.8%
1939 or earlier	1.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	14.0%
2 bedrooms	21.3%
3 bedrooms	53.8%
4 bedrooms	10.9%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.6%
1 vehicle	29.8%
2 vehicles	27.2%
3 or more	41.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	7.1%
Electricity	67.9%
Propane / LP gas	12.2%
Fuel oil	4.4%
Wood	8.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	565	63.5%
Cohabiting couple	40	4.5%
Male householder, no spouse	141	15.8%
Female householder, no spouse	144	16.2%
Households with children under 18	141	15.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	420	47.2%
Average household size	2.36

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.1%	14.0%
Married	51.1%	63.6%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	5.6%	6.4%
Divorced	11.3%	16.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.0%

Some HS, no diploma 7.5%

HS graduate 33.2%

Some college, no degree 19.4%

Associate's degree 14.3%

Bachelor's degree 10.4%

Graduate / professional 12.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.5%
Bachelor's or higher	22.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	9	3.7%
Kindergarten	26	10.7%
Elementary school	55	22.6%
High school	118	48.6%
College / grad school	35	14.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Professional & management 19.4%

Education & healthcare 17.8%

Other services 14.8%

Manufacturing 14.0%

Retail trade 11.1%

Transportation & utilities 7.9%

Agriculture & mining 4.5%

Public administration 3.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.4%

Construction 2.2%

Finance & real estate 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	44.3%
Service	19.3%
Sales & office	15.8%
Natural resources & construction	3.5%
Production & transportation	17.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	60.3%
Government	12.3%
Self-employed	27.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.8%
Carpool	11.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	5.9%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.8

Poverty

All people 13.9%

Under 18 years 34.1%

18 and over 10.8%

Married-couple families 5.8%

Female-led households 68.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	63.6%
Retirement income	24.5%
Supplemental Security	2.4%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.3%
High cholesterol	37.9%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	4.0%
Asthma	9.5%
Arthritis	30.1%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	8.9%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.4%
No physical activity	24.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.0%
Fair or poor health	16.3%
Poor mental health	14.4%
Poor physical health	12.4%
No health insurance	17.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.0%
Visited dentist	60.4%
Cholesterol screening	90.5%
Teeth loss	16.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	238	12.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	22.6%
Under 18	2.5%
18–64 years	17.2%
65 and over	41.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	58.5%
Public insurance	44.9%
Uninsured under 19	5.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,070	96.6%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,111	98.6%
Born in same state	2,111	98.6%
Born in different state	1,518	70.9%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	31	1.4%
Not a US citizen	31	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	541	25.3%
French	162	7.6%
Italian	139	6.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	16	0.7%
Irish	14	0.7%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.5%
Internet access	94.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Union Mills, NC have?

Union Mills, NC has one ZIP code: 28167. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.