Vale ZIP Codes — Lincoln County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Vale, North Carolina and it is 28168. Area code: 704.

ZIP codes

87.04

sq mi land

0.35

sq mi water

704

area code

Vale, NC ZIP code map

About Vale, NC

Vale, North Carolina, is a charming small town located in Lincoln County. Known for its rural atmosphere, it offers a peaceful setting for residents and visitors alike. This community is characterized by its friendly residents and a close-knit way of life.

Location & geography

Vale is situated in the western part of North Carolina, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and rich natural resources. It is located approximately 14 miles south of Lincolnton, 26 miles north of Gastonia, 30 miles northwest of Charlotte, and about 50 miles east of Hickory. The town covers a land area of 87.04 square miles, with a small water area of 0.35 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Vale is defined by its agricultural roots and an inviting community atmosphere. Residents enjoy a slower, more relaxed pace of life, and local industries often revolve around farming and small businesses. Daily life in Vale reflects a strong sense of community, with local events and gatherings fostering connections among residents.

Transportation

Vale is accessible via several highways, including Highway 27 and Highway 150, making it easy to travel to neighboring cities. The nearest named airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is approximately 30 miles to the south. Public transit options are limited, reflecting the town's rural nature.

History

Vale was founded in the early part of the 19th century and has maintained its quaint charm ever since. The town's key industries have historically included agriculture and small manufacturing, contributing to its economy. Notable events in Vale's history include the establishment of local festivals that celebrate the town's heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Vale is that despite its small size, it has a rich variety of local wildlife, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts. Additionally, the town has a strong sense of local pride, often showcased through community events and celebrations.

ZIP codes for Vale, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28168	Vale	Lincoln	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,632

Population

46.5

Median age

$62,077

Median household income

$28,235

Per capita income

$163,000

Median home value

$835

Median monthly rent

84.2%

Home ownership

13.1%

Poverty rate

4.2%

Unemployment

4,076

Housing units

14.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

178

Under 5

189

392

5–9

418

290

10–14

310

347

15–19

371

211

20–24

225

490

25–34

523

511

35–44

546

804

45–54

859

324

55–59

346

461

60–64

493

681

65–74

726

360

75–84

384

85+

100

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,257	21.2%
18 and over	8,375	78.8%
65 and over	2,344	22.0%
Median age	46.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84.9%

Two or more races 5.1%

Hispanic or Latino 4.8%

Black or African American 3.8%

Other race 1.3%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	9,479	84.9%
Two or more races	569	5.1%
Hispanic or Latino	538	4.8%
Black or African American	430	3.8%
Other race	140	1.3%
Asian	14	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.7%

$10k–$15k 6.0%

$15k–$25k 9.3%

$25k–$35k 9.8%

$35k–$50k 15.0%

$50k–$75k 20.1%

$75k–$100k 14.3%

$100k–$150k 15.4%

$150k–$200k 5.6%

$200k+ 1.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.7%
$10k–$15k	6.0%
$15k–$25k	9.3%
$25k–$35k	9.8%
$35k–$50k	15.0%
$50k–$75k	20.1%
$75k–$100k	14.3%
$100k–$150k	15.4%
$150k–$200k	5.6%
$200k+	1.9%
Median income	$62,077

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.4%

$50k–$100k 21.6%

$100k–$150k 17.2%

$150k–$200k 15.6%

$200k–$300k 21.2%

$300k–$500k 13.2%

$500k–$1M 1.6%

$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$163,000
Median rent / month	$835
Owner occupied	84.2%
Renter occupied	15.8%
Vacant	11.0%
Single-family detached	70.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	29.4%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.52

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.5%
2000–2009	16.4%
1990–1999	23.1%
1980–1989	20.5%
1970–1979	11.7%
1960–1969	10.4%
1950–1959	6.4%
1940–1949	1.7%
1939 or earlier	6.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	2.4%
2 bedrooms	22.5%
3 bedrooms	61.8%
4 bedrooms	10.0%
5+ bedrooms	2.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.1%
1 vehicle	17.7%
2 vehicles	39.0%
3 or more	37.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.6%
Electricity	81.4%
Propane / LP gas	6.0%
Fuel oil	3.3%
Wood	4.0%
No fuel used	1.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,328	55.1%
Cohabiting couple	232	5.5%
Male householder, no spouse	772	18.3%
Female householder, no spouse	891	21.1%
Households with children under 18	1,381	32.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,557	36.9%
Average household size	2.52

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.2%	25.6%
Married	58.9%	53.0%
Separated	0.8%	5.7%
Widowed	4.1%	7.0%
Divorced	9.0%	8.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.7%

Some HS, no diploma 13.5%

HS graduate 36.4%

Some college, no degree 17.3%

Associate's degree 14.2%

Bachelor's degree 10.6%

Graduate / professional 4.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	82.8%
Bachelor's or higher	14.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	146	5.9%
Kindergarten	182	7.3%
Elementary school	1,048	42.3%
High school	627	25.3%
College / grad school	476	19.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.7%

Manufacturing 18.7%

Construction 10.4%

Transportation & utilities 10.4%

Retail trade 9.2%

Professional & management 8.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.7%

Finance & real estate 3.2%

Agriculture & mining 2.8%

Public administration 2.6%

Other services 2.3%

Wholesale trade 2.1%

Information 1.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	35.3%
Service	11.1%
Sales & office	15.2%
Natural resources & construction	12.7%
Production & transportation	25.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.4%
Government	13.9%
Self-employed	4.4%
Unpaid family workers	1.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.8%
Carpool	8.4%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	34.5

Poverty

All people 13.1%

Under 18 years 15.2%

18 and over 12.5%

Married-couple families 7.9%

Female-led households 18.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	41.2%
Retirement income	25.6%
Supplemental Security	7.9%
Cash public assistance	2.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.8%
High cholesterol	35.1%
Heart disease	6.9%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	26.6%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	7.9%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.9%
No physical activity	23.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.3%
Fair or poor health	14.5%
Poor mental health	15.1%
Poor physical health	11.4%
No health insurance	17.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.4%
Visited dentist	64.3%
Cholesterol screening	89.2%
Teeth loss	15.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	578	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.5%
Under 18	10.8%
18–64 years	16.8%
65 and over	43.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.8%
Public insurance	46.8%
Uninsured under 19	2.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	10,265	96.5%
Spanish	102	1.0%
Other Indo-European	102	1.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	10,147	95.4%
Born in same state	10,110	95.1%
Born in different state	7,716	72.6%
Foreign born	37	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	485	4.6%
Not a US citizen	208	42.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,726	16.2%
French	907	8.5%
Italian	753	7.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	83	0.8%
English	68	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.7%
Internet access	90.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Vale, NC have?

Vale, NC has one ZIP code: 28168. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.