Washington ZIP Code List — Beaufort County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Washington, North Carolina and it is 27889. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

176.13

sq mi land

12.22

sq mi water

252

area code

Washington, NC ZIP code map

About Washington, NC

Washington, North Carolina, is a charming city situated in Beaufort County. Known for its picturesque waterfront and rich history, Washington offers a unique blend of Southern hospitality and modern conveniences. This city is also a hub for local culture, making it a delightful place to live and visit.

Location & geography

Located in the eastern part of North Carolina, Washington lies approximately 50 miles southwest of Norfolk, Virginia, and 80 miles northeast of Wilmington, North Carolina. The city is bordered by the beautiful Pamlico River, with a land area of 176.13 square miles and an additional 12.22 square miles of water. This unique geography provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities and scenic views.

Community & economy

The character of Washington is defined by its warm community spirit and commitment to preserving its historical heritage. The economy is primarily driven by industries such as agriculture, fishing, and manufacturing, which contribute to the local economy. Daily life in Washington is enriched by various cultural events and recreational activities that reflect the city's strong community ties.

Transportation

Washington is accessible via U.S. Highway 17, which connects it to neighboring cities and regions. The nearest major airport is the Pitt-Greenville Airport, located approximately 30 miles from the city, providing convenient access for both residents and visitors traveling to and from Washington.

History

Founded in 1776, Washington has grown from a small settlement into a vibrant city known for its historical significance in the region. Key industries during its early years included shipbuilding and trade, which positioned Washington as an important economic hub. Over the years, the city has hosted several notable events and has maintained its historical charm through well-preserved architecture.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Washington, NC is that it is often referred to as the 'Original Washington' because it was named after George Washington even before the more famous Washington, D.C. Additionally, the city boasts one of the longest waterfronts in the state, enhancing its appeal as a destination for waterfront activities.

ZIP codes for Washington, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27889	Washington	Beaufort	View map

Demographics & statistics

24,515

Population

46.9

Median age

$49,382

Median household income

$32,960

Per capita income

$159,800

Median home value

$823

Median monthly rent

62.9%

Home ownership

18.8%

Poverty rate

5.7%

Unemployment

8,712

Housing units

19.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

576

Under 5

638

571

5–9

634

615

10–14

682

637

15–19

707

671

20–24

744

1,191

25–34

1,320

1,190

35–44

1,320

1,527

45–54

1,693

850

55–59

943

1,030

60–64

1,141

1,523

65–74

1,688

913

75–84

1,013

331

85+

367

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	4,618	18.8%
18 and over	19,897	81.2%
65 and over	5,835	23.8%
Median age	46.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 63.4%

Black or African American 26.6%

Two or more races 4.4%

Hispanic or Latino 3.2%

Other race 2.1%

Asian 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	16,040	63.4%
Black or African American	6,723	26.6%
Two or more races	1,105	4.4%
Hispanic or Latino	799	3.2%
Other race	541	2.1%
Asian	87	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	19	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.9%

$10k–$15k 8.2%

$15k–$25k 13.2%

$25k–$35k 10.6%

$35k–$50k 13.6%

$50k–$75k 19.9%

$75k–$100k 8.8%

$100k–$150k 10.0%

$150k–$200k 6.5%

$200k+ 4.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.9%
$10k–$15k	8.2%
$15k–$25k	13.2%
$25k–$35k	10.6%
$35k–$50k	13.6%
$50k–$75k	19.9%
$75k–$100k	8.8%
$100k–$150k	10.0%
$150k–$200k	6.5%
$200k+	4.4%
Median income	$49,382

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.7%

$50k–$100k 15.9%

$100k–$150k 16.8%

$150k–$200k 18.3%

$200k–$300k 22.5%

$300k–$500k 9.9%

$500k–$1M 4.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$159,800
Median rent / month	$823
Owner occupied	62.9%
Renter occupied	37.1%
Vacant	15.0%
Single-family detached	60.2%
Large apartment buildings	1.6%
Mobile homes	24.4%
Median rooms	5.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.29

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	7.6%
2000–2009	10.8%
1990–1999	13.3%
1980–1989	17.1%
1970–1979	17.1%
1960–1969	10.3%
1950–1959	11.1%
1940–1949	3.7%
1939 or earlier	9.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.6%
1 bedroom	5.0%
2 bedrooms	24.5%
3 bedrooms	54.9%
4 bedrooms	11.7%
5+ bedrooms	3.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.0%
1 vehicle	33.5%
2 vehicles	35.4%
3 or more	24.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	21.6%
Electricity	56.6%
Propane / LP gas	17.9%
Fuel oil	2.0%
Wood	0.6%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,774	44.2%
Cohabiting couple	564	5.2%
Male householder, no spouse	1,852	17.1%
Female householder, no spouse	3,623	33.5%
Households with children under 18	2,683	24.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,975	36.8%
Average household size	2.22

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.6%	26.0%
Married	52.7%	43.8%
Separated	2.3%	3.2%
Widowed	4.4%	12.3%
Divorced	8.9%	14.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.7%

Some HS, no diploma 8.8%

HS graduate 29.2%

Some college, no degree 25.4%

Associate's degree 11.3%

Bachelor's degree 12.5%

Graduate / professional 7.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.5%
Bachelor's or higher	19.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	233	5.6%
Kindergarten	51	1.2%
Elementary school	2,084	49.9%
High school	1,157	27.7%
College / grad school	653	15.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.9%

Manufacturing 15.4%

Construction 10.7%

Other services 8.5%

Public administration 8.4%

Retail trade 7.8%

Professional & management 7.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.3%

Finance & real estate 6.0%

Transportation & utilities 2.6%

Wholesale trade 1.6%

Agriculture & mining 1.2%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.6%
Service	17.3%
Sales & office	14.5%
Natural resources & construction	14.2%
Production & transportation	20.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.0%
Government	19.2%
Self-employed	5.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.3%
Carpool	5.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.7%
Other means	1.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.8

Poverty

All people 18.8%

Under 18 years 34.7%

18 and over 15.1%

Married-couple families 4.7%

Female-led households 41.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.6%
Retirement income	25.7%
Supplemental Security	7.6%
Cash public assistance	1.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.3%
High cholesterol	35.8%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	4.5%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	29.0%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	9.0%
Cancer	7.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.4%
No physical activity	27.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.6%
Fair or poor health	19.0%
Poor mental health	15.1%
Poor physical health	13.2%
No health insurance	20.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	80.4%
Visited dentist	58.0%
Cholesterol screening	89.7%
Teeth loss	18.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,754	8.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.0%
Under 18	6.0%
18–64 years	14.7%
65 and over	40.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	59.2%
Public insurance	45.7%
Uninsured under 19	4.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	23,301	95.0%
Spanish	805	3.5%
Other Indo-European	603	2.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	115	0.5%
Other languages	87	0.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	23,491	95.8%
Born in same state	23,348	95.2%
Born in different state	17,788	72.6%
Foreign born	143	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	1,024	4.2%
Not a US citizen	349	34.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	3,102	12.7%
Italian	1,844	7.5%
Arab	1,562	6.4%
Polish	164	0.7%
English	119	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	27	0.1%
German	23	0.1%
Dutch	20	0.1%
Irish	12	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.1%
Internet access	89.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Washington, NC?

Washington, NC has one ZIP code: 27889.

What is the main ZIP code for Washington, NC?

The primary ZIP code for Washington, NC is 27889. The city uses area code 252 for phone service.

What county is Washington, NC in?

Washington is located in Beaufort County, North Carolina.

How many ZIP codes are in Washington, NC?

Washington, NC has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers downtown Washington and the historic waterfront district along the Pamlico River?

Downtown Washington and the historic waterfront area are located in ZIP code 27889, which serves as the primary ZIP code for this charming Beaufort County seat.

What is the ZIP code for the Washington area that includes the North Carolina Maritime Museum?

The North Carolina Maritime Museum and surrounding downtown Washington area are in ZIP code 27889, the only ZIP code serving this historic coastal community.