Waynesville ZIP Codes — Haywood County, NC

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Waynesville, North Carolina. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

241.33

sq mi land

0.47

sq mi water

828

area code

Waynesville, NC ZIP code map

About Waynesville, NC

Waynesville, North Carolina, is a charming town nestled in the picturesque Smoky Mountains. Known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant community, it serves as the county seat of Haywood County. With its rich cultural heritage and friendly atmosphere, Waynesville is a popular destination for both residents and tourists alike.

Location & geography

Located in the western part of North Carolina, Waynesville is surrounded by breathtaking mountain views and lush forests. Neighbors include the cities of Asheville, approximately 28 miles to the east, and Maggie Valley, just 10 miles to the south. The area spans a total land area of 241.33 square miles, complemented by a small water area of 0.47 square miles.

Community & economy

Waynesville boasts a diverse and welcoming community, with a mix of local businesses, artisans, and outdoor enthusiasts. The economy is bolstered by tourism, healthcare, and small-scale manufacturing, creating a vibrant local job market. Daily life in Waynesville is characterized by a strong sense of community, with frequent local events and opportunities for residents to engage with one another.

Transportation

Waynesville is accessible via U.S. Route 19 and North Carolina Highway 276, making it easy to travel to neighboring cities and attractions. The nearest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, located about 35 miles away. Public transportation options are limited, but the town's walkability and friendly streets make it easy to explore.

History

Founded in the 19th century, Waynesville has a rich history shaped by the natural beauty of its surroundings. It has historically been a center for the lumber and textile industries, contributing significantly to the local economy. Notable events in its history include the establishment of the Haywood County courthouse, which reflects the town's role as an administrative hub.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Waynesville is that it hosts the annual Folkmoot USA festival, celebrating international folk dance and culture with participants from around the world. Additionally, the town has several historic buildings, including the Waynesville Inn, showcasing its rich architectural heritage.

ZIP codes for Waynesville, NC (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28785	Waynesville	Haywood	View map
28786	Waynesville	Haywood	View map

Demographics & statistics

30,051

Population

49.6

Median age

$55,547

Median household income

$35,881

Per capita income

$251,900

Median home value

$1,015

Median monthly rent

77.0%

Home ownership

12.3%

Poverty rate

3.9%

Unemployment

13,232

Housing units

32.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

468

Under 5

485

764

5–9

793

810

10–14

840

812

15–19

841

727

20–24

753

1,365

25–34

1,416

1,636

35–44

1,696

2,079

45–54

2,155

1,188

55–59

1,232

1,096

60–64

1,137

2,192

65–74

2,272

1,125

75–84

1,167

492

85+

510

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	5,290	17.1%
18 and over	24,761	83.0%
65 and over	7,758	26.0%
Median age	49.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.8%

Two or more races 4.2%

Hispanic or Latino 2.8%

Black or African American 0.9%

Other race 0.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Asian 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	28,062	90.8%
Two or more races	1,310	4.2%
Hispanic or Latino	867	2.8%
Black or African American	281	0.9%
Other race	228	0.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	104	0.3%
Asian	66	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 5.3%

$10k–$15k 4.5%

$15k–$25k 9.3%

$25k–$35k 9.5%

$35k–$50k 15.9%

$50k–$75k 14.8%

$75k–$100k 12.5%

$100k–$150k 18.1%

$150k–$200k 4.1%

$200k+ 6.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.3%
$10k–$15k	4.5%
$15k–$25k	9.3%
$25k–$35k	9.5%
$35k–$50k	15.9%
$50k–$75k	14.8%
$75k–$100k	12.5%
$100k–$150k	18.1%
$150k–$200k	4.1%
$200k+	6.5%
Median income	$55,547

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.4%

$50k–$100k 5.2%

$100k–$150k 10.1%

$150k–$200k 12.8%

$200k–$300k 23.6%

$300k–$500k 24.9%

$500k–$1M 10.9%

$1M+ 2.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$251,900
Median rent / month	$1,015
Owner occupied	77.0%
Renter occupied	23.1%
Vacant	25.0%
Single-family detached	72.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.9%
Mobile homes	17.3%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.49

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	5.9%
2000–2009	19.2%
1990–1999	19.7%
1980–1989	14.7%
1970–1979	12.3%
1960–1969	9.7%
1950–1959	7.6%
1940–1949	4.1%
1939 or earlier	6.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.7%
1 bedroom	7.5%
2 bedrooms	30.0%
3 bedrooms	48.9%
4 bedrooms	9.4%
5+ bedrooms	2.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.8%
1 vehicle	30.8%
2 vehicles	40.5%
3 or more	24.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.7%
Electricity	60.5%
Propane / LP gas	13.4%
Fuel oil	16.1%
Wood	7.0%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	6,420	51.8%
Cohabiting couple	623	5.0%
Male householder, no spouse	2,011	13.5%
Female householder, no spouse	3,799	29.7%
Households with children under 18	3,074	23.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	5,666	45.0%
Average household size	2.38

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.5%	18.2%
Married	54.5%	51.6%
Separated	0.6%	2.3%
Widowed	3.1%	13.0%
Divorced	9.3%	15.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.4%

Some HS, no diploma 7.5%

HS graduate 23.3%

Some college, no degree 20.4%

Associate's degree 14.2%

Bachelor's degree 20.4%

Graduate / professional 11.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.2%
Bachelor's or higher	32.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	400	6.4%
Kindergarten	309	5.4%
Elementary school	2,628	44.4%
High school	1,251	22.5%
College / grad school	1,110	21.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.2%

Retail trade 13.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.7%

Professional & management 9.5%

Manufacturing 8.8%

Public administration 7.7%

Construction 6.2%

Finance & real estate 5.5%

Transportation & utilities 3.7%

Other services 3.4%

Agriculture & mining 1.5%

Information 0.6%

Wholesale trade 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	39.8%
Service	19.8%
Sales & office	21.4%
Natural resources & construction	8.5%
Production & transportation	10.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	70.3%
Government	21.1%
Self-employed	8.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.4%
Carpool	9.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.1%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.0

Poverty

All people 12.3%

Under 18 years 17.5%

18 and over 11.0%

Married-couple families 7.1%

Female-led households 20.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	46.8%
Retirement income	30.7%
Supplemental Security	6.2%
Cash public assistance	1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.3%
High cholesterol	37.4%
Heart disease	8.0%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	29.5%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	8.0%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.2%
No physical activity	21.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.5%
Fair or poor health	13.7%
Poor mental health	13.5%
Poor physical health	11.1%
No health insurance	15.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.7%
Visited dentist	68.0%
Cholesterol screening	91.5%
Teeth loss	12.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,476	10.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.6%
Under 18	5.1%
18–64 years	13.0%
65 and over	32.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.2%
Public insurance	41.4%
Uninsured under 19	9.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	29,098	97.2%
Spanish	152	0.7%
Other Indo-European	98	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	18	0.1%
Other languages	36	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	29,444	98.2%
Born in same state	29,174	97.2%
Born in different state	16,473	53.9%
Foreign born	270	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	607	1.9%
Not a US citizen	262	46.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	5,401	18%
Italian	3,309	11%
Arab	2,976	9.9%
English	368	1.2%
Polish	88	0.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	74	0.2%
German	61	0.2%
Dutch	43	0.1%
Norwegian	11	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.9%
Internet access	91.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Waynesville, NC have?

Waynesville, NC has two ZIP codes: 28785 and 28786. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.