Whiteville ZIP Codes — Columbus County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Whiteville, North Carolina and it is 28472. Area code: 910.

ZIP codes

197.86

sq mi land

0.65

sq mi water

910

area code

Whiteville, NC ZIP code map

About Whiteville, NC

Whiteville is a vibrant city located in Columbus County, North Carolina. Known for its rich history and friendly community, it serves as an important hub in the area. The city has a unique charm that attracts visitors and residents alike.

Location & geography

Whiteville is situated in southeastern North Carolina, approximately 35 miles from the coastal city of Wilmington. Nearby cities include Chadbourn, which is about 12 miles to the south, and Lumberton, located roughly 28 miles to the northwest. The city covers a land area of 197.86 square miles and is surrounded by a small water area of 0.65 square miles, offering a mix of flat terrains and beautiful surrounding landscapes.

Community & economy

The character of Whiteville is deeply rooted in Southern hospitality, with a tight-knit community that values local traditions and family ties. The economy of the city thrives on agriculture, manufacturing, and retail, providing diverse job opportunities for residents. Daily life in Whiteville includes participation in local events, enjoying parks, and frequenting restaurants that celebrate the area's culinary heritage.

Transportation

Major highways, including U.S. Route 701 and North Carolina Highway 130, provide easy access to and from Whiteville. The nearest commercial airport is Wilmington International Airport, located about 35 miles away. Public transportation options are limited, but the local community often relies on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Whiteville was founded in the early 19th century and has since been a significant player in the agricultural sector, particularly in the production of crops like tobacco and sweet potatoes. Throughout its history, the city has hosted numerous events that reflect its rich cultural heritage, including the popular North Carolina Yam Festival. These traditions continue to draw visitors and celebrate the region's agricultural roots.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Whiteville is that it is home to the North Carolina Yam Festival, which celebrates the sweet potato, a crop that is vital to the local economy. Additionally, the city boasts an array of historic sites and buildings that reflect its storied past.

ZIP codes for Whiteville, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28472	Whiteville	Columbus	View map

Demographics & statistics

17,854

Population

39.4

Median age

$41,755

Median household income

$23,473

Per capita income

$125,000

Median home value

$767

Median monthly rent

65.4%

Home ownership

21.6%

Poverty rate

6.1%

Unemployment

5,571

Housing units

17.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

346

Under 5

369

716

5–9

761

551

10–14

586

567

15–19

604

453

20–24

481

1,187

25–34

1,262

1,213

35–44

1,291

977

45–54

1,040

563

55–59

598

690

60–64

735

843

65–74

897

383

75–84

408

161

85+

172

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	4,148	23.2%
18 and over	13,706	76.8%
65 and over	2,864	16.0%
Median age	39.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 57.5%

Black or African American 27.8%

Hispanic or Latino 4.5%

Other race 4.4%

Two or more races 3.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.4%

Asian 0.7%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	10,742	57.5%
Black or African American	5,199	27.8%
Hispanic or Latino	840	4.5%
Other race	827	4.4%
Two or more races	676	3.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	254	1.4%
Asian	123	0.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	33	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 10.8%

$10k–$15k 3.6%

$15k–$25k 15.1%

$25k–$35k 17.0%

$35k–$50k 10.1%

$50k–$75k 16.7%

$75k–$100k 10.0%

$100k–$150k 9.7%

$150k–$200k 4.3%

$200k+ 2.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	10.8%
$10k–$15k	3.6%
$15k–$25k	15.1%
$25k–$35k	17.0%
$35k–$50k	10.1%
$50k–$75k	16.7%
$75k–$100k	10.0%
$100k–$150k	9.7%
$150k–$200k	4.3%
$200k+	2.8%
Median income	$41,755

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 15.2%

$50k–$100k 23.4%

$100k–$150k 17.1%

$150k–$200k 17.7%

$200k–$300k 17.1%

$300k–$500k 6.7%

$500k–$1M 2.7%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$125,000
Median rent / month	$767
Owner occupied	65.4%
Renter occupied	34.6%
Vacant	15.7%
Single-family detached	55.4%
Large apartment buildings	3.7%
Mobile homes	28.9%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.51

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	8.1%
2000–2009	13.1%
1990–1999	18.5%
1980–1989	9.6%
1970–1979	19.3%
1960–1969	11.4%
1950–1959	13.8%
1940–1949	1.4%
1939 or earlier	4.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.3%
1 bedroom	4.3%
2 bedrooms	29.8%
3 bedrooms	54.9%
4 bedrooms	9.5%
5+ bedrooms	1.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.0%
1 vehicle	34.0%
2 vehicles	29.8%
3 or more	29.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.7%
Electricity	78.2%
Propane / LP gas	15.5%
Fuel oil	2.4%
Wood	0.7%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,705	40.8%
Cohabiting couple	459	6.9%
Male householder, no spouse	1,192	18.0%
Female householder, no spouse	2,274	34.3%
Households with children under 18	2,084	31.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,200	33.2%
Average household size	2.55

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.0%	33.1%
Married	44.6%	37.4%
Separated	2.8%	5.2%
Widowed	4.0%	11.3%
Divorced	10.6%	13.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.1%

Some HS, no diploma 6.6%

HS graduate 38.0%

Some college, no degree 23.3%

Associate's degree 9.8%

Bachelor's degree 10.8%

Graduate / professional 6.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.3%
Bachelor's or higher	17.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	110	2.6%
Kindergarten	313	7.3%
Elementary school	2,068	48.0%
High school	1,054	24.4%
College / grad school	767	17.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.6%

Retail trade 14.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 13.4%

Finance & real estate 10.2%

Manufacturing 9.6%

Professional & management 8.0%

Public administration 5.9%

Transportation & utilities 4.7%

Construction 4.3%

Other services 3.4%

Information 2.7%

Agriculture & mining 2.5%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.4%
Service	24.4%
Sales & office	16.7%
Natural resources & construction	10.5%
Production & transportation	15.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.7%
Government	14.9%
Self-employed	4.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	88.9%
Carpool	6.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.9%
Other means	0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.0

Poverty

All people 21.6%

Under 18 years 27.0%

18 and over 19.8%

Married-couple families 13.2%

Female-led households 36.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.2%
Retirement income	22.4%
Supplemental Security	7.5%
Cash public assistance	1.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	24.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.2%
High cholesterol	36.0%
Heart disease	8.1%
Stroke	4.5%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	29.8%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	9.2%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.7%
No physical activity	28.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.9%
Fair or poor health	19.4%
Poor mental health	15.9%
Poor physical health	13.7%
No health insurance	20.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	80.3%
Visited dentist	55.8%
Cholesterol screening	89.2%
Teeth loss	19.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	927	6.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.1%
Under 18	3.7%
18–64 years	13.0%
65 and over	33.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	51.7%
Public insurance	46.2%
Uninsured under 19	9.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	17,139	96.0%
Spanish	538	3.1%
Other Indo-European	462	2.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	61	0.4%
Other languages	15	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	17,175	96.2%
Born in same state	17,116	95.9%
Born in different state	14,247	79.8%
Foreign born	59	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	679	3.8%
Not a US citizen	191	28.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	4,271	23.9%
French	1,688	9.5%
Italian	577	3.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	65	0.4%
Polish	28	0.2%
English	13	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.1%
Internet access	90.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Whiteville, NC have?

Whiteville, NC has one ZIP code: 28472. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.