Whittier ZIP Codes — Jackson County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Whittier, North Carolina and it is 28789. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

58.56

sq mi land

0.09

sq mi water

828

area code

Whittier, NC ZIP code map

About Whittier, NC

Whittier, North Carolina, is a small yet charming community located within Jackson County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains, it offers a serene escape for visitors and residents alike. The town's rich natural beauty and welcoming atmosphere make it an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families.

Location & geography

Whittier is situated in the western part of North Carolina and serves as a gateway to the stunning national parks of the region. Nearby cities include Cherokee, located about 10 miles to the northeast, Sylva, roughly 14 miles to the west, and Franklin, approximately 20 miles to the southeast. The terrain around Whittier features a diverse mix of rolling hills and dense forests, with a small water area of 0.09 square miles adding to its natural allure.

Community & economy

The community in Whittier is characterized by its friendly residents and a laid-back lifestyle that emphasizes outdoor living. The economy is primarily driven by tourism, with many visitors drawn to the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park for hiking, camping, and other recreational activities. Daily life in Whittier often revolves around community events and enjoying the tranquil environment, which fosters a close-knit atmosphere.

Transportation

Whittier is accessible via US Highway 441, which connects the town to nearby attractions and larger cities. The nearest major airport is the Asheville Regional Airport, located approximately 50 miles to the east, providing convenience for travelers. While there is limited public transit, local roads make it easy to navigate the area.

History

Whittier was established in the 19th century and has historically served as a transportation hub due to its location. The key industries in the area have revolved around timber and tourism, which continue to play a significant role in the local economy today. Over the years, Whittier has developed into a peaceful retreat that celebrates its natural surroundings and heritage.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Whittier is that it is closely associated with the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway, attracting many nature lovers. Additionally, the town's ZIP code, 28789, is unique to this region of North Carolina, specifically designated for Whittier.

ZIP codes for Whittier, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28789	Whittier	Jackson	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,137

Population

42.2

Median age

$39,754

Median household income

$31,730

Per capita income

$234,000

Median home value

$1,015

Median monthly rent

61.5%

Home ownership

25.5%

Poverty rate

14.7%

Unemployment

2,955

Housing units

21.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

152

Under 5

162

160

5–9

171

227

10–14

242

193

15–19

205

20–24

374

25–34

397

506

35–44

538

382

45–54

406

158

55–59

168

224

60–64

239

344

65–74

365

200

75–84

213

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,394	22.7%
18 and over	4,743	77.3%
65 and over	1,151	18.8%
Median age	42.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 72.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 9%

Two or more races 7.4%

Hispanic or Latino 6.9%

Other race 3.6%

Black or African American 1%

Group	Count	%
White	4,750	72.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	594	9%
Two or more races	490	7.4%
Hispanic or Latino	455	6.9%
Other race	236	3.6%
Black or African American	67	1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.9%

$10k–$15k 8.4%

$15k–$25k 18.6%

$25k–$35k 12.0%

$35k–$50k 15.6%

$50k–$75k 8.6%

$75k–$100k 11.8%

$100k–$150k 10.7%

$150k–$200k 2.9%

$200k+ 8.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.9%
$10k–$15k	8.4%
$15k–$25k	18.6%
$25k–$35k	12.0%
$35k–$50k	15.6%
$50k–$75k	8.6%
$75k–$100k	11.8%
$100k–$150k	10.7%
$150k–$200k	2.9%
$200k+	8.6%
Median income	$39,754

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.0%

$50k–$100k 14.9%

$100k–$150k 10.0%

$150k–$200k 7.4%

$200k–$300k 30.8%

$300k–$500k 12.9%

$500k–$1M 12.6%

$1M+ 2.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$234,000
Median rent / month	$1,015
Owner occupied	61.5%
Renter occupied	38.5%
Vacant	35.1%
Single-family detached	67.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	29.3%
Median rooms	4.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.04

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	12.0%
2000–2009	20.8%
1990–1999	19.2%
1980–1989	22.9%
1970–1979	12.9%
1960–1969	5.6%
1950–1959	1.4%
1940–1949	2.1%
1939 or earlier	2.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	8.4%
2 bedrooms	36.0%
3 bedrooms	45.4%
4 bedrooms	7.7%
5+ bedrooms	1.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.4%
1 vehicle	35.3%
2 vehicles	36.3%
3 or more	22.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.0%
Electricity	72.5%
Propane / LP gas	19.2%
Fuel oil	1.6%
Wood	5.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,072	41.9%
Cohabiting couple	199	7.8%
Male householder, no spouse	477	18.6%
Female householder, no spouse	811	31.7%
Households with children under 18	608	23.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	872	34.1%
Average household size	2.39

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.2%	25.5%
Married	50.7%	45.4%
Separated	6.8%	0.5%
Widowed	1.5%	12.7%
Divorced	14.8%	16.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.1%

Some HS, no diploma 19.5%

HS graduate 26.8%

Some college, no degree 20.0%

Associate's degree 10.5%

Bachelor's degree 8.8%

Graduate / professional 12.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	78.4%
Bachelor's or higher	21.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	67	4.9%
Kindergarten	42	3.1%
Elementary school	699	50.9%
High school	334	24.3%
College / grad school	231	16.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Arts, food & hospitality 30.9%

Public administration 17.1%

Education & healthcare 15.9%

Retail trade 9.1%

Professional & management 8.3%

Construction 5.2%

Manufacturing 4.9%

Other services 2.9%

Transportation & utilities 2.2%

Agriculture & mining 1.1%

Wholesale trade 0.8%

Information 0.8%

Finance & real estate 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.4%
Service	31.8%
Sales & office	17.8%
Natural resources & construction	6.5%
Production & transportation	7.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	66.8%
Government	28.5%
Self-employed	4.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.4%
Carpool	5.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.8%
Other means	6.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	15.8

Poverty

All people 25.5%

Under 18 years 52.2%

18 and over 17.7%

Married-couple families 11.0%

Female-led households 26.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.7%
Retirement income	19.3%
Supplemental Security	5.5%
Cash public assistance	3.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.4%
High cholesterol	37.9%
Heart disease	8.1%
Stroke	3.9%
Asthma	9.9%
Arthritis	29.0%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	9.1%
Cancer	7.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.3%
No physical activity	23.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.9%
Fair or poor health	16.5%
Poor mental health	15.4%
Poor physical health	12.7%
No health insurance	17.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.4%
Visited dentist	61.5%
Cholesterol screening	89.7%
Teeth loss	16.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	406	8.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.1%
Under 18	1.3%
18–64 years	18.3%
65 and over	37.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	41.8%
Public insurance	50.3%
Uninsured under 19	5.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	5,823	94.9%
Spanish	184	3.2%
Other Indo-European	149	2.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	35	0.6%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,973	97.3%
Born in same state	5,950	97.0%
Born in different state	3,309	53.9%
Foreign born	23	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	164	2.7%
Not a US citizen	20	12.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,637	26.7%
French	760	12.4%
Italian	681	11.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	13	0.2%
English	4	0.1%
Norwegian	4	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.7%
Internet access	93.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Whittier, NC have?

Whittier, NC has one ZIP code: 28789. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.