Willard ZIP Codes — Pender County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Willard, North Carolina and it is 28478. Area code: 910.

ZIP codes

122.87

sq mi land

0.23

sq mi water

910

area code

Willard, NC ZIP code map

About Willard, NC

Willard is a small town located in Pender County, North Carolina. Known for its rural charm, Willard offers a glimpse into the peaceful life in eastern North Carolina. The town's close-knit community and beautiful landscapes make it a serene place to call home.

Location & geography

Willard, NC, spans a land area of 122.87 square miles, with a water area of 0.23 square miles. The town is situated approximately 15 miles northwest of Wilmington, 7 miles west of Burgaw, and about 18 miles south of Jacksonville. The terrain around Willard is characterized by its lush greenery and tranquil surroundings, typical of the coastal plain region of North Carolina.

Community & economy

The community of Willard is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of togetherness among residents. The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture, with many residents involved in farming and related industries. Daily life in Willard often revolves around local events, family gatherings, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Transportation

Willard is accessible via several roadways, including NC Highway 41, which connects it to nearby towns and cities. The nearest airport is Wilmington International Airport, located approximately 17 miles to the southeast, providing access to domestic flights. Public transportation options are limited, emphasizing the importance of personal vehicles for local travel.

History

Willard was founded in the late 19th century and has a rich agricultural history that continues to shape its identity. The town played a role in the development of the surrounding area, contributing to the agricultural economy of Pender County. Notable events have included community fairs and celebrations that reflect its rural heritage and community spirit.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Willard is that it remains largely unnoticed by tourists, allowing for an authentic small-town experience. Despite its size, the town boasts a rich collection of local stories and traditions that are cherished by its residents.

ZIP codes for Willard, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28478	Willard	Pender	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,424

Population

48.1

Median age

$61,680

Median household income

$32,447

Per capita income

$161,000

Median home value

$710

Median monthly rent

86.2%

Home ownership

22.6%

Poverty rate

7.8%

Unemployment

1,859

Housing units

13.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

112

Under 5

127

109

5–9

123

128

10–14

145

15–19

103

140

20–24

158

156

25–34

175

220

35–44

248

393

45–54

443

174

55–59

195

252

60–64

283

204

65–74

229

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	902	20.4%
18 and over	3,522	79.6%
65 and over	648	14.6%
Median age	48.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 63.6%

Black or African American 26.4%

Hispanic or Latino 4.5%

Other race 4.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%

Two or more races 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	2,945	63.6%
Black or African American	1,222	26.4%
Hispanic or Latino	208	4.5%
Other race	204	4.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	37	0.8%
Two or more races	16	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 7.5%

$10k–$15k 8.0%

$15k–$25k 7.9%

$25k–$35k 14.0%

$35k–$50k 6.5%

$50k–$75k 17.1%

$75k–$100k 23.3%

$100k–$150k 8.0%

$150k–$200k 4.9%

$200k+ 2.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.5%
$10k–$15k	8.0%
$15k–$25k	7.9%
$25k–$35k	14.0%
$35k–$50k	6.5%
$50k–$75k	17.1%
$75k–$100k	23.3%
$100k–$150k	8.0%
$150k–$200k	4.9%
$200k+	2.7%
Median income	$61,680

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.7%

$50k–$100k 14.4%

$100k–$150k 15.6%

$150k–$200k 20.7%

$200k–$300k 19.8%

$300k–$500k 9.0%

$500k–$1M 6.6%

$1M+ 0.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$161,000
Median rent / month	$710
Owner occupied	86.2%
Renter occupied	13.8%
Vacant	12.3%
Single-family detached	71.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	26.4%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.30

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	7.1%
2000–2009	17.1%
1990–1999	20.7%
1980–1989	11.1%
1970–1979	9.9%
1960–1969	5.6%
1950–1959	13.1%
1940–1949	4.4%
1939 or earlier	10.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.1%
1 bedroom	2.8%
2 bedrooms	19.1%
3 bedrooms	69.6%
4 bedrooms	8.0%
5+ bedrooms	0.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.2%
1 vehicle	26.4%
2 vehicles	25.3%
3 or more	42.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	68.4%
Propane / LP gas	24.6%
Fuel oil	1.7%
Wood	4.9%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,002	54.0%
Cohabiting couple	96	5.2%
Male householder, no spouse	355	19.1%
Female householder, no spouse	402	21.7%
Households with children under 18	666	35.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	491	26.5%
Average household size	2.38

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.6%	23.2%
Married	54.1%	55.9%
Separated	2.9%	4.0%
Widowed	4.4%	8.2%
Divorced	11.0%	8.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.0%

Some HS, no diploma 10.9%

HS graduate 43.8%

Some college, no degree 18.5%

Associate's degree 9.2%

Bachelor's degree 9.6%

Graduate / professional 4.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.2%
Bachelor's or higher	13.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	142	15.4%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	433	46.8%
High school	197	21.3%
College / grad school	153	16.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 16.1%

Construction 13.1%

Public administration 12.8%

Transportation & utilities 12.1%

Retail trade 9.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.0%

Professional & management 6.7%

Agriculture & mining 6.5%

Other services 5.0%

Manufacturing 4.9%

Information 3.1%

Finance & real estate 2.1%

Wholesale trade 1.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	22.2%
Service	17.4%
Sales & office	16.2%
Natural resources & construction	25.4%
Production & transportation	18.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.2%
Government	17.2%
Self-employed	5.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	89.5%
Carpool	8.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.1%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	30.0

Poverty

All people 22.6%

Under 18 years 43.2%

18 and over 17.5%

Married-couple families 13.2%

Female-led households 29.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.0%
Retirement income	15.4%
Supplemental Security	12.5%
Cash public assistance	2.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	42.9%
High cholesterol	37.6%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	5.0%
Asthma	10.4%
Arthritis	30.8%
Kidney disease	4.2%
Pulmonary disease	10.1%
Cancer	6.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.7%
No physical activity	31.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	38.6%
Fair or poor health	21.6%
Poor mental health	15.8%
Poor physical health	14.9%
No health insurance	22.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.1%
Visited dentist	51.9%
Cholesterol screening	89.4%
Teeth loss	22.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	408	11.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.7%
Under 18	2.7%
18–64 years	17.9%
65 and over	44.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	69.5%
Public insurance	35.0%
Uninsured under 19	10.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,185	94.6%
Spanish	112	2.7%
Other Indo-European	112	2.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,275	96.6%
Born in same state	4,104	92.8%
Born in different state	2,882	65.1%
Foreign born	171	3.9%
Naturalized citizen	149	3.4%
Not a US citizen	12	8.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	484	10.9%
French	283	6.4%
Italian	86	1.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	9	0.2%
Polish	1	0%
Dutch	1	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.9%
Internet access	84.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Willard, NC have?

Willard, NC has one ZIP code: 28478. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.