Wrightsville Beach ZIP Codes — New Hanover County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina and it is 28480. Area code: 910.

ZIP codes

3.90

sq mi land

1.51

sq mi water

910

area code

Wrightsville Beach, NC ZIP code map

About Wrightsville Beach, NC

Wrightsville Beach, located in North Carolina, is a vibrant coastal town that attracts visitors year-round. Known for its stunning shorelines and recreational opportunities, this destination offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. The community prides itself on its charming atmosphere and close-knit feel, making it a favored spot among both locals and tourists.

Location & geography

Wrightsville Beach is situated in New Hanover County, uniquely positioned adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 5 miles from Wilmington, NC, and about 2 miles away from the nearby Figure Eight Island. The town encompasses a land area of 3.90 square miles, complemented by its water area of 1.51 square miles, providing ample opportunities for water-related activities.

Community & economy

The character of Wrightsville Beach is defined by its friendly residents and strong community ties, creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. The local economy thrives on tourism, with many businesses catering to the beachgoers and outdoor enthusiasts that flock to the area each season. Daily life in Wrightsville Beach often revolves around outdoor activities like surfing, fishing, and paddleboarding, showcasing the town's commitment to an active lifestyle.

Transportation

Accessibility to Wrightsville Beach is enhanced by its proximity to major highways, most notably N.C. Highway 74 and U.S. Highway 17. The nearest major airport is Wilmington International Airport, located about 10 miles to the west, providing convenient flight options for visitors. Public transportation options in the area are limited, but local taxi services and bike rentals are popular among residents and tourists alike.

History

Wrightsville Beach was developed in the late 19th century, originally founded as a resort community for wealthy Wilmington residents seeking coastal retreats. The town became a popular destination due to its beautiful beaches and recreational opportunities, with key industries including tourism and hospitality. Notable events in the town's history include the construction of the Wrightsville Beach Bridge in the 1920s, which significantly improved access to the area.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Wrightsville Beach is its designation as a Health Management District, emphasizing wellness and outdoor activities among residents and visitors. Additionally, the annual Wrightsville Beach Marathon attracts participants and spectators from all over, showcasing the town's commitment to an active lifestyle.

ZIP codes for Wrightsville Beach, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28480	Wrightsville Beach	New Hanover	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,899

Population

52.8

Median age

$121,417

Median household income

$86,781

Per capita income

$973,800

Median home value

$2,013

Median monthly rent

77.7%

Home ownership

6.8%

Poverty rate

1.2%

Unemployment

2,555

Housing units

72.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

175

20–24

132

104

25–34

159

35–44

120

244

45–54

184

147

55–59

111

166

60–64

126

279

65–74

211

133

75–84

100

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	363	12.5%
18 and over	2,536	87.5%
65 and over	748	25.8%
Median age	52.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.9%

Two or more races 1.7%

Black or African American 1.4%

Hispanic or Latino 0.6%

Asian 0.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	2,797	95.9%
Two or more races	51	1.7%
Black or African American	40	1.4%
Hispanic or Latino	17	0.6%
Asian	7	0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	4	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 1.6%

$10k–$15k 2.9%

$15k–$25k 8.8%

$25k–$35k 1.9%

$35k–$50k 4.0%

$50k–$75k 13.8%

$75k–$100k 8.7%

$100k–$150k 15.7%

$150k–$200k 5.7%

$200k+ 36.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.6%
$10k–$15k	2.9%
$15k–$25k	8.8%
$25k–$35k	1.9%
$35k–$50k	4.0%
$50k–$75k	13.8%
$75k–$100k	8.7%
$100k–$150k	15.7%
$150k–$200k	5.7%
$200k+	36.8%
Median income	$121,417

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.0%

$50k–$100k 0.8%

$100k–$150k 1.4%

$200k–$300k 1.4%

$300k–$500k 10.0%

$500k–$1M 35.9%

$1M+ 47.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$973,800
Median rent / month	$2,013
Owner occupied	77.7%
Renter occupied	22.3%
Vacant	53.0%
Single-family detached	45.9%
Large apartment buildings	10.6%
Mobile homes	0.5%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.09

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.5%
2010–2019	3.2%
2000–2009	11.0%
1990–1999	9.3%
1980–1989	21.2%
1970–1979	24.2%
1960–1969	5.4%
1950–1959	12.6%
1940–1949	4.2%
1939 or earlier	8.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.2%
1 bedroom	2.9%
2 bedrooms	20.8%
3 bedrooms	43.0%
4 bedrooms	22.0%
5+ bedrooms	11.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.4%
1 vehicle	38.3%
2 vehicles	36.4%
3 or more	24.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.2%
Electricity	94.5%
Propane / LP gas	2.9%
Fuel oil	0.4%
Wood	1.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	692	51.6%
Cohabiting couple	80	6.0%
Male householder, no spouse	349	26.0%
Female householder, no spouse	220	16.4%
Households with children under 18	211	15.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	519	38.7%
Average household size	2.12

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	40.9%	22.6%
Married	47.5%	65.4%
Separated	2.4%	0.0%
Widowed	2.1%	8.0%
Divorced	7.1%	4.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.8%

Some HS, no diploma 0.4%

HS graduate 11.2%

Some college, no degree 9.2%

Associate's degree 6.3%

Bachelor's degree 48.8%

Graduate / professional 23.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	98.8%
Bachelor's or higher	72.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	24	4.2%
Kindergarten	44	7.7%
Elementary school	196	34.3%
High school	74	12.9%
College / grad school	234	40.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Finance & real estate 16.8%

Education & healthcare 16.5%

Professional & management 14.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.6%

Construction 11.0%

Manufacturing 8.9%

Retail trade 8.0%

Information 3.9%

Transportation & utilities 2.6%

Public administration 2.0%

Agriculture & mining 1.5%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Other services 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	58.8%
Service	5.9%
Sales & office	24.6%
Natural resources & construction	5.2%
Production & transportation	5.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.6%
Government	6.1%
Self-employed	16.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.4%
Carpool	3.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.9%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.5

Poverty

All people 6.8%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 7.7%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	35.0%
Retirement income	22.7%
Supplemental Security	0.5%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	1.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	24.7%
High cholesterol	29.3%
Heart disease	4.2%
Stroke	1.8%
Asthma	7.8%
Arthritis	17.8%
Kidney disease	2.0%
Pulmonary disease	3.6%
Cancer	5.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.7%
No physical activity	12.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	23.3%
Fair or poor health	6.4%
Poor mental health	11.7%
Poor physical health	6.0%
No health insurance	10.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.5%
Visited dentist	75.8%
Cholesterol screening	89.6%
Teeth loss	6.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	119	4.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	5.1%
Under 18	0.6%
18–64 years	0.3%
65 and over	18.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	87.7%
Public insurance	26.3%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,859	98.6%
Spanish	18	0.6%
Other Indo-European	6	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	12	0.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,776	95.8%
Born in same state	2,746	94.7%
Born in different state	1,449	50.0%
Foreign born	30	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	123	4.2%
Not a US citizen	96	78.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	529	18.2%
Italian	359	12.4%
Arab	132	4.6%
English	90	3.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	47	1.6%
Irish	6	0.2%
Polish	6	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	46.3%
Internet access	98.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Wrightsville Beach, NC have?

Wrightsville Beach, NC has one ZIP code: 28480. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.