Race & Ethnicity
Age Breakdown
Key Indicators
| Median Age | 49.8 yrs |
|---|---|
| Avg HH Size | 2.16 |
| Below Poverty | 10.2% ≈ Avg |
| College Grads | 44.7% ▲ 15% above avg |
| Unemployment | 3.9% ▼ 19% below avg |
| No HS Diploma | 295 (0.7%) |
| HS Graduate | 9,812 (22.4%) |
| Some College | 6,207 (14.2%) |
| Associates | 7,736 (17.7%) |
| Bachelors | 5,090 (11.6%) |
| Graduate Degree | 14,614 (33.4%) |
Education
Housing Tenure
Home Value Distribution
Financials
| Median HH Income | $70,188 ▼ 8% below avg |
|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $315,276 ▲ 13% above avg |
| Home/Income Ratio | 4.5x (nat avg ~3.5x) |
| Median Rent | $1,041/mo |
| Total Housing Units | 47,350 |
| Vacant Units | 19,326 |
Income Distribution
How People Get to Work
Commute Time
Year Built
Carteret County is located in North Carolina and encompasses 17 ZIP codes spanning 17 cities and communities. The county has an estimated population of 61,327 residents. With a median age of 49.84, it is a mature county.
Carteret County has a solidly middle-class economic profile. The median household income of $70,187 is near the national average. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, below the national average. The poverty rate of 10.2% is near the national average.
Housing in Carteret County is a mid-range housing market, with a median home value of $315,276 — near the national average. Monthly median rent is approximately $1,040. Homeownership rates are high at 73.0%, reflecting a largely residential, stable population.
The residents of Carteret County are primarily White (84.84%). Educational attainment is well-educated — 44.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average.
Carteret County, NC is a solidly middle-class area in North Carolina. The 17 ZIP codes within the county each have their own character — browse the full list below to find the right community, whether you're looking for affordable housing, strong schools, or economic opportunity.
| ZIP | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home | Median Rent | Unemp. | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28511 | Atlantic | 627 | $56,328 | $154,900 | — | 4.8% | 40.7% |
| 28512 | Atlantic Beach | 3,452 | $80,375 | $529,400 | $1,008 | 3.4% | 66.8% |
| 28516 | Beaufort | 11,143 | $63,257 | $292,300 | $869 | 3.4% | 39.8% |
| 28520 | Cedar Island | 143 | $64,875 | $222,700 | — | 0.0% | 20.9% |
| 28524 | Davis | 290 | $71,083 | $180,100 | — | 12.2% | 36.9% |
| 28594 | Emerald Isle | 3,915 | $89,432 | $563,600 | $1,688 | 1.3% | 60.3% |
| 28528 | Gloucester | 607 | $71,292 | $247,300 | — | 5.0% | 34.3% |
| 28531 | Harkers Island | 1,080 | $58,750 | $295,500 | $968 | 0.5% | 33.8% |
| 28553 | Marshallberg | 449 | $85,875 | $173,200 | — | 2.9% | 29.5% |
| 28557 | Morehead City | 15,355 | $67,753 | $331,800 | $1,143 | 3.5% | 51.7% |
| 28570 | Newport | 21,435 | $69,018 | $245,300 | $951 | 5.4% | 37.9% |
| 28575 | Salter Path | 171 | $130,625 | $242,900 | — | 15.7% | 57.6% |
| 28577 | Sealevel | 338 | $88,250 | $441,700 | $1,042 | 0.0% | 44.1% |
| 28579 | Smyrna | 652 | $100,139 | $416,000 | — | 0.0% | 32.6% |
| 28582 | Stella | 1,504 | $74,867 | $310,700 | $985 | 2.1% | 41.1% |