Zip code 28043: Forest City, North Carolina

Q: What city is zip code 28043?

28043 is assigned to Forest City, North Carolina. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 28043 in?

28043 is in Rutherford County, North Carolina.

Q: What is the population of 28043?

About 20,930 people live in 28043, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 28043?

The median household income in 28043 is $42,276.

Q: What zip codes are near 28043?

The closest zip codes to 28043 are 28160, 28019, 28074, 28076, 28024.

Residential delivery areaRutherford CountyEastern Time

Population

20,930

Median household income

$42K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$175K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$783/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

40.1

U.S. 38.9

Land area

66 sq mi

316 people/sq mi

Boundary is the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which closely tracks the postal delivery area.

About 28043

28043 is a small-town zip code in Forest City, North Carolina (Rutherford County), covering 66 sq mi of land. About 20,930 people live here, or 316 per square mile. The median resident is 40.1 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $42,276 a year, about 52% of the national median of $80,734. 22.3% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $175,400, or 4.1 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes about as affordable as the national average for local earners. 64% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $783 a month.

19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 23.6 minutes each way, and 6% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in construction and repair; cleaning and personal care; and production and manufacturing.

How 28043 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Poverty rate22.3%
89th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · NC 13%110th of 788 in NC
Uninsured rate14.8%
88th
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · NC 9.9%131st of 797 in NC
Housing vacancy13.4%
83rd
U.S. 10.1% · NC 12.5%354th of 789 in NC
Self-employed workers12%
77th
U.S. 10% · NC 9.8%252nd of 798 in NC
Income inequality (Gini)0.468
75th
U.S. 0.483 · NC 0.477212th of 781 in NC
Unemployment rate6%
68th
U.S. 5.2% · NC 4.7%215th of 799 in NC
Residents under 1823.1%
59th
U.S. 22% · NC 21.8%242nd of 802 in NC
Median age40.1
58th
U.S. 38.9 · NC 39.1511th of 802 in NC
Veterans6.3%
57th
U.S. 6.2% · NC 7.4%493rd of 801 in NC
Residents 65 and older17.2%
55th
U.S. 17.2% · NC 17.2%509th of 802 in NC
Diversity index48.2
49th
U.S. 61.4 · NC 58.4369th of 802 in NC
Rent-burdened renters50.5%
49th
U.S. 51.1% · NC 48.9%295th of 760 in NC
Healthcare workers9.4%
49th
U.S. 9.7% · NC 9.5%386th of 798 in NC
Homeownership rate64.4%
40th
U.S. 65.2% · NC 66.6%620th of 788 in NC
Government workers12.3%
38th
U.S. 14.5% · NC 13.8%527th of 798 in NC
Tech workers2.2%
37th
U.S. 3.8% · NC 3.9%318th of 798 in NC
Average commute23.6 min
34th
U.S. 26.4 min · NC 25.1 min526th of 771 in NC
Population20,930
33rd
U.S. 334,922,499 · NC 10,730,404193rd of 802 in NC
Population density316/sq mi
26th
U.S. 95/sq mi · NC 221/sq mi272nd of 802 in NC
Foreign-born residents4.2%
25th
U.S. 14.1% · NC 9.1%405th of 802 in NC
Bachelor's degree or higher18.5%
17th
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · NC 35.7%527th of 799 in NC
Median home value$175,400
16th
U.S. $332,700 · NC $288,900509th of 757 in NC
Work from home6%
12th
U.S. 15.1% · NC 16.3%558th of 799 in NC
Broadband access84.5%
11th
WeaknessU.S. 91% · NC 90.1%516th of 788 in NC
Median earnings per worker$35,871
11th
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · NC $46,279630th of 788 in NC
Per capita income$26,226
10th
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · NC $41,385657th of 799 in NC
Median gross rent$783
6th
U.S. $1,413 · NC $1,228553rd of 688 in NC
Median household income$42,276
4th
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · NC $72,388690th of 748 in NC

Measure	28043	Rutherford	NC	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in NC
Poverty rateWeakness	22.3%	16.8%	13%	12.5%	89th	110th of 788
Uninsured rateWeakness	14.8%	12%	9.9%	8.4%	88th	131st of 797
Housing vacancy	13.4%	18.7%	12.5%	10.1%	83rd	354th of 789
Self-employed workers	12%	11.2%	9.8%	10%	77th	252nd of 798
Income inequality (Gini)	0.468	0.467	0.477	0.483	75th	212th of 781
Unemployment rate	6%	6.3%	4.7%	5.2%	68th	215th of 799
Residents under 18	23.1%	20.1%	21.8%	22%	59th	242nd of 802
Median age	40.1	45.3	39.1	38.9	58th	511th of 802
Veterans	6.3%	7.4%	7.4%	6.2%	57th	493rd of 801
Residents 65 and older	17.2%	22.3%	17.2%	17.2%	55th	509th of 802
Diversity index	48.2	33.6	58.4	61.4	49th	369th of 802
Rent-burdened renters	50.5%	46.8%	48.9%	51.1%	49th	295th of 760
Healthcare workers	9.4%	10.5%	9.5%	9.7%	49th	386th of 798
Homeownership rate	64.4%	73.9%	66.6%	65.2%	40th	620th of 788
Government workers	12.3%	14%	13.8%	14.5%	38th	527th of 798
Tech workers	2.2%	2.3%	3.9%	3.8%	37th	318th of 798
Average commute	23.6 min	26.1 min	25.1 min	26.4 min	34th	526th of 771
Population	20,930	64,930	10,730,404	334,922,499	33rd	193rd of 802
Population density	316/sq mi	115/sq mi	221/sq mi	95/sq mi	26th	272nd of 802
Foreign-born residents	4.2%	3.1%	9.1%	14.1%	25th	405th of 802
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	18.5%	21.5%	35.7%	35.7%	17th	527th of 799
Median home value	$175,400	$201,800	$288,900	$332,700	16th	509th of 757
Work from home	6%	8.6%	16.3%	15.1%	12th	558th of 799
Broadband accessWeakness	84.5%	82.9%	90.1%	91%	11th	516th of 788
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$35,871	$37,600	$46,279	$49,666	11th	630th of 788
Per capita incomeWeakness	$26,226	$30,460	$41,385	$44,673	10th	657th of 799
Median gross rent	$783	$783	$1,228	$1,413	6th	553rd of 688
Median household incomeWeakness	$42,276	$51,410	$72,388	$80,734	4th	690th of 748

The percentile is the share of Americans who live in a zip code with a lower value, so the 50th percentile is typical. Rank 1 is the highest value in the state. Both include zip codes with at least 100 residents. Strengths and weaknesses mark measures in the best or worst fifth nationally, where higher or lower is clearly better (income, poverty, education, commute, broadband, insurance and similar). Measures like age or density are left unmarked.

People

Age

Under 5

15%

5–17

18–24

14%

25–34

10%

35–44

15%

45–54

13%

55–64

10%

65–74

75+

Median age

40.1

Under 18

23.1%

65 and over

17.2%

Race and ethnicity

White70%
Black13%
Hispanic8%
Asian0.7%
Native American0.1%
Pacific Islander0.1%
Other1.0%
Multiracial7%

Diversity index

48.2

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

4.2%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

72.5%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

92%

Spanish

Other Indo-European

0.5%

Asian / Pacific

Other

Households

Households: 8,271
Average household size: 2.5
Family households: 65.6%
Married couples: 39%
Living alone: 30%
Veterans (of adults): 6.3%
Male / female: 47% / 53%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

27%

$25–50k

29%

$50–75k

14%

$75–100k

13%

$100–150k

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

28043

$42,276

Rutherford Co.

$51,410

North Carolina

$72,388

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$26,226

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

22.3%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

7.5%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.468

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

28043

$175,400

Rutherford Co.

$201,800

North Carolina

$288,900

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

28043

$783

Rutherford Co.

$783

North Carolina

$1,228

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

70%

2–4 units

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

18%

Boat, RV, van

0.4%

Housing units: 9,556
Owner-occupied: 64.4%
Vacant: 13.4%
Median year built: 1975
Median rooms: 5.5
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 50.5%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 24.9%
Home value to income: 4.1× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

82%

Carpooled

Transit

0.2%

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

20%

10–19

33%

20–29

13%

30–44

18%

45–59

60+

Average commute

23.6 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

60.5%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Construction and repair

12%

Cleaning and personal care

10%

Production

10%

Healthcare

Sales

Office and admin

Management

Transportation and moving

Food service

Education

Business and finance

Engineering and science

Computer and math

Arts, media and sports

Police and fire

Legal and social services

Farming, fishing and forestry

0.5%

Industries

Manufacturing

16%

Health care and social assistance

14%

Retail

12%

Restaurants and hotels

10%

Construction

Education

Admin, support and management

Other services

Professional and technical services

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Public administration

Finance, insurance and real estate

Information

Arts and recreation

Agriculture and mining

Wholesale

0.4%

Median earnings per worker

$35,871

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

12%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

12.3%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

4.7%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	28043	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$58,417	$74,888
Service	$21,637	$26,804
Sales and office	$18,685	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$50,816	$49,199
Production and transportation	$38,324	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

15%

High school

34%

Some college

21%

Associate's

12%

Bachelor's

11%

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 84.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 18.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 7.2%
Households with broadband: 84.5%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 64.1%
No internet access: 13.1%
Without health insurance: 14.8%
Limited-English households: 2.5%

Geography

City (USPS): Forest City
State: North Carolina
County: Rutherford County
Center point: 35.3124° N, 81.8703° W
Land area: 66 sq mi
Water area: 0.1 sq mi
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

Forest City13% of zip

Census places overlapping the zip's area. Mail may use a different city name than the municipality.

Zip codes near 28043

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
28160	Spindale, NC	4.4 mi	3,665	$40,868	$164,000
28019	Caroleen, NC	4.7 mi	0	—	—
28074	Harris, NC	5.1 mi	15	—	—
28076	Henrietta, NC	6.4 mi	105	—	—
28024	Cliffside, NC	7.4 mi	31	—	—
28139	Rutherfordton, NC	7.4 mi	20,008	$56,558	$240,200
28040	Ellenboro, NC	8.5 mi	6,961	$58,816	$169,500
28114	Mooresboro, NC	8.9 mi	7,104	$60,500	$150,500
28089	Lattimore, NC	12 mi	167	$75,000	$187,500
28017	Boiling Springs, NC	12 mi	663	—	—
28018	Bostic, NC	13 mi	5,034	$50,727	$169,200
28722	Columbus, NC	13 mi	6,086	$67,760	$307,300

Zip codes like 28043 elsewhere

Matched on income, home values, age, density, education, housing and commuting

Questions about 28043

What city is zip code 28043?

28043 is assigned to Forest City, North Carolina. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 28043 in?

28043 is in Rutherford County, North Carolina.

What is the population of 28043?

About 20,930 people live in 28043, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 28043 in?

28043 is in Eastern Time.

What is the median household income in 28043?

The median household income in 28043 is $42,276.

What zip codes are near 28043?

The closest zip codes to 28043 are 28160, 28019, 28074, 28076, 28024.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 28043, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.