Zip code 28501: Kinston, North Carolina

Q: What city is zip code 28501?

28501 is assigned to Kinston, North Carolina. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 28501 in?

28501 is mostly in Lenoir County, but it extends into 1 other county.

Q: What is the population of 28501?

About 17,642 people live in 28501, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 28501?

The median household income in 28501 is $35,118.

Q: What zip codes are near 28501?

The closest zip codes to 28501 are 28502, 28504, 28503, 28526, 28530.

Residential delivery areaLenoir CountyEastern Time

Population

17,642

Median household income

$35K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$79K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$799/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

42.7

U.S. 38.9

Land area

100 sq mi

177 people/sq mi

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

About 28501

28501 is a small-town zip code in Kinston, North Carolina (Lenoir County), covering 100 sq mi of land. About 17,642 people live here, or 177 per square mile. The median resident is 42.7 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $35,118 a year, about 43% of the national median of $80,734. 29.4% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $79,000, or 2.2 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 48% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $799 a month.

13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 22.6 minutes each way, and 2% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in production and manufacturing; healthcare; and management.

How 28501 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Poverty rate29.4%
96th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · NC 13%39th of 788 in NC
Unemployment rate11.6%
96th
WeaknessU.S. 5.2% · NC 4.7%43rd of 799 in NC
Healthcare workers15.4%
96th
U.S. 9.7% · NC 9.5%75th of 798 in NC
Income inequality (Gini)0.532
95th
WeaknessU.S. 0.483 · NC 0.47747th of 781 in NC
Housing vacancy19.9%
93rd
U.S. 10.1% · NC 12.5%209th of 789 in NC
Veterans9.1%
85th
U.S. 6.2% · NC 7.4%213th of 801 in NC
Residents 65 and older21.4%
81st
U.S. 17.2% · NC 17.2%314th of 802 in NC
Median age42.7
75th
U.S. 38.9 · NC 39.1387th of 802 in NC
Uninsured rate10%
71st
U.S. 8.4% · NC 9.9%370th of 797 in NC
Government workers15.8%
65th
U.S. 14.5% · NC 13.8%327th of 798 in NC
Residents under 1823.6%
64th
U.S. 22% · NC 21.8%219th of 802 in NC
Self-employed workers10.5%
64th
U.S. 10% · NC 9.8%356th of 798 in NC
Diversity index51.9
55th
U.S. 61.4 · NC 58.4309th of 802 in NC
Rent-burdened renters47.5%
37th
U.S. 51.1% · NC 48.9%368th of 760 in NC
Population17,642
27th
U.S. 334,922,499 · NC 10,730,404220th of 802 in NC
Average commute22.6 min
27th
U.S. 26.4 min · NC 25.1 min583rd of 771 in NC
Population density177/sq mi
19th
U.S. 95/sq mi · NC 221/sq mi364th of 802 in NC
Foreign-born residents3%
18th
U.S. 14.1% · NC 9.1%496th of 802 in NC
Per capita income$28,872
16th
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · NC $41,385590th of 799 in NC
Homeownership rate48.4%
16th
WeaknessU.S. 65.2% · NC 66.6%727th of 788 in NC
Median gross rent$799
7th
U.S. $1,413 · NC $1,228523rd of 688 in NC
Bachelor's degree or higher13.3%
6th
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · NC 35.7%682nd of 799 in NC
Median earnings per worker$32,547
5th
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · NC $46,279696th of 788 in NC
Tech workers0.1%
3rd
U.S. 3.8% · NC 3.9%616th of 798 in NC
Median household income$35,118
2nd
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · NC $72,388728th of 748 in NC
Work from home2.4%
2nd
U.S. 15.1% · NC 16.3%711th of 799 in NC
Broadband access76.2%
2nd
WeaknessU.S. 91% · NC 90.1%708th of 788 in NC
Median home value$79,000
1st
U.S. $332,700 · NC $288,900744th of 757 in NC

Measure	28501	Lenoir	NC	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in NC
Poverty rateWeakness	29.4%	22%	13%	12.5%	96th	39th of 788
Unemployment rateWeakness	11.6%	9%	4.7%	5.2%	96th	43rd of 799
Healthcare workers	15.4%	14.8%	9.5%	9.7%	96th	75th of 798
Income inequality (Gini)Weakness	0.532	0.479	0.477	0.483	95th	47th of 781
Housing vacancy	19.9%	13.1%	12.5%	10.1%	93rd	209th of 789
Veterans	9.1%	8.3%	7.4%	6.2%	85th	213th of 801
Residents 65 and older	21.4%	21.5%	17.2%	17.2%	81st	314th of 802
Median age	42.7	41.9	39.1	38.9	75th	387th of 802
Uninsured rate	10%	10.1%	9.9%	8.4%	71st	370th of 797
Government workers	15.8%	16.5%	13.8%	14.5%	65th	327th of 798
Residents under 18	23.6%	22.6%	21.8%	22%	64th	219th of 802
Self-employed workers	10.5%	9%	9.8%	10%	64th	356th of 798
Diversity index	51.9	61.3	58.4	61.4	55th	309th of 802
Rent-burdened renters	47.5%	46.5%	48.9%	51.1%	37th	368th of 760
Population	17,642	54,919	10,730,404	334,922,499	27th	220th of 802
Average commute	22.6 min	24.3 min	25.1 min	26.4 min	27th	583rd of 771
Population density	177/sq mi	138/sq mi	221/sq mi	95/sq mi	19th	364th of 802
Foreign-born residents	3%	4.4%	9.1%	14.1%	18th	496th of 802
Per capita incomeWeakness	$28,872	$29,431	$41,385	$44,673	16th	590th of 799
Homeownership rateWeakness	48.4%	59.2%	66.6%	65.2%	16th	727th of 788
Median gross rent	$799	$861	$1,228	$1,413	7th	523rd of 688
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	13.3%	16.3%	35.7%	35.7%	6th	682nd of 799
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$32,547	$36,707	$46,279	$49,666	5th	696th of 788
Tech workers	0.1%	0.6%	3.9%	3.8%	3rd	616th of 798
Median household incomeWeakness	$35,118	$45,143	$72,388	$80,734	2nd	728th of 748
Work from home	2.4%	3.4%	16.3%	15.1%	2nd	711th of 799
Broadband accessWeakness	76.2%	81.3%	90.1%	91%	2nd	708th of 788
Median home value	$79,000	$120,500	$288,900	$332,700	1st	744th of 757

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

18%

5–17

18–24

12%

25–34

35–44

13%

45–54

13%

55–64

12%

65–74

10%

75+

Median age

42.7

Under 18

23.6%

65 and over

21.4%

Race and ethnicity

White24%
Black65%
Hispanic5%
Asian0.5%
Native American0.3%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0.5%
Multiracial5%

Diversity index

51.9

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

76.7%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

95%

Spanish

Other Indo-European

0.3%

Asian / Pacific

0.4%

Other

0.2%

Households

Households: 7,894
Average household size: 2.2
Family households: 56.6%
Married couples: 24.2%
Living alone: 40.4%
Veterans (of adults): 9.1%
Male / female: 45% / 55%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

35%

$25–50k

28%

$50–75k

13%

$75–100k

12%

$100–150k

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

28501

$35,118

Lenoir Co.

$45,143

North Carolina

$72,388

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$28,872

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

29.4%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

5.4%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.532

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

28501

$79,000

Lenoir Co.

$120,500

North Carolina

$288,900

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

28501

$799

Lenoir Co.

$861

North Carolina

$1,228

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

62%

2–4 units

5–19 units

11%

20+ units

Mobile home

14%

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 9,852
Owner-occupied: 48.4%
Vacant: 19.9%
Median year built: 1966
Median rooms: 4.9
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 47.5%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 23.3%
Home value to income: 2.2× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

83%

Carpooled

13%

Transit

0.4%

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

Other

0.1%

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

21%

10–19

35%

20–29

18%

30–44

14%

45–59

60+

Average commute

22.6 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

11.6%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

55.2%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Production

18%

Healthcare

15%

Management

11%

Transportation and moving

10%

Construction and repair

10%

Sales

Office and admin

Cleaning and personal care

Food service

Education

Police and fire

Legal and social services

Business and finance

Engineering and science

Arts, media and sports

0.7%

Farming, fishing and forestry

0.1%

Computer and math

0.1%

Industries

Health care and social assistance

22%

Manufacturing

19%

Construction

10%

Restaurants and hotels

Retail

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Public administration

Education

Other services

Professional and technical services

Admin, support and management

Agriculture and mining

Wholesale

Finance, insurance and real estate

Arts and recreation

0.9%

Information

0.3%

Median earnings per worker

$32,547

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

10.5%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

15.8%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

7.2%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	28501	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$57,614	$74,888
Service	$20,000	$26,804
Sales and office	$29,477	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$30,909	$49,199
Production and transportation	$36,705	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

18%

High school

36%

Some college

23%

Associate's

11%

Bachelor's

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 82.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 13.3%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.5%
Households with broadband: 76.2%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 47.4%
No internet access: 18.9%
Without health insurance: 10%
Limited-English households: 0.8%

Geography

City (USPS): Kinston
State: North Carolina
County: Lenoir County
Center point: 35.2391° N, 77.5272° W
Land area: 100 sq mi
Water area: 0.8 sq mi
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

28501 spans 2 counties

Lenoir County75% of land
Jones County26% of land

Cities and towns within this zip

Kinston9% of zip
Graingers (unincorporated)1% of zip

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

Zip codes near 28501

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
28502	Kinston, NC · PO box	3.5 mi	—	—	—
28504	Kinston, NC	6.2 mi	20,407	$53,583	$143,300
28503	Kinston, NC · PO box	6.7 mi	—	—	—
28526	Dover, NC	6.7 mi	1,842	$39,110	$124,200
28530	Grifton, NC	11 mi	6,484	$37,361	$151,300
28525	Deep Run, NC	12 mi	3,613	$59,191	$104,800
28538	Hookerton, NC	13 mi	1,989	$56,953	$114,800
28523	Cove City, NC	13 mi	2,753	$45,452	$158,600
28585	Trenton, NC	15 mi	3,893	$60,855	$126,200
28551	La Grange, NC	15 mi	14,078	$49,092	$131,100
28513	Ayden, NC	16 mi	10,573	$57,285	$161,600
28522	Comfort, NC · PO box	16 mi	—	—	—

Zip codes like 28501 elsewhere

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

Questions about 28501

What city is zip code 28501?

28501 is assigned to Kinston, North Carolina. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 28501 in?

28501 is mostly in Lenoir County, but it extends into 1 other county.

What is the population of 28501?

About 17,642 people live in 28501, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 28501 in?

28501 is in Eastern Time.

What is the median household income in 28501?

The median household income in 28501 is $35,118.

What zip codes are near 28501?

The closest zip codes to 28501 are 28502, 28504, 28503, 28526, 28530.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 28501, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.