28043 ZIP Code
Forest City, North carolina
December 12, 2025
| ZIP Code: | 28043 |
| City/Town: | Forest City |
| County: | Rutherford |
| State: | North carolina |
| ZIP Type: | Standard |
| Population: | 21,264 |
| Median Household Income: | $43,770 |
| Per Capita Income: | $28,698 |
| Total Housing Units: | 9,208 |
| Median Home Value: | $150,000 |
| Land Area: | 66.3 sq miles
171.7 sq km |
| Water Area: | 0.1 sq miles
0.4 sq km |
| Coordinates: | 35.3124, -81.8703 |
Population Information (28043 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population: | 21,264 | -- | -- |
| Male: | 10,232 | 48.1% | 49.6% |
| Female: | 11,032 | 51.9% | 50.4% |
| Median Age: | 37.6 yrs | -- | 38.5 yrs |
| Under 5 years: | 1,517 | 7.1% | 5.7% |
| 5 to 9 years: | 1,655 | 7.8% | 6.0% |
| 10 to 14 years: | 1,307 | 6.1% | 6.5% |
| 15 to 19 years: | 1,473 | 6.9% | 6.6% |
| 20 to 24 years: | 1,161 | 5.5% | 6.7% |
| 25 to 34 years: | 2,956 | 13.9% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 years: | 2,476 | 11.6% | 12.9% |
| 45 to 54 years: | 2,770 | 13.0% | 12.4% |
| 55 to 59 years: | 910 | 4.3% | 6.5% |
| 60 to 64 years: | 1,379 | 6.5% | 6.4% |
| 65 to 74 years: | 2,137 | 10.0% | 9.7% |
| 75 to 84 years: | 1,255 | 5.9% | 4.8% |
| 85 years and over: | 268 | 1.3% | 2.0% |
Housing Information (28043 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value: | $150,000 | -- | $281,900 |
| Median rooms: | 5.6 | -- | 5.5 |
| Median rent: | $723 / mo. | -- | $1,268 / mo. |
| Total housing units: | 9,208 | -- | -- |
| Occupied housing units: | 8,146 | 88.5% | 38.0% |
| Vacant housing units: | 1,062 | 11.5% | 4.6% |
| Housing tenure: | -- | -- | -- |
| Owner-occupied: | 5,158 | 63.3% | 64.8% |
| Renter-occupied: | 2,988 | 36.7% | 35.2% |
Educational Attainment (28043 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 years and over: | 14,151 | -- | -- |
| Less than 9th grade: | 705 | 5.0% | 4.7% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 1,485 | 10.5% | 6.1% |
| High school graduate: | 4,343 | 30.7% | 26.4% |
| Some college, no degree: | 3,438 | 24.3% | 19.7% |
| Associate degree: | 1,783 | 12.6% | 8.7% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 1,465 | 10.4% | 20.9% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 932 | 6.6% | 13.7% |
| Percent high school graduate or higher: | -- | 84.5% | 89.1% |
| Percent bachelor's degree or higher: | -- | 16.9% | 34.3% |
Income Information (28043 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income: | $43,770 / yr. | $75,149 / yr. |
| Mean household income: | $65,204 / yr. | $105,833 / yr. |
| Median family income: | $50,962 / yr. | $92,646 / yr. |
| Per capita income: | $28,698 / yr. | $41,261 / yr. |
Employment (28043 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In labor force: | 9,434 | -- | 63.5% |
| Employed: | 8,711 | 92.3% | 96.4% |
| Unemployed: | 723 | 7.7% | 5.3% |
| Not in labor force: | 7,047 | -- | -- |
| Class of Worker: | -- | -- | -- |
| Private wage and salary: | 7,128 | 81.8% | 79.7% |
| Government workers: | 1,049 | 12.0% | 14.2% |
| Self-employed: | 524 | 6.0% | 5.9% |
| Unpaid family workers: | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% |
Race & Ethnicity (28043 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race (one race): | -- | -- | -- |
| White: | 15,653 | 73.6% | 61.6% |
| Black or African American: | 2,949 | 13.9% | 12.4% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native: | 24 | 0.1% | 1.1% |
| Asian: | 200 | 0.9% | 6.0% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| Some other race: | 974 | 4.6% | 8.4% |
| Two or more races: | 1,464 | 6.9% | 10.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race): | 1,220 | 5.7% | 18.7% |
| Mexican: | 1,898 | 8.9% | 11.2% |
| Puerto Rican: | 992 | 4.7% | 1.8% |
| Cuban: | 112 | 0.5% | 0.7% |
| Other Hispanic or Latino: | 152 | 0.7% | 5.0% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino: | 642 | 3.0% | 81.1% |
Income Distribution (28043 zip code)
| Household Income | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $10,000: | 411 | 5.0% | 4.9% |
| $10,000 to $14,999: | 580 | 7.1% | 3.8% |
| $15,000 to $24,999: | 1,434 | 17.6% | 7.0% |
| $25,000 to $34,999: | 850 | 10.4% | 7.4% |
| $35,000 to $49,999: | 1,240 | 15.2% | 10.7% |
| $50,000 to $74,999: | 1,287 | 15.8% | 16.1% |
| $75,000 to $99,999: | 1,006 | 12.3% | 12.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 707 | 8.7% | 17.1% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 281 | 3.4% | 8.8% |
| $200,000 or more: | 350 | 4.3% | 11.4% |
Commute to Work (28043 zip code)
| Commute Method | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone: | 6,821 | 78.3% | 67.8% |
| Carpooled: | 1,188 | 13.6% | 8.7% |
| Public transportation: | 17 | 0.2% | 4.2% |
| Walked: | 79 | 0.9% | 2.5% |
| Other means: | 109 | 1.3% | 0.9% |
| Worked from home: | 327 | 3.8% | 13.8% |
| Mean travel time to work: | 23.0 min | -- | 26.7 min |
Industry (28043 zip code)
| Industry Sector | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining: | 91 | 1.0% | 1.6% |
| Construction: | 705 | 8.1% | 6.9% |
| Manufacturing: | 1,510 | 17.3% | 10.0% |
| Wholesale trade: | 79 | 0.9% | 2.4% |
| Retail trade: | 991 | 11.4% | 11.0% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities: | 444 | 5.1% | 5.8% |
| Information: | 153 | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate: | 219 | 2.5% | 6.7% |
| Professional, scientific, management: | 1,326 | 15.2% | 12.1% |
| Education, health care, social services: | 1,643 | 18.9% | 23.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, food services: | 826 | 9.5% | 9.0% |
| Other services: | 495 | 5.7% | 4.7% |
| Public administration: | 229 | 2.6% | 4.7% |
Poverty Status (28043 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty Rate: | -- | 26.7% | 8.8% |
| All people below poverty level: | -- | -- | -- |
| Under 18 years: | -- | -- | 16.3% |
| 18 to 64 years: | -- | -- | 11.0% |
| 65 years and over: | -- | -- | 10.3% |
Health Insurance (28043 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With health insurance: | 17,979 | 84.6% | 91.3% |
| Private health insurance: | 10,972 | 51.6% | 67.6% |
| Public health coverage: | 10,234 | 48.1% | 35.9% |
| Without health insurance: | 3,149 | 14.8% | 8.7% |
Benefits & Assistance (28043 zip code)
| Households with: | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings: | 5,694 | 69.9% | 77.4% |
| Social Security income: | 3,128 | 38.4% | 31.0% |
| Retirement income: | 1,884 | 23.1% | 21.8% |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI): | 655 | 8.0% | 4.5% |
| Cash public assistance income: | 221 | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| SNAP (food stamps) benefits: | 2,093 | 25.7% | 11.4% |
Housing Types (28043 zip code)
| Structure Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-unit, detached: | 6,290 | 68.3% | 61.4% |
| 1-unit, attached: | 150 | 1.6% | 6.1% |
| 2 units: | 103 | 1.1% | 3.4% |
| 3 or 4 units: | 459 | 5.0% | 4.3% |
| 5 to 9 units: | 512 | 5.6% | 4.6% |
| 10 to 19 units: | 32 | 0.3% | 4.3% |
| 20 or more units: | 159 | 1.7% | 9.9% |
| Mobile home: | 1,481 | 16.1% | 5.8% |
| Boat, RV, van, etc.: | 22 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
Year Structure Built (28043 zip code)
| Year Built | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built 2020 or later: | 39 | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Built 2010 to 2019: | 101 | 1.1% | 8.2% |
| Built 2000 to 2009: | 823 | 8.9% | 13.5% |
| Built 1990 to 1999: | 1,322 | 14.4% | 13.2% |
| Built 1980 to 1989: | 1,316 | 14.3% | 13.2% |
| Built 1970 to 1979: | 2,103 | 22.8% | 14.6% |
| Built 1960 to 1969: | 1,443 | 15.7% | 10.2% |
| Built 1950 to 1959: | 923 | 10.0% | 9.9% |
| Built 1940 to 1949: | 621 | 6.7% | 4.6% |
| Built 1939 or earlier: | 517 | 5.6% | 12.0% |
Bedrooms (28043 zip code)
| Number of Bedrooms | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio): | 153 | 1.7% | 2.4% |
| 1 bedroom: | 555 | 6.0% | 3.0% |
| 2 bedrooms: | 2,674 | 29.0% | 9.1% |
| 3 bedrooms: | 4,620 | 50.2% | 15.9% |
| 4 bedrooms: | 928 | 10.1% | 18.8% |
| 5 or more bedrooms: | 278 | 3.0% | 17.6% |
Heating Fuel (28043 zip code)
| Fuel Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility gas: | 1,071 | 13.1% | 47.1% |
| Bottled, tank, or LP gas: | 423 | 5.2% | 4.9% |
| Electricity: | 6,036 | 74.1% | 40.2% |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.: | 422 | 5.2% | 4.2% |
| Coal or coke: | 47 | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Wood: | 58 | 0.7% | 1.5% |
| Solar energy: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Other fuel: | 36 | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| No fuel used: | 53 | 0.7% | 0.2% |
Vehicles Available (28043 zip code)
| Vehicles | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle available: | 529 | 6.5% | 8.3% |
| 1 vehicle available: | 2,713 | 33.3% | 32.6% |
| 2 vehicles available: | 2,845 | 34.9% | 37.0% |
| 3 or more vehicles available: | 2,059 | 25.3% | 22.1% |
Home Value Distribution (28043 zip code)
| Value Range | Owner Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $50,000: | 640 | 12.4% | 5.7% |
| $50,000 to $99,999: | 930 | 18.0% | 7.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 1,009 | 19.6% | 9.2% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 1,099 | 21.3% | 10.8% |
| $200,000 to $299,999: | 842 | 16.3% | 19.9% |
| $300,000 to $499,999: | 473 | 9.2% | 24.1% |
| $500,000 to $999,999: | 147 | 2.8% | 17.0% |
| $1,000,000 or more: | 18 | 0.3% | 5.6% |
Housing Costs (28043 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median owner costs (with mortgage): | $1,055 / mo. | $1,828 / mo. |
| Median owner costs (no mortgage): | $335 / mo. | $584 / mo. |
| Median gross rent: | $723 / mo. | $1,268 / mo. |
| Average household size (owner-occupied): | 2.61 | 2.53 |
| Average household size (renter-occupied): | 2.52 | 2.38 |
Households (28043 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households: | 8,146 | -- | -- |
| Married-couple households: | 3,175 | 39.0% | 47.5% |
| Cohabiting couple households: | 1,190 | 14.6% | 7.0% |
| Male householder, no spouse: | 1,411 | 17.3% | 5.4% |
| Female householder, no spouse: | 2,987 | 36.7% | 12.7% |
| Householder living alone: | 2,854 | 35.0% | 28.6% |
| 65 years and over living alone: | 2,650 | 32.5% | 11.8% |
| Average household size: | 2.58 | -- | 2.53 |
| Average family size: | 3.14 | -- | -- |
Marital Status (28043 zip code)
| Population 15 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 7,959 | -- | -- |
| Never married: | 2,870 | 36.1% | 37.0% |
| Now married: | 3,530 | 44.4% | 49.5% |
| Separated: | 320 | 4.0% | 1.5% |
| Widowed: | 846 | 10.6% | 2.6% |
| Divorced: | 2,361 | 29.7% | 9.3% |
School Enrollment (28043 zip code)
| Population 3 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled in school: | 5,222 | -- | -- |
| Nursery school, preschool: | 215 | 4.1% | 5.8% |
| Kindergarten: | 479 | 9.2% | 5.0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 2,290 | 43.9% | 40.5% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 1,132 | 21.7% | 21.4% |
| College or graduate school: | 1,106 | 21.2% | 27.3% |
Veterans & Disability (28043 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian population 18 years and over: | 15,983 | -- | -- |
| Veterans: | 1,019 | 6.4% | 6.3% |
| Civilian noninstitutionalized population: | 21,128 | -- | -- |
| With a disability: | 4,022 | 19.0% | 13.4% |
| Under 18 with disability: | 309 | 7.7% | 5.8% |
| 18 to 64 with disability: | 2,089 | 51.9% | 10.4% |
| 65 and over with disability: | 1,624 | 40.4% | 33.4% |
Mobility (Residence 1 Year Ago) (28043 zip code)
| Population 1 year and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same house: | 17,964 | 84.5% | 86.9% |
| Different house: | 2,870 | 13.5% | 13.1% |
| Same county: | 1,966 | 68.5% | 7.0% |
| Different county: | 883 | 30.8% | 3.2% |
| Different state: | 505 | 17.6% | 2.5% |
| Abroad: | 21 | 0.7% | 0.4% |
Place of Birth (28043 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native born: | 20,343 | 95.7% | 86.2% |
| Foreign born: | 140 | 0.7% | 13.9% |
| Naturalized citizen: | 921 | 657.9% | 52.7% |
| Not a citizen: | 921 | 657.9% | 47.3% |
| Foreign-born by region: | -- | -- | -- |
| Europe: | 921 | 657.9% | 10.5% |
| Asia: | 24 | 17.1% | 31.3% |
| Africa: | 0 | 0.0% | 5.5% |
| Oceania: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.5% |
| Latin America: | 725 | 517.9% | 50.0% |
| Northern America: | 0 | 0.0% | 2.2% |
Language Spoken at Home (28043 zip code)
| Population 5 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 19,747 | -- | -- |
| English only: | 18,196 | 92.1% | 78.3% |
| Language other than English: | 1,551 | 7.9% | 21.5% |
| By language: | -- | -- | -- |
| Spanish: | 1,303 | 6.6% | 13.3% |
| Other Indo-European languages: | 27 | 0.1% | 3.5% |
| Asian/Pacific Island languages: | 156 | 0.8% | 3.5% |
| Other languages: | 65 | 0.3% | 1.0% |
Computers & Internet (28043 zip code)
| Households | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households with a computer: | 8,146 | 100.0% | 93.1% |
| Households with broadband internet: | 7,299 | 89.6% | 89.4% |
Forest City, NC28043