28139 ZIP Code
Rutherfordton, North carolina
December 12, 2025
| ZIP Code: | 28139 |
| City/Town: | Rutherfordton |
| County: | Rutherford |
| State: | North carolina |
| ZIP Type: | Standard |
| Population: | 18,624 |
| Median Household Income: | $55,371 |
| Per Capita Income: | $34,849 |
| Total Housing Units: | 8,871 |
| Median Home Value: | $180,600 |
| Land Area: | 181.9 sq miles
471.0 sq km |
| Water Area: | 0.2 sq miles
0.4 sq km |
| Coordinates: | 35.3484, -81.9947 |
Population Information (28139 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population: | 18,624 | -- | -- |
| Male: | 8,745 | 47.0% | 49.6% |
| Female: | 9,879 | 53.0% | 50.4% |
| Median Age: | 49.1 yrs | -- | 38.5 yrs |
| Under 5 years: | 876 | 4.7% | 5.7% |
| 5 to 9 years: | 1,020 | 5.5% | 6.0% |
| 10 to 14 years: | 941 | 5.1% | 6.5% |
| 15 to 19 years: | 1,075 | 5.8% | 6.6% |
| 20 to 24 years: | 687 | 3.7% | 6.7% |
| 25 to 34 years: | 2,014 | 10.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 years: | 2,067 | 11.1% | 12.9% |
| 45 to 54 years: | 1,934 | 10.4% | 12.4% |
| 55 to 59 years: | 1,699 | 9.1% | 6.5% |
| 60 to 64 years: | 1,548 | 8.3% | 6.4% |
| 65 to 74 years: | 2,420 | 13.0% | 9.7% |
| 75 to 84 years: | 1,735 | 9.3% | 4.8% |
| 85 years and over: | 608 | 3.3% | 2.0% |
Housing Information (28139 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value: | $180,600 | -- | $281,900 |
| Median rooms: | 5.9 | -- | 5.5 |
| Median rent: | $856 / mo. | -- | $1,268 / mo. |
| Total housing units: | 8,871 | -- | -- |
| Occupied housing units: | 7,728 | 87.1% | 38.0% |
| Vacant housing units: | 1,143 | 12.9% | 4.6% |
| Housing tenure: | -- | -- | -- |
| Owner-occupied: | 6,202 | 80.3% | 64.8% |
| Renter-occupied: | 1,526 | 19.7% | 35.2% |
Educational Attainment (28139 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 years and over: | 14,025 | -- | -- |
| Less than 9th grade: | 706 | 5.0% | 4.7% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 1,136 | 8.1% | 6.1% |
| High school graduate: | 4,089 | 29.2% | 26.4% |
| Some college, no degree: | 3,338 | 23.8% | 19.7% |
| Associate degree: | 1,674 | 11.9% | 8.7% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 2,149 | 15.3% | 20.9% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 933 | 6.7% | 13.7% |
| Percent high school graduate or higher: | -- | 86.9% | 89.1% |
| Percent bachelor's degree or higher: | -- | 22.0% | 34.3% |
Income Information (28139 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income: | $55,371 / yr. | $75,149 / yr. |
| Mean household income: | $71,031 / yr. | $105,833 / yr. |
| Median family income: | $66,946 / yr. | $92,646 / yr. |
| Per capita income: | $34,849 / yr. | $41,261 / yr. |
Employment (28139 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In labor force: | 7,956 | -- | 63.5% |
| Employed: | 7,748 | 97.4% | 96.4% |
| Unemployed: | 208 | 2.6% | 5.3% |
| Not in labor force: | 7,720 | -- | -- |
| Class of Worker: | -- | -- | -- |
| Private wage and salary: | 5,992 | 77.3% | 79.7% |
| Government workers: | 1,211 | 15.6% | 14.2% |
| Self-employed: | 497 | 6.4% | 5.9% |
| Unpaid family workers: | 48 | 0.6% | 0.1% |
Race & Ethnicity (28139 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race (one race): | -- | -- | -- |
| White: | 16,513 | 88.7% | 61.6% |
| Black or African American: | 1,022 | 5.5% | 12.4% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native: | 28 | 0.2% | 1.1% |
| Asian: | 33 | 0.2% | 6.0% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| Some other race: | 256 | 1.4% | 8.4% |
| Two or more races: | 772 | 4.1% | 10.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race): | 652 | 3.5% | 18.7% |
| Mexican: | 784 | 4.2% | 11.2% |
| Puerto Rican: | 506 | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| Cuban: | 36 | 0.2% | 0.7% |
| Other Hispanic or Latino: | 11 | 0.1% | 5.0% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino: | 231 | 1.2% | 81.1% |
Income Distribution (28139 zip code)
| Household Income | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $10,000: | 527 | 6.8% | 4.9% |
| $10,000 to $14,999: | 684 | 8.9% | 3.8% |
| $15,000 to $24,999: | 592 | 7.7% | 7.0% |
| $25,000 to $34,999: | 975 | 12.6% | 7.4% |
| $35,000 to $49,999: | 864 | 11.2% | 10.7% |
| $50,000 to $74,999: | 1,549 | 20.0% | 16.1% |
| $75,000 to $99,999: | 725 | 9.4% | 12.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 1,248 | 16.1% | 17.1% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 233 | 3.0% | 8.8% |
| $200,000 or more: | 331 | 4.3% | 11.4% |
Commute to Work (28139 zip code)
| Commute Method | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone: | 5,686 | 73.4% | 67.8% |
| Carpooled: | 1,121 | 14.5% | 8.7% |
| Public transportation: | 0 | 0.0% | 4.2% |
| Walked: | 127 | 1.6% | 2.5% |
| Other means: | 168 | 2.2% | 0.9% |
| Worked from home: | 446 | 5.8% | 13.8% |
| Mean travel time to work: | 27.2 min | -- | 26.7 min |
Industry (28139 zip code)
| Industry Sector | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining: | 221 | 2.9% | 1.6% |
| Construction: | 562 | 7.3% | 6.9% |
| Manufacturing: | 1,050 | 13.6% | 10.0% |
| Wholesale trade: | 114 | 1.5% | 2.4% |
| Retail trade: | 958 | 12.4% | 11.0% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities: | 474 | 6.1% | 5.8% |
| Information: | 66 | 0.9% | 1.9% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate: | 314 | 4.1% | 6.7% |
| Professional, scientific, management: | 825 | 10.6% | 12.1% |
| Education, health care, social services: | 1,623 | 20.9% | 23.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, food services: | 807 | 10.4% | 9.0% |
| Other services: | 326 | 4.2% | 4.7% |
| Public administration: | 408 | 5.3% | 4.7% |
Poverty Status (28139 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty Rate: | -- | 17.0% | 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 (28139 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With health insurance: | 16,125 | 86.6% | 91.3% |
| Private health insurance: | 10,887 | 58.5% | 67.6% |
| Public health coverage: | 8,526 | 45.8% | 35.9% |
| Without health insurance: | 1,990 | 10.7% | 8.7% |
Benefits & Assistance (28139 zip code)
| Households with: | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings: | 4,930 | 63.8% | 77.4% |
| Social Security income: | 3,874 | 50.1% | 31.0% |
| Retirement income: | 2,239 | 29.0% | 21.8% |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI): | 452 | 5.8% | 4.5% |
| Cash public assistance income: | 85 | 1.1% | 1.8% |
| SNAP (food stamps) benefits: | 1,229 | 15.9% | 11.4% |
Housing Types (28139 zip code)
| Structure Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-unit, detached: | 6,479 | 73.0% | 61.4% |
| 1-unit, attached: | 236 | 2.7% | 6.1% |
| 2 units: | 96 | 1.1% | 3.4% |
| 3 or 4 units: | 74 | 0.8% | 4.3% |
| 5 to 9 units: | 52 | 0.6% | 4.6% |
| 10 to 19 units: | 0 | 0.0% | 4.3% |
| 20 or more units: | 124 | 1.4% | 9.9% |
| Mobile home: | 1,779 | 20.1% | 5.8% |
| Boat, RV, van, etc.: | 31 | 0.3% | 0.1% |
Year Structure Built (28139 zip code)
| Year Built | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built 2020 or later: | 51 | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Built 2010 to 2019: | 414 | 4.7% | 8.2% |
| Built 2000 to 2009: | 1,627 | 18.3% | 13.5% |
| Built 1990 to 1999: | 2,033 | 22.9% | 13.2% |
| Built 1980 to 1989: | 917 | 10.3% | 13.2% |
| Built 1970 to 1979: | 1,020 | 11.5% | 14.6% |
| Built 1960 to 1969: | 945 | 10.7% | 10.2% |
| Built 1950 to 1959: | 641 | 7.2% | 9.9% |
| Built 1940 to 1949: | 429 | 4.8% | 4.6% |
| Built 1939 or earlier: | 794 | 9.0% | 12.0% |
Bedrooms (28139 zip code)
| Number of Bedrooms | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio): | 54 | 0.6% | 2.4% |
| 1 bedroom: | 261 | 2.9% | 3.0% |
| 2 bedrooms: | 2,115 | 23.8% | 9.1% |
| 3 bedrooms: | 5,167 | 58.2% | 15.9% |
| 4 bedrooms: | 1,010 | 11.4% | 18.8% |
| 5 or more bedrooms: | 264 | 3.0% | 17.6% |
Heating Fuel (28139 zip code)
| Fuel Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility gas: | 558 | 7.2% | 47.1% |
| Bottled, tank, or LP gas: | 1,124 | 14.5% | 4.9% |
| Electricity: | 4,950 | 64.1% | 40.2% |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.: | 702 | 9.1% | 4.2% |
| Coal or coke: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Wood: | 304 | 3.9% | 1.5% |
| Solar energy: | 32 | 0.4% | 0.1% |
| Other fuel: | 2 | 0.0% | 0.5% |
| No fuel used: | 56 | 0.7% | 0.2% |
Vehicles Available (28139 zip code)
| Vehicles | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle available: | 376 | 4.9% | 8.3% |
| 1 vehicle available: | 1,838 | 23.8% | 32.6% |
| 2 vehicles available: | 2,970 | 38.4% | 37.0% |
| 3 or more vehicles available: | 2,544 | 32.9% | 22.1% |
Home Value Distribution (28139 zip code)
| Value Range | Owner Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $50,000: | 609 | 9.8% | 5.7% |
| $50,000 to $99,999: | 952 | 15.3% | 7.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 959 | 15.5% | 9.2% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 925 | 14.9% | 10.8% |
| $200,000 to $299,999: | 1,476 | 23.8% | 19.9% |
| $300,000 to $499,999: | 813 | 13.1% | 24.1% |
| $500,000 to $999,999: | 411 | 6.6% | 17.0% |
| $1,000,000 or more: | 57 | 0.9% | 5.6% |
Housing Costs (28139 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median owner costs (with mortgage): | $1,081 / mo. | $1,828 / mo. |
| Median owner costs (no mortgage): | $351 / mo. | $584 / mo. |
| Median gross rent: | $856 / mo. | $1,268 / mo. |
| Average household size (owner-occupied): | 2.35 | 2.53 |
| Average household size (renter-occupied): | 2.27 | 2.38 |
Households (28139 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households: | 7,728 | -- | -- |
| Married-couple households: | 3,631 | 47.0% | 47.5% |
| Cohabiting couple households: | 880 | 11.4% | 7.0% |
| Male householder, no spouse: | 1,613 | 20.9% | 5.4% |
| Female householder, no spouse: | 1,958 | 25.3% | 12.7% |
| Householder living alone: | 1,777 | 23.0% | 28.6% |
| 65 years and over living alone: | 3,430 | 44.4% | 11.8% |
| Average household size: | 2.34 | -- | 2.53 |
| Average family size: | 2.88 | -- | -- |
Marital Status (28139 zip code)
| Population 15 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 7,363 | -- | -- |
| Never married: | 1,802 | 24.5% | 37.0% |
| Now married: | 3,962 | 53.8% | 49.5% |
| Separated: | 564 | 7.7% | 1.5% |
| Widowed: | 794 | 10.8% | 2.6% |
| Divorced: | 1,932 | 26.2% | 9.3% |
School Enrollment (28139 zip code)
| Population 3 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled in school: | 3,655 | -- | -- |
| Nursery school, preschool: | 291 | 8.0% | 5.8% |
| Kindergarten: | 97 | 2.7% | 5.0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 1,652 | 45.2% | 40.5% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 739 | 20.2% | 21.4% |
| College or graduate school: | 876 | 24.0% | 27.3% |
Veterans & Disability (28139 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian population 18 years and over: | 15,012 | -- | -- |
| Veterans: | 1,391 | 9.3% | 6.3% |
| Civilian noninstitutionalized population: | 18,115 | -- | -- |
| With a disability: | 3,985 | 22.0% | 13.4% |
| Under 18 with disability: | 152 | 3.8% | 5.8% |
| 18 to 64 with disability: | 1,923 | 48.3% | 10.4% |
| 65 and over with disability: | 1,910 | 47.9% | 33.4% |
Mobility (Residence 1 Year Ago) (28139 zip code)
| Population 1 year and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same house: | 15,691 | 84.3% | 86.9% |
| Different house: | 2,799 | 15.0% | 13.1% |
| Same county: | 1,374 | 49.1% | 7.0% |
| Different county: | 1,419 | 50.7% | 3.2% |
| Different state: | 642 | 22.9% | 2.5% |
| Abroad: | 6 | 0.2% | 0.4% |
Place of Birth (28139 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native born: | 18,048 | 96.9% | 86.2% |
| Foreign born: | 102 | 0.5% | 13.9% |
| Naturalized citizen: | 576 | 564.7% | 52.7% |
| Not a citizen: | 576 | 564.7% | 47.3% |
| Foreign-born by region: | -- | -- | -- |
| Europe: | 576 | 564.7% | 10.5% |
| Asia: | 52 | 51.0% | 31.3% |
| Africa: | 14 | 13.7% | 5.5% |
| Oceania: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.5% |
| Latin America: | 371 | 363.7% | 50.0% |
| Northern America: | 92 | 90.2% | 2.2% |
Language Spoken at Home (28139 zip code)
| Population 5 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 17,748 | -- | -- |
| English only: | 16,923 | 95.4% | 78.3% |
| Language other than English: | 825 | 4.6% | 21.5% |
| By language: | -- | -- | -- |
| Spanish: | 620 | 3.5% | 13.3% |
| Other Indo-European languages: | 174 | 1.0% | 3.5% |
| Asian/Pacific Island languages: | 31 | 0.2% | 3.5% |
| Other languages: | 0 | 0.0% | 1.0% |
Computers & Internet (28139 zip code)
| Households | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households with a computer: | 7,728 | 100.0% | 93.1% |
| Households with broadband internet: | 6,841 | 88.5% | 89.4% |
Rutherfordton, NC28139