28779 ZIP Code
Sylva, North carolina
December 12, 2025
| ZIP Code: | 28779 |
| City/Town: | Sylva |
| County: | Jackson |
| State: | North carolina |
| ZIP Type: | Standard |
| Population: | 18,421 |
| Median Household Income: | $53,470 |
| Per Capita Income: | $35,393 |
| Total Housing Units: | 9,732 |
| Median Home Value: | $224,600 |
| Land Area: | 108.0 sq miles
279.7 sq km |
| Water Area: | 0.0 sq miles
0.0 sq km |
| Coordinates: | 35.3558, -83.2097 |
Population Information (28779 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population: | 18,421 | -- | -- |
| Male: | 9,043 | 49.1% | 49.6% |
| Female: | 9,378 | 50.9% | 50.4% |
| Median Age: | 42.9 yrs | -- | 38.5 yrs |
| Under 5 years: | 900 | 4.9% | 5.7% |
| 5 to 9 years: | 1,181 | 6.4% | 6.0% |
| 10 to 14 years: | 1,035 | 5.6% | 6.5% |
| 15 to 19 years: | 872 | 4.7% | 6.6% |
| 20 to 24 years: | 1,183 | 6.4% | 6.7% |
| 25 to 34 years: | 2,201 | 11.9% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 years: | 2,339 | 12.7% | 12.9% |
| 45 to 54 years: | 2,461 | 13.4% | 12.4% |
| 55 to 59 years: | 824 | 4.5% | 6.5% |
| 60 to 64 years: | 1,333 | 7.2% | 6.4% |
| 65 to 74 years: | 2,614 | 14.2% | 9.7% |
| 75 to 84 years: | 1,104 | 6.0% | 4.8% |
| 85 years and over: | 374 | 2.0% | 2.0% |
Housing Information (28779 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value: | $224,600 | -- | $281,900 |
| Median rooms: | 4.9 | -- | 5.5 |
| Median rent: | $745 / mo. | -- | $1,268 / mo. |
| Total housing units: | 9,732 | -- | -- |
| Occupied housing units: | 8,214 | 84.4% | 38.0% |
| Vacant housing units: | 1,518 | 15.6% | 4.6% |
| Housing tenure: | -- | -- | -- |
| Owner-occupied: | 5,339 | 65.0% | 64.8% |
| Renter-occupied: | 2,875 | 35.0% | 35.2% |
Educational Attainment (28779 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 years and over: | 13,250 | -- | -- |
| Less than 9th grade: | 468 | 3.5% | 4.7% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 465 | 3.5% | 6.1% |
| High school graduate: | 3,939 | 29.7% | 26.4% |
| Some college, no degree: | 2,722 | 20.5% | 19.7% |
| Associate degree: | 1,761 | 13.3% | 8.7% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 2,318 | 17.5% | 20.9% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 1,577 | 11.9% | 13.7% |
| Percent high school graduate or higher: | -- | 93.0% | 89.1% |
| Percent bachelor's degree or higher: | -- | 29.4% | 34.3% |
Income Information (28779 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income: | $53,470 / yr. | $75,149 / yr. |
| Mean household income: | $69,315 / yr. | $105,833 / yr. |
| Median family income: | $71,954 / yr. | $92,646 / yr. |
| Per capita income: | $35,393 / yr. | $41,261 / yr. |
Employment (28779 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In labor force: | 8,619 | -- | 63.5% |
| Employed: | 8,348 | 97.4% | 96.4% |
| Unemployed: | 220 | 2.6% | 5.3% |
| Not in labor force: | 6,370 | -- | -- |
| Class of Worker: | -- | -- | -- |
| Private wage and salary: | 5,426 | 65.0% | 79.7% |
| Government workers: | 2,273 | 27.2% | 14.2% |
| Self-employed: | 644 | 7.7% | 5.9% |
| Unpaid family workers: | 5 | 0.1% | 0.1% |
Race & Ethnicity (28779 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race (one race): | -- | -- | -- |
| White: | 16,467 | 89.4% | 61.6% |
| Black or African American: | 154 | 0.8% | 12.4% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native: | 351 | 1.9% | 1.1% |
| Asian: | 235 | 1.3% | 6.0% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| Some other race: | 255 | 1.4% | 8.4% |
| Two or more races: | 959 | 5.2% | 10.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race): | 544 | 3.0% | 18.7% |
| Mexican: | 743 | 4.0% | 11.2% |
| Puerto Rican: | 401 | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Cuban: | 69 | 0.4% | 0.7% |
| Other Hispanic or Latino: | 63 | 0.3% | 5.0% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino: | 210 | 1.1% | 81.1% |
Income Distribution (28779 zip code)
| Household Income | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $10,000: | 484 | 5.9% | 4.9% |
| $10,000 to $14,999: | 694 | 8.4% | 3.8% |
| $15,000 to $24,999: | 588 | 7.2% | 7.0% |
| $25,000 to $34,999: | 965 | 11.7% | 7.4% |
| $35,000 to $49,999: | 1,107 | 13.5% | 10.7% |
| $50,000 to $74,999: | 1,383 | 16.8% | 16.1% |
| $75,000 to $99,999: | 1,292 | 15.7% | 12.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 1,160 | 14.1% | 17.1% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 349 | 4.2% | 8.8% |
| $200,000 or more: | 192 | 2.3% | 11.4% |
Commute to Work (28779 zip code)
| Commute Method | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone: | 6,864 | 82.2% | 67.8% |
| Carpooled: | 498 | 6.0% | 8.7% |
| Public transportation: | 5 | 0.1% | 4.2% |
| Walked: | 145 | 1.7% | 2.5% |
| Other means: | 27 | 0.3% | 0.9% |
| Worked from home: | 428 | 5.1% | 13.8% |
| Mean travel time to work: | 20.8 min | -- | 26.7 min |
Industry (28779 zip code)
| Industry Sector | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining: | 43 | 0.5% | 1.6% |
| Construction: | 535 | 6.4% | 6.9% |
| Manufacturing: | 368 | 4.4% | 10.0% |
| Wholesale trade: | 118 | 1.4% | 2.4% |
| Retail trade: | 955 | 11.4% | 11.0% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities: | 283 | 3.4% | 5.8% |
| Information: | 165 | 2.0% | 1.9% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate: | 322 | 3.9% | 6.7% |
| Professional, scientific, management: | 480 | 5.7% | 12.1% |
| Education, health care, social services: | 3,192 | 38.2% | 23.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, food services: | 841 | 10.1% | 9.0% |
| Other services: | 625 | 7.5% | 4.7% |
| Public administration: | 421 | 5.0% | 4.7% |
Poverty Status (28779 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty Rate: | -- | 16.3% | 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 (28779 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With health insurance: | 16,002 | 86.9% | 91.3% |
| Private health insurance: | 12,001 | 65.1% | 67.6% |
| Public health coverage: | 7,199 | 39.1% | 35.9% |
| Without health insurance: | 2,188 | 11.9% | 8.7% |
Benefits & Assistance (28779 zip code)
| Households with: | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings: | 5,949 | 72.4% | 77.4% |
| Social Security income: | 3,271 | 39.8% | 31.0% |
| Retirement income: | 2,189 | 26.6% | 21.8% |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI): | 426 | 5.2% | 4.5% |
| Cash public assistance income: | 145 | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| SNAP (food stamps) benefits: | 1,137 | 13.8% | 11.4% |
Housing Types (28779 zip code)
| Structure Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-unit, detached: | 6,755 | 69.4% | 61.4% |
| 1-unit, attached: | 71 | 0.7% | 6.1% |
| 2 units: | 132 | 1.4% | 3.4% |
| 3 or 4 units: | 334 | 3.4% | 4.3% |
| 5 to 9 units: | 221 | 2.3% | 4.6% |
| 10 to 19 units: | 75 | 0.8% | 4.3% |
| 20 or more units: | 38 | 0.4% | 9.9% |
| Mobile home: | 2,086 | 21.4% | 5.8% |
| Boat, RV, van, etc.: | 20 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
Year Structure Built (28779 zip code)
| Year Built | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built 2020 or later: | 33 | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Built 2010 to 2019: | 466 | 4.8% | 8.2% |
| Built 2000 to 2009: | 1,720 | 17.7% | 13.5% |
| Built 1990 to 1999: | 1,600 | 16.4% | 13.2% |
| Built 1980 to 1989: | 2,083 | 21.4% | 13.2% |
| Built 1970 to 1979: | 1,390 | 14.3% | 14.6% |
| Built 1960 to 1969: | 715 | 7.3% | 10.2% |
| Built 1950 to 1959: | 474 | 4.9% | 9.9% |
| Built 1940 to 1949: | 546 | 5.6% | 4.6% |
| Built 1939 or earlier: | 705 | 7.2% | 12.0% |
Bedrooms (28779 zip code)
| Number of Bedrooms | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio): | 358 | 3.7% | 2.4% |
| 1 bedroom: | 642 | 6.6% | 3.0% |
| 2 bedrooms: | 3,271 | 33.6% | 9.1% |
| 3 bedrooms: | 4,667 | 48.0% | 15.9% |
| 4 bedrooms: | 708 | 7.3% | 18.8% |
| 5 or more bedrooms: | 86 | 0.9% | 17.6% |
Heating Fuel (28779 zip code)
| Fuel Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility gas: | 62 | 0.8% | 47.1% |
| Bottled, tank, or LP gas: | 1,420 | 17.3% | 4.9% |
| Electricity: | 5,816 | 70.8% | 40.2% |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.: | 443 | 5.4% | 4.2% |
| Coal or coke: | 44 | 0.5% | 0.1% |
| Wood: | 281 | 3.4% | 1.5% |
| Solar energy: | 18 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Other fuel: | 74 | 0.9% | 0.5% |
| No fuel used: | 56 | 0.7% | 0.2% |
Vehicles Available (28779 zip code)
| Vehicles | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle available: | 394 | 4.8% | 8.3% |
| 1 vehicle available: | 2,662 | 32.4% | 32.6% |
| 2 vehicles available: | 3,123 | 38.0% | 37.0% |
| 3 or more vehicles available: | 2,035 | 24.8% | 22.1% |
Home Value Distribution (28779 zip code)
| Value Range | Owner Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $50,000: | 139 | 2.6% | 5.7% |
| $50,000 to $99,999: | 314 | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 759 | 14.2% | 9.2% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 977 | 18.3% | 10.8% |
| $200,000 to $299,999: | 1,829 | 34.3% | 19.9% |
| $300,000 to $499,999: | 1,069 | 20.0% | 24.1% |
| $500,000 to $999,999: | 197 | 3.7% | 17.0% |
| $1,000,000 or more: | 55 | 1.0% | 5.6% |
Housing Costs (28779 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median owner costs (with mortgage): | $1,173 / mo. | $1,828 / mo. |
| Median owner costs (no mortgage): | $295 / mo. | $584 / mo. |
| Median gross rent: | $745 / mo. | $1,268 / mo. |
| Average household size (owner-occupied): | 2.24 | 2.53 |
| Average household size (renter-occupied): | 2.18 | 2.38 |
Households (28779 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households: | 8,214 | -- | -- |
| Married-couple households: | 3,830 | 46.6% | 47.5% |
| Cohabiting couple households: | 862 | 10.5% | 7.0% |
| Male householder, no spouse: | 1,531 | 18.6% | 5.4% |
| Female householder, no spouse: | 2,350 | 28.6% | 12.7% |
| Householder living alone: | 1,738 | 21.2% | 28.6% |
| 65 years and over living alone: | 2,856 | 34.8% | 11.8% |
| Average household size: | 2.22 | -- | 2.53 |
| Average family size: | 2.69 | -- | -- |
Marital Status (28779 zip code)
| Population 15 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 7,467 | -- | -- |
| Never married: | 2,402 | 32.2% | 37.0% |
| Now married: | 3,830 | 51.3% | 49.5% |
| Separated: | 168 | 2.2% | 1.5% |
| Widowed: | 929 | 12.4% | 2.6% |
| Divorced: | 1,689 | 22.6% | 9.3% |
School Enrollment (28779 zip code)
| Population 3 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled in school: | 3,877 | -- | -- |
| Nursery school, preschool: | 121 | 3.1% | 5.8% |
| Kindergarten: | 269 | 6.9% | 5.0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 1,747 | 45.1% | 40.5% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 844 | 21.8% | 21.4% |
| College or graduate school: | 896 | 23.1% | 27.3% |
Veterans & Disability (28779 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian population 18 years and over: | 14,523 | -- | -- |
| Veterans: | 1,463 | 10.1% | 6.3% |
| Civilian noninstitutionalized population: | 18,190 | -- | -- |
| With a disability: | 2,479 | 13.6% | 13.4% |
| Under 18 with disability: | 66 | 2.7% | 5.8% |
| 18 to 64 with disability: | 1,303 | 52.6% | 10.4% |
| 65 and over with disability: | 1,110 | 44.8% | 33.4% |
Mobility (Residence 1 Year Ago) (28779 zip code)
| Population 1 year and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same house: | 15,581 | 84.6% | 86.9% |
| Different house: | 2,676 | 14.5% | 13.1% |
| Same county: | 1,102 | 41.2% | 7.0% |
| Different county: | 1,531 | 57.2% | 3.2% |
| Different state: | 856 | 32.0% | 2.5% |
| Abroad: | 43 | 1.6% | 0.4% |
Place of Birth (28779 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native born: | 17,809 | 96.7% | 86.2% |
| Foreign born: | 86 | 0.5% | 13.9% |
| Naturalized citizen: | 612 | 711.6% | 52.7% |
| Not a citizen: | 612 | 711.6% | 47.3% |
| Foreign-born by region: | -- | -- | -- |
| Europe: | 612 | 711.6% | 10.5% |
| Asia: | 61 | 70.9% | 31.3% |
| Africa: | 66 | 76.7% | 5.5% |
| Oceania: | 20 | 23.3% | 0.5% |
| Latin America: | 299 | 347.7% | 50.0% |
| Northern America: | 16 | 18.6% | 2.2% |
Language Spoken at Home (28779 zip code)
| Population 5 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 17,521 | -- | -- |
| English only: | 16,742 | 95.6% | 78.3% |
| Language other than English: | 779 | 4.4% | 21.5% |
| By language: | -- | -- | -- |
| Spanish: | 393 | 2.2% | 13.3% |
| Other Indo-European languages: | 241 | 1.4% | 3.5% |
| Asian/Pacific Island languages: | 49 | 0.3% | 3.5% |
| Other languages: | 96 | 0.5% | 1.0% |
Computers & Internet (28779 zip code)
| Households | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households with a computer: | 8,214 | 100.0% | 93.1% |
| Households with broadband internet: | 7,686 | 93.6% | 89.4% |
Sylva, NC28779