| City: | Little Switzerland, North Carolina |
| City Alias: | Ltl Switzrlnd |
| County: | Mcdowell County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:04:31 PM |
| Population: | 157 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 828 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 35.8483, -82.0774 |
| Land Area: | 1.169 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Little Switzerland sits along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the mountains of western North Carolina. This tiny community occupies less than a third of a square mile in McDowell County, perched high in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With just 157 year-round residents, it's one of the smallest populated ZIP codes in the state.
The name isn't just marketing. The area's steep terrain and cool mountain air reminded early visitors of the Swiss Alps. Today, the village functions primarily as a vacation and second-home destination. Of the 160 housing units here, only 62 are occupied year-round. Another 54 homes (34% of total housing) sit vacant most of the year, reserved for seasonal and recreational use. That leaves the permanent population outnumbered by vacation properties.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery for the surrounding mountain communities. The post office maintains 288 PO Boxes for just 62 local households, a ratio of nearly 5 to 1. Seasonal residents, nearby cabin owners, and people from outlying areas all depend on this single post office. It's the mail hub for miles of mountain territory beyond its compact boundary.
The community draws educated, older residents and visitors. Median age is 47.5 years, and nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Most homes are owner-occupied (77%), with historic properties dating back generations. Many of the 74 housing structures predate 1939, reflecting the area's long history as a mountain retreat. Highway 226A runs through the village, connecting to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the mountain attractions that draw visitors here.
The post office isn't just a mail stop. In a community this small and seasonal, it's where year-round residents cross paths with summer visitors and second homeowners. For those living in the surrounding mountains without street addresses, the Little Switzerland post office is their connection to the outside world.
Street names reference the highway connecting to Blue Ridge Parkway and scenic mountain features.
ZIP Code 28749 has 157 residents and 62 households (average 2.53 persons per household). The median age is 47.5 years, significantly older than the state (39.4) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 54.1% male and 45.9% female, which is higher than the state male share (48.5%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (81.5%, much higher than the state average of 62.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (6.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 6.4%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 157Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 0Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 134.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 62Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.53Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.88Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 40 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 29 | 138 | 130 | 111 | 85 | 94 | 0 |
| Decennial Census | 50 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 157 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 47.5
Male Median Age: 47.5
Female Median Age: 47.5
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 8 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Female | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Total | 14 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 4 | 4 |
| White: | 128 | 89.51% |
| Black: | 2 | 1.40% |
| Hispanic:* | 10 | 6.99% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 3 | 2.10% |
| Total: | 143 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 85 | 54.14% | 47.5 years |
| Females: | 72 | 45.86% | 47.5 years |
| Total: | 157 | 100% | 47.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 0 | 0% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Population: | 0 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Insufficient data for owner/renter mix. Insufficient data for vacancy rate.
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 0 | 0% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 0 | 0% |
| Renter Occupied: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 0 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 33 | 100.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 33 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 33 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Housing Units: | 33 | 100% |
ZIP Code 28749 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 12 business establishments, employing about 42 people with an annual payroll of $3,832,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 447Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 12Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $308,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $3,832,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 42Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 28749 is located in Mcdowell County, North Carolina, within the Marion, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 32000) and North Carolina's 11st Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 28749. It covers 1.169 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Marion, NCSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 32000Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 1.169 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 11Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 6838.24 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
We could not locate which school district 28749 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.