| City: | Durham, North Carolina |
| Names to Avoid: | Duke, Duke University |
| County: | Durham County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:36:15 PM |
| Population: | 3,419 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 919 / 984 |
| Classification: | Unique [Company/Government] |
| Coordinates: | 36.0016, -78.9379 |
| Land Area: | 0.436 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Duke University, one of America's premier research institutions, operates under dedicated ZIP code 27708 in Durham County, North Carolina. The university traces its origins to 1838 when a preparatory school opened in Randolph County; it became Trinity College in 1859 and moved to Durham in 1892 with support from tobacco magnate Washington Duke. On December 11, 1924, Washington Duke's son James Buchanan Duke established The Duke Endowment with a $40 million gift (equivalent to $734 million today), creating Duke University as a memorial to his father. That initial endowment has grown to $11.9 billion as of 2024.
The postal boundary covers approximately 0.88 square miles on Duke's West Campus. Postal records identify 136 ZIP+4 codes serving the main university facilities, though the nearby Duke Medical Center operates under a separate ZIP code (27710). The West Campus features the iconic Duke Chapel and the Gothic architecture that defines the university's visual identity. This ZIP serves the undergraduate colleges, graduate schools, and administrative buildings that form the academic core.
The 2020 Census counted 3,419 residents within this ZIP boundary, with a median age of 19.7 years confirming a student-dominated population. Approximately 99% of residents (3,398 people) live in non-institutional group quarters, consistent with undergraduate dormitory housing. The USPS has maintained this dedicated postal designation for over two decades. Durham is the valid mailing city.
| Population: | 3,419 |
| Median Age: | 19.7 |
| Housing Units: | 15 |
| Establishments: | 24 |
| Employment: | 18,882 |
Buildings registered in the USPS ZIP+4 database with designated codes for direct mail delivery.
ZIP Code 27708 has 3,419 residents and 15 households (average 1.40 persons per household). The median age is 19.7 years, significantly younger than the state (39.4) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 46.7% male and 53.3% female, which is slightly lower than the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are Black or African American (85.3%, much higher than the state average of 20.5% and well above the national average of 12.4%) and White (6.7%, much lower than the state average of 62.2% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 5.0%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%), and Black or African American share is much higher than both the state (20.5%) and national averages (12.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 3,419Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 3,185Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 7,841.7 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 15Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.40Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 9.50Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,408 | 3,209 | 3,185 |
| Decennial Census | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3,419 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 19.7
Male Median Age: 19.4
Female Median Age: 20
| 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,189 | 330 | 43 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Female | 0 | 0 | 0 | 916 | 739 | 100 | 38 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,105 | 1,069 | 143 | 72 | 3 | 5 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White: | 228 | 6.44% |
| Black: | 2,916 | 82.33% |
| Hispanic:* | 170 | 4.80% |
| Asian: | 63 | 1.78% |
| American Indian: | 1 | 0.03% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 164 | 4.63% |
| Total: | 3,542 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 1,597 | 46.71% | 19.4 years |
| Females: | 1,822 | 53.29% | 20.0 years |
| Total: | 3,419 | 100% | 19.7 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 2,750 | 86.34% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 4 | 0.13% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 37 | 1.16% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 394 | 13.53% |
| Total Population: | 3,185 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 2,754 | 86.47% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 431 | 13.53% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $0, which is far less than the state median ($69,904), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is well under the state female median ($49,054), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 32.1%, which is markedly below the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (40.7%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $6,546 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 983 | 30.86% |
| Unemployed: | 39 | 1.22% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 2,163 | 67.91% |
| Total: | 3,185 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 366 | 37.23% |
| Service: | 400 | 40.69% |
| Sales and Office: | 160 | 16.28% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 13 | 1.32% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 44 | 4.48% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 983 | 100% |
In 2023, 100.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is markedly above the state rate (34.70%), well above both the state and national averages. High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 5.10%, which is markedly below the state rate (10.40%). Private coverage is 91.90%, which is notably higher than the state rate (67.10%). Public coverage is 3.20%, which is far lower than the national rate (36.30%). Insufficient data for poverty. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (100.00%). College enrollment is 100.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some college, no degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 28 | 100.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 28 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 28 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 28 | 100.00% |
| Private Insurance: | 2,928 | 91.73% |
| Public Insurance: | 102 | 3.20% |
| No Insurance: | 162 | 5.08% |
| Total: | 3,192 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 3,030 | 94.92% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 3,180 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 3,180 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0.00% |
ZIP Code 27708 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 25 business establishments, employing about 20,632 people with an annual payroll of $1,713,635,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 4,028Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 25Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $333,680,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,713,635,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 20,632Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 27708 is located in Durham County, North Carolina, within the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 20500) and North Carolina's 4th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 594,291 people, about 0.58% of whom live in ZIP Code 27708. It covers 0.436 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Durham-Chapel Hill, NCSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 20500Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 594,291Source: Census |
| MSA: | Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.436 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 04Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 1045.35 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3719000Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Durham city; North CarolinaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 27708 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 January 1, 2026.