| City: | Rodanthe, North Carolina |
| County: | Dare County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 7:56:09 PM |
| Population: | 213 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 252 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 35.6714, -75.4961 |
| Land Area: | 7.592 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Rodanthe sits on a narrow barrier island where the Atlantic Ocean meets Pamlico Sound, accessible only by NC Highway 12. Of the 530 housing units here, 404 are seasonal or vacation properties. That's 76% vacancy outside summer months. The 100 occupied households share space with properties that remain empty most of the year, creating a community that swells and contracts with tourist seasons.
The post office maintains 596 PO Boxes for those 100 year-round households. That's an adoption rate of 5.96, meaning the post office serves nearly six times as many boxes as local residents. Property owners who live elsewhere most of the year still need a reliable address for tax bills, rental agreements, and property management correspondence. A PO Box doesn't close when the beach house does.
Median home values reach $431,300, reflecting oceanfront real estate prices on the Outer Banks. The 213 residents who claim year-round status tend to be older (median age 49.1) and work in tourism-related fields or remotely. Street delivery exists through a combination of city carrier routes and rural routes, but for second-home owners checking in periodically, the PO Box system provides year-round reliability that seasonal occupancy can't support.
NC Highway 12 dominates as the primary thoroughfare through this barrier island community, with coastal-themed street names like Ocean Drive and Atlantic Drive serving the oceanfront properties. The limited street count (just 4 named streets) reflects the narrow geography of Hatteras Island at this location.
ZIP Code 27968 has 213 residents and 100 households (average 2.13 persons per household). The median age is 49.1 years, significantly older than the state (39.4) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 55.4% male and 44.6% female, which is higher than the state male share (48.5%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (92.5%, much higher than the state average of 62.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (3.8%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 3.8%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 213Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 781Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 28.1 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 100Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.13Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.53Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 405 | 339 | 287 | 282 | 270 | 195 | 120 | 125 | 141 | 178 | 135 | 184 | 306 | 781 |
| Decennial Census | 298 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 213 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 49.1
Male Median Age: 51
Female Median Age: 47.8
| 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 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Female | 8 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 9 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 18 | 12 | 19 | 26 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 1 |
| White: | 197 | 95.17% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 8 | 3.86% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 2 | 0.97% |
| Total: | 207 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 118 | 55.40% | 51.0 years |
| Females: | 95 | 44.60% | 47.8 years |
| Total: | 213 | 100% | 49.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 781 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 781 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 781 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $0, which is well under the national median ($78,538), is down $29,954 (100.0%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $59,180. Family households earn a median of $250,001 versus $34,115 for nonfamily households (a difference of $215,886). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 106.0%, which is markedly above the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (53.4%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $29,954 | $28,080 | $14,649 | $28,836 | $0 | $47,917 | $49,375 | $57,554 | $59,180 | $55,000 | $0 | $0 | $34,066 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $36,699 | $37,857 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $47,778 | $0 | $52,159 | $58,438 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $34,709 | $250,001 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $14,056 | $13,987 | $13,421 | $14,728 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $34,115 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $33,750 | $34,034 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 704 | 97.51% |
| Unemployed: | 18 | 2.49% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 722 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 376 | 53.41% |
| Service: | 139 | 19.74% |
| Sales and Office: | 109 | 15.48% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 17 | 2.41% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 63 | 8.95% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 704 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is much lower than the national median ($303,400), is down $582,800 (100.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,348), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 43.96% (65.65% with a mortgage, 34.35% free-and-clear) and renters 56.04% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 58.50%, which is far higher than the national rate (10.43%).
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 | $582,800 | $538,500 | $607,100 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $341,200 | $337,900 | $360,000 | $431,300 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 59 | 35.33% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 108 | 64.67% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 167 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $623 | $624 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 86 | 28.86% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 45 | 15.10% |
| Renter Occupied: | 167 | 56.04% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 298 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 298 | 41.50% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 420 | 58.50% |
| Total Housing Units: | 718 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 359 | 50.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 359 | 50.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 718 | 100% |
In 2024, 28.20% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 96.50%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 14.60%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%). Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (100.00%). College enrollment is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 18 | 3.50% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 136 | 26.41% |
| Some college, no degree: | 172 | 33.40% |
| Associate's degree: | 44 | 8.54% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 145 | 28.16% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 515 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 497 | 96.50% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 145 | 28.16% |
| Private Insurance: | 397 | 51.23% |
| Public Insurance: | 270 | 34.84% |
| No Insurance: | 108 | 13.94% |
| Total: | 775 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 667 | 86.06% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % 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% | 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): | 16 | 100.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 16 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 16 | 100.00% |
ZIP Code 27968 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 27 business establishments, employing about 163 people with an annual payroll of $6,907,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 658Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 27Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $919,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $6,907,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 163Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 27968 is located in Dare County, North Carolina, within the Kill Devil Hills, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 28620) and North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 33,920 people, about 0.63% of whom live in ZIP Code 27968. It covers 7.592 sq mi of land and a water area of 5.237 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Kill Devil Hills, NCSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 28620Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 33,920Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 7.592 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 5.237 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 03Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 7810.08 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3757580Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Rodanthe CDP; North CarolinaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 27968 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.