| City: | Salter Path, North Carolina |
| County: | Carteret County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:01:42 PM |
| Population: | 164 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 252 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 34.6888, -76.8867 |
| Land Area: | 0.239 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Salter Path is a barrier island community on Bogue Banks, a narrow strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Sound. The 164 residents share a single street address system: W Fort Macon Road, which runs the length of the island. With 342 total housing units but only 70 occupied year-round, this is primarily a vacation destination where 71% of homes sit vacant most of the year.
The post office serves a dual population. Year-round residents are older (median age 57.6) and typically retired. They live alongside second-home owners who maintain PO Boxes for mail delivery while their beach houses remain empty through fall and winter. The 31 PO Boxes at the post office give seasonal residents a permanent address regardless of when they're actually on the island.
Mail delivery here follows an unusual pattern. Despite being classified as a PO Box ZIP code, the USPS actually delivers to 105 street addresses along Fort Macon Road, primarily serving the island's condominium units. Most properties use unit-based addressing rather than traditional house numbers. The small business community—11 establishments employing 58 people—operates mainly to serve summer tourists and weekend visitors.
Carteret County's barrier islands attract retirees with money. The median home value here is $242,900, well above typical coastal North Carolina prices for a community this size. Many residents worked elsewhere and moved here permanently, joining the 19.4% who work from home. At 0.239 square miles of land area, the entire ZIP code is smaller than many shopping centers, making it one of the state's most compact communities.
The entire community uses a single street address—W Fort Macon Road—with 105 delivery points distinguished by unit numbers rather than traditional street addresses. This single-road pattern is typical of narrow barrier islands where one main route runs the length of the landmass. Fort Macon, the historic Civil War-era fort at the eastern end of Bogue Banks, gives the road its name.
ZIP Code 28575 has 164 residents and 70 households (average 2.34 persons per household). The median age is 57.6 years, significantly older than the state (39.4) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.0% male and 53.0% female, which is slightly lower than the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (93.9%, much higher than the state average of 62.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Asian (1.2%, lower than the national average of 6.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 1.2%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 164Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 169Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 686.2 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 70Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $439,100Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.34Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.48Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 291 | 210 | 259 | 365 | 515 | 523 | 515 | 484 | 481 | 451 | 201 | 207 | 171 | 169 |
| Decennial Census | 316 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 164 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 57.6
Male Median Age: 55.2
Female Median Age: 61.2
| 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 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Female | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Total | 7 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 9 |
| White: | 154 | 96.86% |
| Black: | 1 | 0.63% |
| Hispanic:* | 2 | 1.26% |
| Asian: | 2 | 1.26% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 159 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 77 | 46.95% | 55.2 years |
| Females: | 87 | 53.05% | 61.2 years |
| Total: | 164 | 100% | 57.6 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 169 | 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: | 169 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 169 | 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 $61,691 (100.0%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $68,750. Family households earn a median of $174,375 versus $51,250 for nonfamily households (a difference of $123,125). By gender, male median income is $67,426 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $67,426 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 85.1%, which is considerably higher than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 16.7%, which is considerably above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (54.0%).
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 | $61,691 | $39,875 | $34,250 | $37,031 | $36,738 | $36,447 | $53,929 | $73,214 | $68,750 | $110,417 | $106,250 | $116,250 | $130,625 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $61,103 | $39,000 | $39,875 | $50,156 | $54,063 | $60,536 | $91,786 | $96,875 | $96,250 | $119,732 | $116,000 | $125,893 | $131,875 | $174,375 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $65,909 | $65,673 | $14,118 | $35,938 | $35,183 | $30,875 | $33,750 | $37,893 | $34,500 | $37,750 | $32,292 | $34,167 | $0 | $51,250 |
| Median Male Income | $22,955 | $24,615 | $33,750 | $36,442 | $0 | $55,750 | $0 | $77,422 | $88,750 | $82,500 | $78,977 | $87,250 | $89,318 | $67,426 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $71,339 | $0 | $43,571 | $0 | $41,250 | $34,779 | $33,438 | $63,250 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 100 | 70.92% |
| Unemployed: | 20 | 14.18% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 21 | 14.89% |
| Total: | 141 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 54 | 54.00% |
| Service: | 19 | 19.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 12 | 12.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 15 | 15.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 100 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $439,100, which is far above the national median ($303,400), is up $25,100 (6.06%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $112,900. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,348), and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $1,413. Of occupied housing, owners make up 84.34% (40.00% with a mortgage, 60.00% free-and-clear) and renters 15.66% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 72.24%, which is markedly above 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 | $414,000 | $300,000 | $294,600 | $245,000 | $267,400 | $276,400 | $301,300 | $298,500 | $326,200 | $350,900 | $314,700 | $321,400 | $242,900 | $439,100 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 6 | 46.15% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $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: | 7 | 53.85% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 13 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $743 | $907 | $904 | $950 | $1,297 | $1,281 | $1,413 | $1,400 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 28 | 33.73% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 42 | 50.60% |
| Renter Occupied: | 13 | 15.66% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 83 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 83 | 27.76% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 216 | 72.24% |
| Total Housing Units: | 299 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 147 | 49.16% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 122 | 40.80% |
| Other Units: | 30 | 10.03% |
| Total Housing Units: | 299 | 100% |
In 2024, 37.10% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 94.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 92.30%, which is well above the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 12.40%, which is far lower than the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 3.20 percentage points. Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (59.62%). College enrollment is 59.62%, 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: | 7 | 6.03% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 16 | 13.79% |
| Some college, no degree: | 32 | 27.59% |
| Associate's degree: | 18 | 15.52% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 14 | 12.07% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 29 | 25.00% |
| Total: | 116 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 109 | 93.97% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 43 | 37.07% |
| Private Insurance: | 156 | 88.14% |
| Public Insurance: | 21 | 11.86% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 177 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 177 | 100.00% |
| 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% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 2.8% | 3.0% | 3.2% | 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): | 10 | 19.23% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 11 | 21.15% |
| College or graduate school: | 31 | 59.62% |
| Total: | 52 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 21 | 40.38% |
ZIP Code 28575 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 9 business establishments, employing about 58 people with an annual payroll of $1,628,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 525Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 9Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $331,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,628,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 58Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 28575 is located in Carteret County, North Carolina, within the Morehead City, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 33980) and North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 66,469 people, about 0.25% of whom live in ZIP Code 28575. It covers 0.239 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Morehead City, NCSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 33980Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 66,469Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.239 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: 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: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
We could not locate which school district 28575 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.