| City: | Linville, North Carolina |
| County: | Avery County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:58:39 PM |
| Population: | 553 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 828 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 36.0802, -81.8649 |
| Land Area: | 23.21 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Linville sits in the high mountains of Avery County, North Carolina, where 77% of homes are used seasonally. Of the 1,220 housing units here, 934 are vacant most of the year, occupied only during summer months and ski season. The year-round population is just 553 people in 245 households.
The Linville post office maintains 540 PO Boxes for this small permanent population. That's 2.2 boxes for every household, a pattern that makes sense when you consider who needs mail here. Seasonal homeowners keep boxes year-round even when they're not in residence. Vacation renters need temporary addresses. Historic mountain cottages often lack standard street addressing.
Street names tell the story of a vacation community built around natural beauty and recreation. Golf Course Road has 18 delivery points. Mountain Springs Road has 22. There's Cottage Court, Cottage Trail, and Cottage Crest. Vista Knoll, Vista Way, and Vista Trail offer mountain views. Grandfather Mountain Road and Linville Falls Highway reference the area's famous landmarks.
With a median age of 56.9 years and median home values of $394,300, Linville fits the profile of a retirement and second-home community. Nearly 20% of workers (46 of 236) work from home, a rate higher than the national average. This isn't a traditional town with daily commuters. Most occupied homes belong to retirees or professionals who can work remotely from the mountains.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the 28.5 square miles of mountainous territory. Rural route R001 serves the area, but it delivers to PO Boxes at the post office, not to individual homes. Residents drive to the post office to collect packages, prescriptions, and mail.
The economy here runs on tourism and seasonal services. There are 48 business establishments employing 763 people, far more jobs than resident workers. Many employees commute from surrounding areas to staff resorts, golf courses, and vacation rentals during peak seasons. In winter, the population swells with skiers. In summer, visitors come for hiking, waterfalls, and escape from lowland heat.
Street names emphasize mountain geography, vacation cottages, and recreational amenities like golf courses and scenic vistas.
ZIP Code 28646 has 553 residents and 245 households (average 2.26 persons per household). The median age is 56.9 years, significantly older than the state (39.4) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 49.9% male and 50.1% female, which is slightly higher than the state male share (48.5%). Largest groups are White (91.5%, much higher than the state average of 62.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (6.1%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 6.1%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 553Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 544Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 23.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $73,868Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 245Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $394,300Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.26Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.31Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 658 | 647 | 638 | 564 | 534 | 386 | 419 | 308 | 310 | 393 | 414 | 574 | 544 |
| Decennial Census | 342 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 553 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 56.9
Male Median Age: 54.5
Female Median Age: 59.4
| 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 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 29 | 30 | 19 | 9 | 10 |
| Female | 7 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 19 | 24 | 42 | 21 | 35 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
| Total | 21 | 16 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 35 | 19 | 13 | 38 | 46 | 60 | 50 | 65 | 31 | 21 | 20 |
| White: | 506 | 90.36% |
| Black: | 2 | 0.36% |
| Hispanic:* | 34 | 6.07% |
| Asian: | 2 | 0.36% |
| American Indian: | 6 | 1.07% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 10 | 1.79% |
| Total: | 560 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 276 | 49.91% | 54.5 years |
| Females: | 277 | 50.09% | 59.4 years |
| Total: | 553 | 100% | 56.9 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 486 | 89.34% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 58 | 10.66% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 10.66% |
| Total Population: | 544 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 486 | 89.34% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 58 | 10.66% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $73,868, which is below the national median ($78,538), is down $2,695 (3.5%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $23,204. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $26,190 for nonfamily households (a difference of $26,190). By gender, male median income is $31,563 and female is $53,214, which is considerably higher than the state female median ($49,054), with a current gap of $21,651 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 61.9%, which is trails slightly the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 14.5%, which is considerably above the state rate (4.7%). The largest occupation group is Management (49.0%).
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 | $76,563 | $68,750 | $42,727 | $42,083 | $40,172 | $24,815 | $0 | $63,390 | $50,664 | $67,163 | $69,489 | $71,538 | $73,868 |
| Median Family Income | $84,145 | $79,554 | $68,333 | $44,875 | $0 | $25,917 | $40,833 | $63,938 | $42,604 | $67,163 | $83,542 | $72,308 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $56,047 | $55,690 | $38,482 | $41,204 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $13,750 | $26,167 | $26,190 |
| Median Male Income | $51,806 | $55,453 | $50,096 | $53,409 | $0 | $0 | $19,125 | $19,250 | $26,211 | $26,250 | $28,542 | $29,509 | $31,563 |
| Median Female Income | $34,297 | $33,750 | $32,548 | $17,424 | $0 | $16,406 | $16,402 | $0 | $26,477 | $0 | $0 | $50,813 | $53,214 |
| Employed: | 247 | 52.89% |
| Unemployed: | 42 | 8.99% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 178 | 38.12% |
| Total: | 467 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 121 | 48.99% |
| Service: | 3 | 1.21% |
| Sales and Office: | 106 | 42.91% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 1 | 0.40% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 16 | 6.48% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 247 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $394,300, which is markedly greater than the state median ($259,400), is up $26,400 (7.18%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $137,000. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,162), and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $817. Of occupied housing, owners make up 82.30% (29.03% with a mortgage, 70.97% free-and-clear) and renters 17.70% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 78.76%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $367,900 | $320,200 | $146,100 | $147,900 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $328,800 | $531,300 | $400,000 | $405,400 | $387,900 | $394,300 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 40 | 100.00% |
| $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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 40 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $817 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 54 | 23.89% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 132 | 58.41% |
| Renter Occupied: | 40 | 17.70% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 226 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 226 | 21.24% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 838 | 78.76% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,064 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 860 | 80.83% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 162 | 15.23% |
| Other Units: | 42 | 3.95% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,064 | 100% |
In 2023, 29.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 6.80%, which is on par with the state rate (10.40%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is on par with the state rate (9.40%). 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 on par with the state rate (27.10%), 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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 128 | 31.30% |
| Some college, no degree: | 96 | 23.47% |
| Associate's degree: | 63 | 15.40% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 83 | 20.29% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 39 | 9.54% |
| Total: | 409 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 409 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 122 | 29.83% |
| Private Insurance: | 378 | 57.53% |
| Public Insurance: | 242 | 36.83% |
| No Insurance: | 37 | 5.63% |
| Total: | 657 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 620 | 94.37% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 2.9% | 2.8% | 4.1% | 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): | 36 | 100.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 36 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 36 | 100.00% |
ZIP Code 28646 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 45 business establishments, employing about 785 people with an annual payroll of $45,669,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 2,141Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 45Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $8,392,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $45,669,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 785Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 28646 is located in Avery County, North Carolina, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and North Carolina's 5th Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 28646. It covers 23.21 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.055 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Number: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 23.21 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.055 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 05Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 3571.86 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3738420Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Linville CDP; North CarolinaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 28646 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.