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Valdese, NC
Town in Burke County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 28671, 28690.
Population
4,704
Land area
7.9sq mi
People per sq mi
599
ZIP codes
2
Valdese and its ZIP codes
Valdese at a glance
- Valdese is about 2.7 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- The median household income is $50,740, 30% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $209,800 (27% below North Carolina) and median rent is $665 a month.
Local data for Valdese, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Valdese, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$50,740
Poverty rate
12.8%
Median home value
$209,800
Median rent
$665/mo
Homeownership
72.9%
Bachelor's or higher
37.2%
Median age
52.6
Average commute
26.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (998), Irish Americans (518), Scottish Americans (264).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Burke County. PPP loans are for Valdese.
Unemployment rate
3.4%
Aug 2026, -0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$51,032
29,771 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$51,046
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$591M
FY 2026, $6,749 per person
How people get to work
Valdese, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone87.7%
- Carpooled1.4%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home10.9%
Average one-way commute: 26.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Valdese, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
800
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
112
0.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
88° / 28°F
51.5 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone2 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Valdese, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
34.3%
U.S. 33.3% +1.0 pts
Diabetes
12.7%
U.S. 12.1% +0.6 pts
Smoking
14.6%
U.S. 12.8% +1.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.0%
U.S. 11.1% -2.1 pts
ZIP codes in Valdese
2 in or overlapping Valdese. Population shown
Cities near Valdese
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Rutherford CollegeTown | 2.3 mi | 2.3 |
| Connelly SpringsTown | 3.6 mi | 5 |
| DrexelTown | 3.7 mi | 1.4 |
| IcardCensus-designated place | 4.9 mi | 3.8 |
| RhodhissTown | 7.2 mi | 1.2 |
| SawmillsTown | 7.3 mi | 6.6 |
| HildebranTown | 7.5 mi | 2.8 |
| MorgantonCity | 7.9 mi | 19.2 |
| SalemCensus-designated place | 8.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Cajah's MountainTown | 8.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Granite FallsTown | 8.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Long ViewTown | 9.2 mi | 4 |
| HudsonTown | 9.2 mi | 3.7 |
| GamewellTown | 9.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Mountain ViewCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 4.7 |
| NorthlakesCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 1.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Valdese, NC in?
- Valdese is in Burke County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Valdese, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Valdese include 28671, 28690.
- What is the population of Valdese, NC?
- About 4,704 people live in Valdese, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Valdese?
- Nearby places include Rutherford College (2.3 mi), Connelly Springs (3.6 mi), Drexel (3.7 mi), Icard (4.9 mi), Rhodhiss (7.2 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023