Checked
Wanchese, NC
Census-designated place in Dare County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 27981.
Population
1,956
Land area
4.7sq mi
People per sq mi
419
ZIP codes
1
Wanchese and its ZIP codes
Wanchese at a glance
- Wanchese is 90% denser than North Carolina as a whole.
- The median household income is $88,750, 23% above the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $311,800 (8% above North Carolina) and median rent is $1,073 a month.
Local data for Wanchese, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Wanchese, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$88,750
Poverty rate
6.3%
Median home value
$311,800
Median rent
$1,073/mo
Homeownership
69.4%
Bachelor's or higher
28.9%
Median age
36.3
Average commute
17.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (108), German Americans (58), Honduran Americans (45).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Dare County. PPP loans are for Wanchese.
Unemployment rate
2.7%
Sep 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$48,717
20,728 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$83,613
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$532M
FY 2026, $14,403 per person
How people get to work
Wanchese, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone83.5%
- Carpooled11.2%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.7%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.4%
- Worked from home3.2%
Average one-way commute: 17.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Wanchese, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: hurricane
Storm events since 1996
381
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
12,409
39.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
86° / 36°F
46.5 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Wanchese, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
34.4%
U.S. 33.3% +1.1 pts
Diabetes
11.7%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
15.6%
U.S. 12.8% +2.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.7%
U.S. 11.1% -1.4 pts
ZIP codes in Wanchese
1 in or overlapping Wanchese. Population shown
Cities near Wanchese
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| ManteoTown | 4.1 mi | 1.9 |
| Nags HeadTown | 5.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Manns HarborCensus-designated place | 8.6 mi | 4 |
| Kill Devil HillsTown | 13 mi | 5.6 |
| Kitty HawkTown | 17 mi | 8.1 |
| RodantheCensus-designated place | 20 mi | 1 |
| Southern ShoresTown | 20 mi | 3.9 |
| WavesCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 0.7 |
| SalvoCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 1 |
| DuckTown | 25 mi | 2.4 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Wanchese, NC in?
- Wanchese is in Dare County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Wanchese, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Wanchese include 27981.
- What is the population of Wanchese, NC?
- About 1,956 people live in Wanchese, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Wanchese?
- Nearby places include Manteo (4.1 mi), Nags Head (5.9 mi), Manns Harbor (8.6 mi), Kill Devil Hills (13 mi), Kitty Hawk (17 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023