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Waves, NC
Census-designated place in Dare County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 27972, 27982.
Population
153
Land area
0.7sq mi
People per sq mi
227
ZIP codes
2
Waves and its ZIP codes
Local data for Waves, NC
Counts from official public data
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Dare County. PPP loans are for Waves.
Unemployment rate
2.9%
Aug 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
Environment and hazard risk
Waves, 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
87° / 40°F
61.6 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Waves, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
33.3%
U.S. 33.3% about the same
Diabetes
12.0%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
14.1%
U.S. 12.8% +1.3 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
6.6%
U.S. 11.1% -4.5 pts
ZIP codes in Waves
2 in or overlapping Waves. Population shown
Cities near Waves
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| SalvoCensus-designated place | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| RodantheCensus-designated place | 1.6 mi | 1 |
| AvonCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 2.3 |
| WancheseCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 4.7 |
| BuxtonCensus-designated place | 23 mi | 7.8 |
| FriscoCensus-designated place | 24 mi | 4.8 |
| ManteoTown | 25 mi | 1.9 |
| Nags HeadTown | 25 mi | 6.6 |
| HatterasCensus-designated place | 27 mi | 1.6 |
| Manns HarborCensus-designated place | 28 mi | 4 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Waves, NC in?
- Waves is in Dare County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Waves, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Waves include 27972, 27982.
- What is the population of Waves, NC?
- About 153 people live in Waves, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Waves?
- Nearby places include Salvo (1.5 mi), Rodanthe (1.6 mi), Avon (15 mi), Wanchese (21 mi), Buxton (23 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023