What city is ZIP code 27981?

ZIP code 27981 is in Wanchese, NC (Dare County).

What county is ZIP code 27981 in?

ZIP code 27981 is mostly in Dare County, North Carolina.

How many people live in ZIP code 27981?

About 1,969 people live in the 27981 ZIP Code Tabulation Area, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

Checked Oct 26, 2026

ZIP Code 27981

Wanchese, NC, Dare County

Population

1,969

Land area

9.1sq mi

People per sq mi

216

City

Wanchese

ZIP 27981 and nearby ZIP codes

Full map

ZIP 27981 at a glance

Households here earn a median of $88,750 a year, 23% more than the North Carolina figure 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 ZIP 27981

Counts from official public data

Housing and community stats

ZIP 27981, American Community Survey 2020-2024

Full profile

Median household income

$88,750

Poverty rate

6.9%

Median home value

$311,800

Prices +49.5% in a year

Median rent

$1,073/mo

Homeownership

69.4%

Bachelor's or higher

28.8%

Median age

36.4

Average commute

17.6 min

Income, education and commute

Economy and federal money

Businesses, pandemic loans and political donations

Details

Business establishments

ZIP Business Patterns 2023

Employees

666

$33.6M annual payroll

PPP loans

$3.2M

51 loans

Campaign donations

$13.8K

8% D, 81% R, 2026 cycle

PPP loans in this ZIP

Environment and hazard risk

ZIP 27981, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA

Full report

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

Hazards, floods and storm history Check a flood zone

Health statistics

Share of adults in ZIP 27981, CDC PLACES estimates

All 40 measures

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)

9.8%

U.S. 11.1% -1.3 pts

Frequently asked questions

What city is ZIP code 27981?: ZIP code 27981 is in Wanchese, NC (Dare County).
What county is ZIP code 27981 in?: ZIP code 27981 is mostly in Dare County, North Carolina.
How many people live in ZIP code 27981?: About 1,969 people live in the 27981 ZIP Code Tabulation Area, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023. ZIP Code Tabulation Areas closely match, but are not identical to, USPS ZIP code delivery areas.