ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 27597

Part of Zebulon, NC

Pop. 30,184·Wake County·38th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$1,948/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.0%

Month-over-Month

+0.8%

vs US Median

+$16

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 27597 · $1,948

More expensive than 58% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,170

1 BR

$1,190

2 BR

$1,350

3 BR

$1,660

4 BR+

$2,200

Research median

$1,350/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 27597 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in ZIP 27597 changed +3.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($84,625) is $2,116 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,660); a 4-bedroom is $2,200.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 27597. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$23,376/yr

At $1,948/mo median

Location

CityZebulon

StateNC

CountyWake County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.0% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 27597 (Zebulon, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 26.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

30,184

Median income

$84,625

Median age

38.9

Renters

19.9%

Age distribution

25.4%

18.4%

29.7%

15.3%

Under 1825.4%

18–3418.4%

35–5429.7%

55–6411.2%

65+15.3%

Gender

48.4%

51.6%

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

Race & ethnicity

53.6%

26.9%

17.3%

White53.6%

Black26.9%

Hispanic17.3%

Other2.1%

Education (25+)

12.3%

29.8%

30.9%

26.9%

No HS diploma12.3%

HS diploma29.8%

Some college30.9%

Bachelor's+26.9%

Housing tenure

80.1%

19.9%

Owner80.1%

Renter19.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 27597 in Zebulon, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,831 → $1,948

up 6.4%

Income

$72,094 → $84,625

up 17.4%

Population

28,095 → 30,184

up 7.4%

Renter share

20.9% → 19.9%

-1.0 pts

Bachelor's+

21.2% → 26.9%

+5.7 pts

Compared with 2023, rent in ZIP 27597 in Zebulon, NC has increased by $117 per month, settling near $1,948 after starting the period at $1,831. Census figures show median household income at $84,625 today, compared with $72,094 five years earlier. Income growth outran rent by about 11.0 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 28,095 to 30,184 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.4% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 21.2% to 26.9%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 27597

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 27597 covers Zebulon, NC. The median rent here is $1,948/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,190/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,350/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($84,625/yr), ZIP 27597 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 27597?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (about $38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,948/mo in ZIP 27597. The local median household income is $84,625/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 27597?

Rent in ZIP 27597 has risen 3.0% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2022.

How does ZIP 27597 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 27597 is one of the pricier among North Carolina ZIP codes for rent, ranking #38 of 230 at $1,948/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 27597 changed +3.0%, against a typical +2.6% across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks.