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ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28021

Pop. 13,865·Gaston County·223rd most expensive ZIP in North Carolina
Median rent (all units)
$1,100/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+6.8%
vs US Median
-$865
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 28021 · $1,100
More affordable than 95% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$890
1 BR
$930
2 BR
$1,030
3 BR
$1,320
4 BR+
$1,610
Research median
$1,030/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$13,200/yr
At $1,100/mo median
Location
StateNC
CountyGaston County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +6.8% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28021 (Cherryville, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,865
Median income
$63,429
Median age
41
Renters
25.9%
Age distribution
20.5%
19.4%
25.5%
13%
21.6%
Under 1820.5%
18–3419.4%
35–5425.5%
55–6413%
65+21.6%
Gender
50.1%
49.9%
Male50.1%
Female49.9%
Race & ethnicity
88.2%
White88.2%
Black4.5%
Hispanic4%
Other3.1%
Education (25+)
35.6%
31.7%
21.7%
No HS diploma11%
HS diploma35.6%
Some college31.7%
Bachelor's+21.7%
Housing tenure
74.1%
25.9%
Owner74.1%
Renter25.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28021 in Cherryville, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$49,660 → $63,429
up 27.7%
Population
14,267 → 13,865
down 2.8%
Renter share
27% → 25.9%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
20.3% → 21.7%
+1.4 pts
Median age
39.9 → 41
+1.1 yrs

Median household income rose from $49,660 to $63,429 between 2021 and 2024, a 27.7% shift. The population has contracted by 2.8% since 2021, moving from about 14,267 residents to roughly 13,865.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 28021

About renting in ZIP 28021

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 28021 covers Cherryville, NC. The median rent here is $1,100/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $930/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,030/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($63,429/yr), ZIP 28021 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 28021?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 28021 (Cherryville, NC) is $1,100. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 28021 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 28021's median rent of $1,100/mo is $865 (44%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 28021 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28021 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in North Carolina, ranking #223 out of 227 ZIPs at $1,100/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28021?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $44,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,100/mo in ZIP 28021. The local median household income is $63,429/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28021?

Rent in ZIP 28021 has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 20, 2026.

Is ZIP 28021 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 28021 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,100/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($63,429/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 28021 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 28021 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 25.9% of ZIP 28021 households are renters, while 74.1% are owner-occupied. ZIP 28021 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 28021 compare to the rest of Cherryville?

ZIP 28021 sits right at the Cherryville citywide median of $1,100/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 28021 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 28021 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,100/mo, rent takes ~21% of ZIP 28021's median household income ($63,429/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 28021 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 28021 (Cherryville, NC)

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