ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28023

Part of China Grove, NC

Pop. 15,495·Rowan County·172nd most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$1,458/mo

Year-over-Year

+12.1%

Month-over-Month

+2.6%

vs US Median

-$474

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 28023 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28023 · $1,458

More affordable than 76% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$940

1 BR

$950

2 BR

$1,160

3 BR

$1,530

4 BR+

$1,950

Research median

$1,160/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in ZIP 28023 changed +12.1% 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 6 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($62,257) is $1,556 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,530); a 4-bedroom is $1,950.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 28147, 8 miles away, rents for 20% less ($1,170/mo), about $3,500 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28023. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$17,496/yr

At $1,458/mo median

Location

CityChina Grove

StateNC

CountyRowan County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 12.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+12.1% YoY, +2.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28023 (China Grove, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 19.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

15,495

Median income

$62,257

Median age

41.8

Renters

19.1%

Age distribution

19.9%

21.5%

26.5%

15.9%

16.2%

Under 1819.9%

18–3421.5%

35–5426.5%

55–6415.9%

65+16.2%

Gender

49.1%

50.9%

Male49.1%

Female50.9%

Race & ethnicity

73.7%

17.7%

White73.7%

Black4.9%

Hispanic17.7%

Other3.5%

Education (25+)

14.6%

29.8%

36.5%

19.1%

No HS diploma14.6%

HS diploma29.8%

Some college36.5%

Bachelor's+19.1%

Housing tenure

80.9%

19.1%

Owner80.9%

Renter19.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28023 in China Grove, NC has changed in 5 years

Income

$49,945 → $62,257

up 24.7%

Population

15,927 → 15,495

down 2.7%

Renter share

22.6% → 19.1%

-3.5 pts

Bachelor's+

18.1% → 19.1%

+1.0 pts

Median age

38.6 → 41.8

+3.2 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $49,945 to $62,257 across the same window, up 24.7% versus 2021. The population has contracted by 2.7% since 2021, moving from about 15,927 residents to roughly 15,495. Renters now make up 19.1% of households, compared with 22.6% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 28023

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 28023

About renting in ZIP 28023

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28023 covers China Grove, NC. The median rent here is $1,458/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $950/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,160/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($62,257/yr), ZIP 28023 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28023?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (about $28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,458/mo in ZIP 28023. The local median household income is $62,257/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28023?

Rent in ZIP 28023 has risen 12.1% over the past year.

How does ZIP 28023 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28023 is one of the more affordable among North Carolina ZIP codes for rent, ranking #172 of 230 at $1,458/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 28023 changed +12.1%, against a typical +2.6% across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks.