ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28443

Part of Hampstead, NC

Pop. 28,416·Pender County·30th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$1,982/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.5%

Month-over-Month

+1.1%

vs US Median

+$50

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28443 · $1,982

More expensive than 61% 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

$1,360

1 BR

$1,420

2 BR

$1,560

3 BR

$2,170

4 BR+

$2,620

Research median

$1,560/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 28443 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in ZIP 28443 changed +8.5% 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 8 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($90,477) is $2,262 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,170); a 4-bedroom is $2,620.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28443. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$23,784/yr

At $1,982/mo median

Location

CityHampstead

StateNC

CountyPender County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.5% YoY, +1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28443 (Hampstead, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 39.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

28,416

Median income

$90,477

Median age

40.2

Renters

19.4%

Age distribution

25.8%

15.6%

27.7%

12.7%

18.2%

Under 1825.8%

18–3415.6%

35–5427.7%

55–6412.7%

65+18.2%

Gender

50.7%

49.3%

Male50.7%

Female49.3%

Race & ethnicity

84.4%

White84.4%

Black4.9%

Hispanic6%

Asian1.1%

Other3.7%

Education (25+)

22.7%

32.7%

39.8%

No HS diploma4.8%

HS diploma22.7%

Some college32.7%

Bachelor's+39.8%

Housing tenure

80.6%

19.4%

Owner80.6%

Renter19.4%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 28443 in Hampstead, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,809 → $1,982

up 9.6%

Income

$80,742 → $90,477

up 12.1%

Population

24,427 → 28,416

up 16.3%

Renter share

18.8% → 19.4%

+0.6 pts

Bachelor's+

39.7% → 39.8%

+0.1 pts

Median age

41.9 → 40.2

-1.7 yrs

Rent in ZIP 28443 in Hampstead, NC has climbed 9.6% since 2023, going from about $1,809 per month to roughly $1,982 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $80,742 in 2021 to $90,477 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 24,427 to 28,416 between 2021 and 2024, a 16.3% change. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 28443 in Hampstead, NC market of 2023.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 28443

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28443 covers Hampstead, NC. The median rent here is $1,982/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,420/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,560/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($90,477/yr), ZIP 28443 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28443?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (about $38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,982/mo in ZIP 28443. The local median household income is $90,477/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28443?

Rent in ZIP 28443 has risen 8.5% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2022.

How does ZIP 28443 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28443 is one of the pricier among North Carolina ZIP codes for rent, ranking #30 of 230 at $1,982/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 28443 changed +8.5%, against a typical +2.6% across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks.