ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28539

Part of Hubert, NC

Pop. 18,351·Onslow County·165th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$1,499/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.7%

Month-over-Month

+0.9%

vs US Median

-$433

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 28539 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28539 · $1,499

More affordable than 73% 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

$900

1 BR

$910

2 BR

$1,140

3 BR

$1,590

4 BR+

$1,910

Research median

$1,140/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

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 28539 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in September 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in ZIP 28539 changed +3.7% 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 7 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($66,976) is $1,674 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,590); a 4-bedroom is $1,910.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 28544, 6 miles away, rents for 11% less ($1,338/mo), about $1,900 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28539. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$17,988/yr

At $1,499/mo median

Location

CityHubert

StateNC

CountyOnslow County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.7% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28539 (Hubert, NC) is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

18,351

Median income

$66,976

Median age

33.1

Renters

23.8%

Age distribution

22.8%

31%

22.3%

13.4%

Under 1822.8%

18–3431%

35–5422.3%

55–6410.5%

65+13.4%

Gender

51.2%

48.8%

Male51.2%

Female48.8%

Race & ethnicity

81.4%

White81.4%

Black4.9%

Hispanic8.4%

Asian2.5%

Other2.8%

Education (25+)

25.2%

43.3%

22.2%

No HS diploma9.3%

HS diploma25.2%

Some college43.3%

Bachelor's+22.2%

Housing tenure

76.2%

23.8%

Owner76.2%

Renter23.8%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 28539 in Hubert, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,288 → $1,499

up 16.4%

Income

$53,946 → $66,976

up 24.2%

Population

16,872 → 18,351

up 8.8%

Renter share

33.2% → 23.8%

-9.4 pts

Bachelor's+

20.3% → 22.2%

+1.9 pts

Since 2023, the typical rent in ZIP 28539 in Hubert, NC has climbed from $1,288 to $1,499, a 16.4% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $53,946 in 2021 to $66,976 more recently. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 8.8% since 2021, moving from about 16,872 residents to roughly 18,351. Renters now make up 23.8% of households, compared with 33.2% five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 28539 in Hubert, NC market of 2023.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 28539

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 28539

About renting in ZIP 28539

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28539 covers Hubert, NC. The median rent here is $1,499/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $910/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,140/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($66,976/yr), ZIP 28539 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28539?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (about $29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,499/mo in ZIP 28539. The local median household income is $66,976/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28539?

Rent in ZIP 28539 has risen 3.7% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in September 2022.

How does ZIP 28539 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28539 is one of the more affordable among North Carolina ZIP codes for rent, ranking #165 of 230 at $1,499/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 28539 changed +3.7%, against a typical +2.6% across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks.