ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28540

Part of Jacksonville, NC

Pop. 49,141·Onslow County·185th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$1,397/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.4%

Month-over-Month

+1.9%

vs US Median

-$535

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28540 · $1,397

More affordable than 80% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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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

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 28540 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 28540 changed +7.4% 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 5 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($65,625) is $1,641 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,590); a 4-bedroom is $1,910.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28540. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$16,764/yr

At $1,397/mo median

Location

CityJacksonville

StateNC

CountyOnslow County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.4% YoY, +1.9% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28540 (Jacksonville, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

49,141

Median income

$65,625

Median age

30.2

Renters

38.2%

Age distribution

27.2%

29.7%

22.5%

Under 1827.2%

18–3429.7%

35–5422.5%

55–649.1%

65+11.5%

Gender

52.3%

47.7%

Male52.3%

Female47.7%

Race & ethnicity

66.2%

14.7%

13.4%

White66.2%

Black14.7%

Hispanic13.4%

Asian1.6%

Other4.1%

Education (25+)

32.4%

36.3%

24.3%

No HS diploma7%

HS diploma32.4%

Some college36.3%

Bachelor's+24.3%

Housing tenure

61.8%

38.2%

Owner61.8%

Renter38.2%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 28540 in Jacksonville, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,187 → $1,397

up 17.7%

Income

$52,263 → $65,625

up 25.6%

Population

51,253 → 49,141

down 4.1%

Renter share

46% → 38.2%

-7.8 pts

Bachelor's+

21.6% → 24.3%

+2.7 pts

Median age

29.3 → 30.2

+0.9 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 28540 in Jacksonville, NC stood at $1,187 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,397, reflecting a 17.7% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $52,263 to $65,625 across the same window, up 25.6% versus 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has contracted by 4.1% since 2021, moving from about 51,253 residents to roughly 49,141. Renters now make up 38.2% of households, compared with 46% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 24.3% of adults here, versus 21.6% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 28540 in Jacksonville, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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About renting in ZIP 28540

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28540 covers Jacksonville, NC. The median rent here is $1,397/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 26% of local median household income ($65,625/yr), ZIP 28540 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28540?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (about $27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,397/mo in ZIP 28540. The local median household income is $65,625/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28540?

Rent in ZIP 28540 has risen 7.4% 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 28540 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28540 is one of the more affordable among North Carolina ZIP codes for rent, ranking #185 of 230 at $1,397/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 28540 changed +7.4%, against a typical +2.6% across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks.