ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28594

Part of Emerald Isle, NC

Pop. 3,934·Carteret County·6th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$2,300/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+36.1%

vs US Median

+$368

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28594 · $2,300

More expensive than 74% 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

$1,280

1 BR

$1,290

2 BR

$1,690

3 BR

$2,170

4 BR+

$2,770

Research median

$1,690/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

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($89,773) is $2,244 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,170); a 4-bedroom is $2,770.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 28584, 7 miles away, rents for 23% less ($1,771/mo), about $6,300 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28594. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$27,600/yr

At $2,300/mo median

Location

CityEmerald Isle

StateNC

CountyCarteret 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, +36.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28594 (Emerald Isle, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 57.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

3,934

Median income

$89,773

Median age

60.3

Renters

14.4%

Age distribution

18.4%

24.4%

36.8%

Under 1811.1%

18–349.2%

35–5418.4%

55–6424.4%

65+36.8%

Gender

47.4%

52.6%

Male47.4%

Female52.6%

Race & ethnicity

92.8%

White92.8%

Other6.5%

Education (25+)

14.4%

27.2%

57.1%

No HS diploma1.3%

HS diploma14.4%

Some college27.2%

Bachelor's+57.1%

Housing tenure

85.6%

14.4%

Owner85.6%

Renter14.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28594 in Emerald Isle, NC has changed in 5 years

Income

$87,794 → $89,773

up 2.3%

Population

3,844 → 3,934

up 2.3%

Renter share

16.2% → 14.4%

-1.8 pts

Bachelor's+

49.8% → 57.1%

+7.3 pts

Median age

57.3 → 60.3

+3.0 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $87,794 in 2021 to $89,773 more recently. The population has grown by 2.3% since 2021, moving from about 3,844 residents to roughly 3,934. Renters now make up 14.4% of households, compared with 16.2% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 57.1% of adults here, versus 49.8% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 28594

About renting in ZIP 28594

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28594 covers Emerald Isle, NC. The median rent here is $2,300/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,290/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,690/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($89,773/yr), ZIP 28594 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28594?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $92,000/year (about $44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,300/mo in ZIP 28594. The local median household income is $89,773/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.