27516 vs 27278 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 27516, Orange = ZIP 27278.
Quick verdict: ZIP 27516 is higher home values, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 27278 is wealthier, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment.
Quick Facts
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- Population46,372
- Median Income$100,788
- Median Home Value$508k
- Median Rent$1,282
- Median Age35.8 yrs
- Poverty Rate15.4%
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- Population28,546
- Median Income$101,821
- Median Home Value$380k
- Median Rent$1,085
- Median Age44.9 yrs
- Poverty Rate7.3%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
46,37228,546
Median Income
$100,788$101,821
Median Home Value
$508k$380k
Median Rent
$1,282$1,085
Median Age
35.8 yrs44.9 yrs
Poverty Rate
15.4%7.3%
Demographics
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- White %71.5%
- Black %8.9%
- Asian %9.8%
- Hispanic %7.4%
- Age 0–17 %22.3%
- Age 18–64 %63.2%
- Age 65+ %14.5%
- Bachelor's+ %72.4%
- Diversity Index47/100
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- White %73.6%
- Black %10.2%
- Asian %3.0%
- Hispanic %12.1%
- Age 0–17 %21.5%
- Age 18–64 %59.5%
- Age 65+ %19.1%
- Bachelor's+ %53.8%
- Diversity Index43/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
71.5%73.6%
Black %
8.9%10.2%
Asian %
9.8%3.0%
Hispanic %
7.4%12.1%
Age 0–17 %
22.3%21.5%
Age 18–64 %
63.2%59.5%
Age 65+ %
14.5%19.1%
Bachelor's+ %
72.4%53.8%
Diversity Index
47/10043/100
Economy
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$100,788
- Unemployment %7.2%
- IRS Net Migration+1,925
- Work From Home %27.9%
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$101,821
- Unemployment %2.8%
- IRS Net Migration+1,185
- Work From Home %22.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$100,788$101,821
Unemployment %
7.2%2.8%
IRS Net Migration
+1,925+1,185
Work From Home %
27.9%22.6%
Housing
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$508k
- Median Rent$1,282
- Owner Occupied %72.0%
- Broadband %95.9%
- Vacant %7.9%
- Median Year Built1996
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$380k
- Median Rent$1,085
- Owner Occupied %77.3%
- Broadband %95.3%
- Vacant %6.7%
- Median Year Built1994
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$508k$380k
Median Rent
$1,282$1,085
Owner Occupied %
72.0%77.3%
Broadband %
95.9%95.3%
Vacant %
7.9%6.7%
Median Year Built
19961994
Climate & Location
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)500 ft
- Nearest Airport20.7 miles (33.2 km)
- Distance to Coast129.7 miles (208.7 km)
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)400 ft
- Nearest Airport22.2 miles (35.8 km)
- Distance to Coast118.3 miles (190.3 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
500 ft400 ft
Nearest Airport
20.7 miles (33.2 km)22.2 miles (35.8 km)
Distance to Coast
129.7 miles (208.7 km)118.3 miles (190.3 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %27.9%
- Walkability (0–100)51
- Broadband %95.9%
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %22.6%
- Walkability (0–100)30
- Broadband %95.3%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
27.9%22.6%
Walkability (0–100)
5130
Broadband %
95.9%95.3%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 27516 and 27278 compare?
ZIP 27516 is higher home values, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 27278 is wealthier, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (27516), orange the second (27278). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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