28779 vs 28786 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 28779, Orange = ZIP 28786.
Quick verdict: ZIP 28779 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment, more diverse. ZIP 28786 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 28779
Sylva town, NC
View full profile →- Population17,845
- Median Income$54,407
- Median Home Value$234k
- Median Rent$644
- Median Age42.1 yrs
- Poverty Rate16.4%
ZIP 28786
Waynesville town, NC
View full profile →- Population22,153
- Median Income$56,047
- Median Home Value$267k
- Median Rent$840
- Median Age49.3 yrs
- Poverty Rate12.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
17,84522,153
Median Income
$54,407$56,047
Median Home Value
$234k$267k
Median Rent
$644$840
Median Age
42.1 yrs49.3 yrs
Poverty Rate
16.4%12.8%
Demographics
ZIP 28779
Sylva town, NC
View full profile →- White %87.5%
- Black %0.8%
- Asian %1.9%
- Hispanic %4.0%
- Age 0–17 %21.2%
- Age 18–64 %56.9%
- Age 65+ %21.8%
- Bachelor's+ %28.2%
- Diversity Index23/100
ZIP 28786
Waynesville town, NC
View full profile →- White %90.3%
- Black %1.8%
- Asian %0.3%
- Hispanic %5.5%
- Age 0–17 %17.2%
- Age 18–64 %56.8%
- Age 65+ %26.0%
- Bachelor's+ %31.8%
- Diversity Index18/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
87.5%90.3%
Black %
0.8%1.8%
Asian %
1.9%0.3%
Hispanic %
4.0%5.5%
Age 0–17 %
21.2%17.2%
Age 18–64 %
56.9%56.8%
Age 65+ %
21.8%26.0%
Bachelor's+ %
28.2%31.8%
Diversity Index
23/10018/100
Economy
ZIP 28779
Sylva town, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$54,407
- Unemployment %3.1%
- IRS Net Migration+741
- Work From Home %5.9%
ZIP 28786
Waynesville town, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$56,047
- Unemployment %4.7%
- IRS Net Migration+920
- Work From Home %9.2%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$54,407$56,047
Unemployment %
3.1%4.7%
IRS Net Migration
+741+920
Work From Home %
5.9%9.2%
Housing
ZIP 28779
Sylva town, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$234k
- Median Rent$644
- Owner Occupied %66.6%
- Broadband %79.7%
- Vacant %15.4%
- Median Year Built1985
ZIP 28786
Waynesville town, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$267k
- Median Rent$840
- Owner Occupied %70.0%
- Broadband %83.1%
- Vacant %18.2%
- Median Year Built1978
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$234k$267k
Median Rent
$644$840
Owner Occupied %
66.6%70.0%
Broadband %
79.7%83.1%
Vacant %
15.4%18.2%
Median Year Built
19851978
Climate & Location
ZIP 28779
Sylva town, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)2,192 ft
- Nearest Airport38.1 miles (61.4 km)
- Distance to Coast141.3 miles (227.4 km)
ZIP 28786
Waynesville town, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)2,658 ft
- Nearest Airport25.2 miles (40.6 km)
- Distance to Coast142.4 miles (229.2 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
2,192 ft2,658 ft
Nearest Airport
38.1 miles (61.4 km)25.2 miles (40.6 km)
Distance to Coast
141.3 miles (227.4 km)142.4 miles (229.2 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 28786
Waynesville town, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %9.2%
- Walkability (0–100)38
- Broadband %83.1%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
5.9%9.2%
Walkability (0–100)
3238
Broadband %
79.7%83.1%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 28779 and 28786 compare?
ZIP 28779 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment, more diverse. ZIP 28786 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (28779), orange the second (28786). 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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