ZIP Code 28456 — Riegelwood CDP, NC Demographics & Data

ZIP code 28456 covers Riegelwood, NC in Columbus County with a population of about 3,565.

At a glance, the area shows median age of 48.8 versus a U.S. median of about 38.9.

It sits in telephone area codes 472, 910; U.S. House district NC-7; the WILMINGTON media market.

Median household income in ZIP 28456 is about $48,164 — about 36% below the U.S. median ($75,149).

On socioeconomic markers, US5 shows a poverty rate of 13.4%; unemployment rate near 8.3%; 12.5% of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (about 21.2 points below the national share (33.7%)).

Labor and commute patterns include leading industry context around Healthcare, Education, and Manufacturing; about 10.9% of workers reporting work-from-home (about 4.3 points below the U.S. share (15.2%)); a mean commute of about 180.0 minutes (U.S. average near 26.8).

Median home value is about $153,600 — about 56% below the U.S. median home value ($348,079).

Housing tenure and rents show median gross rent around $547 (about 53% below the U.S. median rent ($1,163)), and owner-occupancy near 83.6% (about 18.2 points above the national owner-occupancy rate (65.4%)).

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 28456 in Riegelwood, NC, a household would need roughly $42,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $987. That sits below the local median household income ($48,164), suggesting the typical household income is closer to a workable buy-in level under these assumptions. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

FEMA’s National Risk Index rates natural-hazard risk for Riegelwood CDP, NC as Relatively Moderate (composite score 86.9), which is elevated versus much of the country. The strongest component scores on US5 are hurricane (96.7) and wildfire (77.7). These scores are county-linked NRI values published for planning context — all ZIP codes in the same county share the same composite score on US5. Useful when comparing insurance and disaster exposure across areas, not a substitute for a parcel-level flood or fire determination.

Climate normals for Riegelwood CDP, NC show little to no average snow.

IRS migration statistics show a net inflow of about 148 for ZIP 28456 (Riegelwood CDP, NC) on US5’s published series — a signal of people/tax filers moving in relative to those leaving. Inflows often track job growth, housing demand, or lifestyle migration; treat the figure as a directional indicator rather than a precise headcount.