27981 vs 27959 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 27981, Orange = ZIP 27959.
Quick verdict: ZIP 27981 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment. ZIP 27959 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 27981
Wanchese CDP, NC
View full profile →- Population1,802
- Median Income$73,542
- Median Home Value$257k
- Median Rent$762
- Median Age37.6 yrs
- Poverty Rate5.4%
ZIP 27959
Nags Head town, NC
View full profile →- Population3,172
- Median Income$87,619
- Median Home Value$451k
- Median Rent$1,005
- Median Age59.0 yrs
- Poverty Rate2.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
1,8023,172
Median Income
$73,542$87,619
Median Home Value
$257k$451k
Median Rent
$762$1,005
Median Age
37.6 yrs59.0 yrs
Poverty Rate
5.4%2.6%
Demographics
ZIP 27981
Wanchese CDP, NC
View full profile →- White %97.5%
- Black %0.2%
- Asian %0.0%
- Hispanic %0.1%
- Age 0–17 %26.5%
- Age 18–64 %55.7%
- Age 65+ %17.8%
- Bachelor's+ %29.2%
- Diversity Index5/100
ZIP 27959
Nags Head town, NC
View full profile →- White %94.2%
- Black %1.1%
- Asian %0.7%
- Hispanic %4.0%
- Age 0–17 %11.9%
- Age 18–64 %45.8%
- Age 65+ %42.3%
- Bachelor's+ %51.5%
- Diversity Index11/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
97.5%94.2%
Black %
0.2%1.1%
Asian %
0.0%0.7%
Hispanic %
0.1%4.0%
Age 0–17 %
26.5%11.9%
Age 18–64 %
55.7%45.8%
Age 65+ %
17.8%42.3%
Bachelor's+ %
29.2%51.5%
Diversity Index
5/10011/100
Economy
ZIP 27981
Wanchese CDP, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$73,542
- Unemployment %1.9%
- IRS Net Migration+75
- Work From Home %4.2%
ZIP 27959
Nags Head town, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$87,619
- Unemployment %2.0%
- IRS Net Migration+132
- Work From Home %15.1%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$73,542$87,619
Unemployment %
1.9%2.0%
IRS Net Migration
+75+132
Work From Home %
4.2%15.1%
Housing
ZIP 27981
Wanchese CDP, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$257k
- Median Rent$762
- Owner Occupied %73.3%
- Broadband %87.9%
- Vacant %8.9%
- Median Year Built1985
ZIP 27959
Nags Head town, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$451k
- Median Rent$1,005
- Owner Occupied %77.6%
- Broadband %95.7%
- Vacant %68.8%
- Median Year Built1987
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$257k$451k
Median Rent
$762$1,005
Owner Occupied %
73.3%77.6%
Broadband %
87.9%95.7%
Vacant %
8.9%68.8%
Median Year Built
19851987
Climate & Location
ZIP 27981
Wanchese CDP, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)13 ft
- Nearest Airport41.2 miles (66.2 km)
- Distance to Coast1.3 miles (2.0 km)
ZIP 27959
Nags Head town, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)13 ft
- Nearest Airport40.9 miles (65.8 km)
- Distance to Coast0.2 miles (0.4 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
13 ft13 ft
Nearest Airport
41.2 miles (66.2 km)40.9 miles (65.8 km)
Distance to Coast
1.3 miles (2.0 km)0.2 miles (0.4 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 27981
Wanchese CDP, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %4.2%
- Walkability (0–100)14
- Broadband %87.9%
ZIP 27959
Nags Head town, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %15.1%
- Walkability (0–100)34
- Broadband %95.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
4.2%15.1%
Walkability (0–100)
1434
Broadband %
87.9%95.7%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 27981 and 27959 compare?
ZIP 27981 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment. ZIP 27959 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (27981), orange the second (27959). 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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