Research / Best ZIP codes for schools
Best ZIP codes for schools in North Carolina
Ranked by the School Quality Index: district math and reading proficiency and graduation rates, weighted by how much of each district falls in the ZIP.
How we rank school quality
The School Quality Index summarizes district math and reading proficiency and four-year graduation outcomes. Results based on very small student samples are excluded, and missing measures do not count as zero.
A ZIP's score reflects the districts serving the area, with greater influence from districts covering more of the ZIP. It measures outcomes, not school ratings, spending, or individual schools.
Each state sets its own tests and proficiency cut scores, so the index compares ZIPs well within a state but not across states. That is why we rank ZIPs only within each state.
Only ZIPs with at least 1,000 residents are ranked, so a handful of households cannot top the list. 689 North Carolina ZIPs qualify.
North Carolina ZIP codes ranked by school quality
1ZIP 27510Carrboro
North Carolina
- School quality index
- 69.0
- ZIP population
- ~14k
- Avg. temperature
- 60°F
- Avg. commute
- 22 min
2ZIP 28079Indian Trail
North Carolina
- School quality index
- 69.0
- ZIP population
- ~43k
- Avg. temperature
- 61°F
- Avg. commute
- 28 min
3ZIP 28110Monroe
North Carolina
- School quality index
- 69.0
- ZIP population
- ~57k
- Avg. temperature
- 61°F
- Avg. commute
- 31 min
4ZIP 28112Monroe
North Carolina
- School quality index
- 69.0
- ZIP population
- ~28k
- Avg. temperature
- 62°F
- Avg. commute
- 31 min
5ZIP 28173Waxhaw
North Carolina
- School quality index
- 69.0
- ZIP population
- ~65k
- Avg. temperature
- 61°F
- Avg. commute
- 31 min
6ZIP 28174Wingate
North Carolina
- School quality index
- 69.0
- ZIP population
- ~10k
- Avg. temperature
- 61°F
- Avg. commute
- 27 min
| Rank | ZIP | City | County | School quality index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | 28104 | Matthews | Union County | 68.5 |
| #8 | 28103 | Marshville | Union County | 68.2 |
| #9 | 27921 | Camden | Camden County | 66.4 |
| #10 | 27976 | South Mills | Camden County | 66.4 |
| #11 | 28722 | Columbus | Polk County | 66.4 |
| #12 | 28782 | Tryon | Polk County | 66.4 |
| #13 | 28756 | Columbus | Polk County | 66.2 |
| #14 | 28512 | Atlantic Beach | Carteret County | 65.0 |
| #15 | 28516 | Beaufort | Carteret County | 65.0 |
| #16 | 28531 | Harkers Island | Carteret County | 65.0 |
| #17 | 28557 | Morehead City | Carteret County | 65.0 |
| #18 | 28570 | Newport | Carteret County | 65.0 |
| #19 | 28594 | Emerald Isle | Carteret County | 65.0 |
| #20 | 28773 | Saluda | Polk County | 64.3 |
| #21 | 28607 | Boone | Watauga County | 63.2 |
| #22 | 28692 | Vilas | Watauga County | 63.2 |
| #23 | 27511 | Cary | Wake County | 63.0 |
| #24 | 27513 | Cary | Wake County | 63.0 |
| #25 | 27518 | Cary | Wake County | 63.0 |
Rank North Carolina by your own priorities
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More North Carolina research
Most affordable ZIP codes
Ranked by cost of living index
- North Carolina median ZIP
- 95.1
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 80.8 to 119.8
ZIP codes with the shortest commutes
Ranked by mean commute
- North Carolina median ZIP
- 26.1 min
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 20.8 min to 33.7 min
Best healthcare access
Ranked by healthcare access score
- North Carolina median ZIP
- 91.9
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 85.6 to 97.9
Best broadband coverage
Ranked by households with broadband
- North Carolina median ZIP
- 88.0%
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 77.7% to 95.6%
Warmest ZIP codes
Ranked by avg. temperature
- North Carolina median ZIP
- 60.5°F
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 56.4°F to 62.8°F