Charlotte, NC
28209
Mecklenburg County County · North Carolina · Pop. 30,070
Last updated: May 2026
Charlotte, North Carolina (ZIP code 28209) is home to approximately 30,070 residents. The median household income in 28209 is $119,450, which is 69% above the national average of $70,784. The cost of living in 28209 is reflected in its housing market - the median home value is $456,888 and the average rent is $2,028/month. 28209 has a violent crime rate of 183.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 52% below the national average - earning it a safety grade of A+. 28209 is served by with an average school rating of 7.1/10. Air quality in 28209 is rated Good with an average AQI of 29.2. The average commute time in 28209 is 19 minutes, 9 minutes below the national average. Compare 28209 vs national averages and nearby neighborhoods using our free ZipScore intelligence platform.
On This Page
👥 Demographics
Race & Ethnicity
💰 Income & Economy
Affordability Assessment: Renters in this area spend approximately 20% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 3.8x the median income.
🏠 Housing
🔒 Safety & Crime
Charlotte (28209) is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 52% below the US average. This is considered a very safe area.
🎓 Schools & Education
Top Schools in 28209
| School | Type | Rating | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte STEM Academy | public | 8/10 | 703 |
| Heritage Academy | public | 7/10 | 925 |
🌡️ Climate & Weather
🌫️ Air Quality
⚠️ Natural Disaster Risk
🚗 Commute
Nearby ZIP Codes
Compare 28209 With Another ZIP
Pros and Cons of Living in Charlotte, NC (28209)
Based on crime, housing, income, schools, and air quality data
✅ Pros
- + Low crime rate - violent crime is 52% below the national average
- + Above-average income - median household income of $119,450
- + Good air quality - average AQI of 29.2 (rated "Good" by EPA standards)
- + Strong schools - average school rating 7.1/10
- + Short commute times - average 19 minutes
- + Low natural disaster risk - minimal risk of flooding, earthquakes, and severe weather
⚠️ Cons
- − High housing costs - home prices 51% above the national average
- − High rent - average $2,028/month, above the national median of $1,163
Data sourced from US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Statistics, and EPA. Individual experiences may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions about ZIP Code 28209
What is the population of 28209? ▼
The population of ZIP code 28209 in Charlotte, North Carolina is approximately 30,070 people.
Is 28209 safe to live in? ▼
Charlotte (28209) is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 52% below the US average. This is considered a very safe area. Safety Grade: A+.
What is the median income in 28209? ▼
The median household income in 28209 (Charlotte, North Carolina) is $119,450. The per capita income is $77,643. The US national median household income is $70,784.
What is the cost of living in 28209? ▼
Renters in this area spend approximately 20% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 3.8x the median income. Median home value: $456,888. Average rent: $2,028/month.
What are schools like in 28209? ▼
Schools in 28209 receive an Education Grade of B. There are 2 schools with an average rating of 7.1/10 and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. See the full schools section above for individual school listings.
What is the crime rate in 28209? ▼
The violent crime rate in 28209 is 183.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average of 380.7. Property crime rate: 820.0 per 100k (national avg: 1,958.2).
What is the average rent in 28209? ▼
The median monthly rent in 28209 (Charlotte, North Carolina) is $2,028/month. The national median rent is $1,163/month.
What is the median home value in 28209? ▼
The median home value in 28209 (Charlotte, North Carolina) is $456,888. The national median home value is $303,400.
Is 28209 a good place to live? ▼
28209 (Charlotte, North Carolina) has a ZipScore of 75/100 - our composite score based on safety (25%), affordability (20%), schools (15%), air quality (10%), climate (10%), commute (10%), and disaster risk (10%). This is an excellent neighborhood to live in.
What is the air quality in 28209? ▼
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in 28209 is 29.2 - rated Good by EPA standards. Average PM2.5 level: 5.3 µg/m³.
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), FBI Uniform Crime Report, EPA AirNow, FEMA National Risk Index, and Open-Meteo. Last updated: May 2026