Charlotte, NC
28203
Mecklenburg County County · North Carolina · Pop. 29,740
Last updated: May 2026
Charlotte, North Carolina (ZIP code 28203) is home to approximately 29,740 residents. The median household income in 28203 is $107,766, which is 52% above the national average of $70,784. The cost of living in 28203 is reflected in its housing market - the median home value is $482,567 and the average rent is $1,869/month. 28203 has a violent crime rate of 123.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 68% below the national average - earning it a safety grade of A+. 28203 is served by with an average school rating of 7.2/10. Air quality in 28203 is rated Good with an average AQI of 37.7. The average commute time in 28203 is 26 minutes, 1 minutes below the national average. Compare 28203 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 21% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.5x the median income.
🏠 Housing
🔒 Safety & Crime
Charlotte (28203) is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 68% below the US average. This is considered a very safe area.
🎓 Schools & Education
Top Schools in 28203
| School | Type | Rating | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Academy | public | 8/10 | 503 |
| St. Mary's School of Charlotte | public | 7/10 | 865 |
| Charlotte Charter School | public | 7/10 | 649 |
| Lincoln Elementary | public | 7/10 | 843 |
🌡️ Climate & Weather
🌫️ Air Quality
⚠️ Natural Disaster Risk
🚗 Commute
Nearby ZIP Codes
Compare 28203 With Another ZIP
Pros and Cons of Living in Charlotte, NC (28203)
Based on crime, housing, income, schools, and air quality data
✅ Pros
- + Low crime rate - violent crime is 68% below the national average
- + Above-average income - median household income of $107,766
- + Good air quality - average AQI of 37.7 (rated "Good" by EPA standards)
- + Strong schools - average school rating 7.2/10
- + Low natural disaster risk - minimal risk of flooding, earthquakes, and severe weather
⚠️ Cons
- − High housing costs - home prices 59% above the national average
- − High rent - average $1,869/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 28203
What is the population of 28203? ▼
The population of ZIP code 28203 in Charlotte, North Carolina is approximately 29,740 people.
Is 28203 safe to live in? ▼
Charlotte (28203) is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 68% below the US average. This is considered a very safe area. Safety Grade: A+.
What is the median income in 28203? ▼
The median household income in 28203 (Charlotte, North Carolina) is $107,766. The per capita income is $70,048. The US national median household income is $70,784.
What is the cost of living in 28203? ▼
Renters in this area spend approximately 21% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.5x the median income. Median home value: $482,567. Average rent: $1,869/month.
What are schools like in 28203? ▼
Schools in 28203 receive an Education Grade of A-. There are 4 schools with an average rating of 7.2/10 and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. See the full schools section above for individual school listings.
What is the crime rate in 28203? ▼
The violent crime rate in 28203 is 123.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average of 380.7. Property crime rate: 965.0 per 100k (national avg: 1,958.2).
What is the average rent in 28203? ▼
The median monthly rent in 28203 (Charlotte, North Carolina) is $1,869/month. The national median rent is $1,163/month.
What is the median home value in 28203? ▼
The median home value in 28203 (Charlotte, North Carolina) is $482,567. The national median home value is $303,400.
Is 28203 a good place to live? ▼
28203 (Charlotte, North Carolina) has a ZipScore of 74/100 - our composite score based on safety (25%), affordability (20%), schools (15%), air quality (10%), climate (10%), commute (10%), and disaster risk (10%). This is a good neighborhood with solid fundamentals.
What is the air quality in 28203? ▼
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in 28203 is 37.7 - rated Good by EPA standards. Average PM2.5 level: 6.1 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