Most people think of Roxboro as just another quiet North Carolina town tucked away near the Virginia border. It's the kind of place where you can still find a locally owned hardware store and everyone knows which diner has the best Friday fish fry. But when you start looking at the logistics—specifically the Roxboro North Carolina zip code—things get a little more nuanced than a single five-digit number.
If you're mailing a letter or moving a business here, you aren't just dealing with 27573. There is actually a secondary code, 27574, and where you fall between those two says a lot about your specific slice of Person County.
The Dual Identity of 27573 and 27574
Technically, 27573 is the primary zip code for the City of Roxboro. It covers the historic downtown, the main Madison Boulevard commercial strip, and the residential clusters that make up the heart of the community.
Then there is 27574.
You’ll often see this listed as a "P.O. Box" zip code. It's essentially the administrative sibling to 27573. If you’re a business owner or a resident who prefers the security of a post office box at the main branch on Abbitt Street, 27574 is likely the number on your return address.
It’s a common setup in older NC towns.
One code for the physical dirt you stand on, and another for the mail slot at the post office. Honestly, it confuses people from out of state all the time. They’ll look at a map and see two codes for a town of 8,000 people and assume the place is huge. It’s not. It’s just organized.
Why Location Matters in Person County
Roxboro is the only real "city" in Person County. Because of that, the Roxboro North Carolina zip code serves as a massive hub for a bunch of smaller, unincorporated communities.
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You’ve got places like:
- Allensville
- Bushy Fork
- Cunningham
- Hurdle Mills (though this often bleeds into its own code)
- Timberlake
If you live in these areas, you might have a Roxboro mailing address even if you're miles away from the city limits. This matters for everything from car insurance rates to your "home" school district. For example, if you’re living out by Hyco Lake or Mayo Lake—two huge draws for the area—you’re likely using the 27573 code.
Housing out there is a different world.
In the city proper, you’ll find mid-century brick ranchers and older Victorian-style homes near the uptown area. But as you follow the zip code out into the county, you hit sprawling lakefront properties and old tobacco farmland that’s been converted into acreage for new builds.
The Real-World Economy Behind the Code
Roxboro isn't just a bedroom community for Durham, though plenty of people make that 30-to-40-minute commute down Highway 501 every morning.
The local economy is surprisingly gritty and self-sustaining. We aren't talking about a town that's purely reliant on retail. You have major players like Piedmont Community College, which is a huge anchor for the 27573 area. They do a lot of heavy lifting for vocational training, especially for the local manufacturing and energy sectors.
Speaking of energy, the Mayo Power Plant and the Roxboro Steam Station (Duke Energy) are massive landmarks. They are literally the tallest things on the horizon. These plants have historically provided a lot of high-paying "blue-collar" jobs that keep the local median income around $44,000 to $65,000 depending on which specific census tract you're looking at.
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Interestingly, the 27574 data often shows a higher median income than 27573.
Why?
Because the P.O. Box zip is frequently used by business owners and established professionals who live in the more expensive, rural parts of the county but keep their official "mail home" in town.
Lifestyle: What It's Actually Like Living Here
If you’re moving to the Roxboro North Carolina zip code expecting a bustling nightlife, you’re going to be disappointed. Basically, after 9:00 PM, the town goes to sleep.
But for people who love the outdoors? It’s a goldmine.
You have Palace Pointe for family entertainment—it's got bowling, movies, and skating all under one roof. Then you have the lakes. Hyco Lake is the loud, fun sibling where people go for jet skiing and wakeboarding. Mayo Lake is the quieter, more naturalist-leaning spot.
Both are vital to the local "lifestyle" brand.
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There’s also a real sense of history here. Roxboro was established in 1855, named after Roxburgh in Scotland. You can still feel that old-world North Carolina vibe when you walk past the courthouse or the Kirby Cultural Arts Complex. The city has done a decent job of trying to revitalize the "Uptown" area, bringing in a few boutiques and coffee shops to sit alongside the long-standing law offices and banks.
Quick Facts for the 27573 Area
Sometimes you just need the hard data without the fluff. Here’s a quick breakdown of what the Roxboro area looks like on paper:
- Population: Around 8,100 in the city, but the zip code reach covers nearly 25,000 across the county.
- Elevation: 715 feet. It’s hilly, but not mountainous.
- Major Roads: US-501 is the lifeblood. NC-57 and NC-49 are the main veins into the rural areas.
- Distance to RDU Airport: About 45 to 50 minutes. It's close enough to be convenient but far enough to feel isolated.
Addressing the "Outsider" Factor
You’ll hear some people say that Roxboro can be a bit insular.
There’s some truth to that. Families have lived here for generations. However, the influx of people moving away from the skyrocketing prices in Durham and Chapel Hill is changing that dynamic. The Roxboro North Carolina zip code is becoming a "refuge" for folks who want a backyard and a sense of space without paying $500,000 for a starter home.
The median home value here is often under $200,000, which is unheard of in the neighboring Triangle counties.
Actionable Steps for New Residents or Businesses
If you are looking to plant roots in Roxboro, there are a few things you should do immediately to get settled:
- Check your specific service area: Don't just assume a "Roxboro" address means you get city services like trash pickup and water. If you're in the 27573 county area, you'll likely need a private well and septic.
- Visit the Person County Government website: Since Roxboro is the county seat, almost all your permits, taxes, and registrations happen right downtown on Main Street.
- Get a Lake Permit: If you plan on taking a boat out on Hyco or Mayo, the rules are specific. Don't get caught without the right stickers.
- Explore the "Uptown" first: Before you head to the big-box stores on the boulevard, walk the brick sidewalks of the historic district. It’s the best way to get a feel for the town's actual pulse.
Understanding the Roxboro North Carolina zip code is really about understanding the balance between a small-town hub and its sprawling, rural surroundings. Whether you're using 27573 for your house or 27574 for your business mail, you're part of a community that's stubbornly holding onto its identity even as the rest of the state grows at breakneck speed.