ZIP 28779 · Jackson County

Sylva, NC Homeowners Insurance

According to U.S. Treasury FIO 2022 filings, homeowners insurance in ZIP 28779, Sylva, North Carolina averages $1,249/yr.

24.0%
Loss ratio
0.80%
Nonrenewal rate
#447 of 722
North Carolina rank
58
Policies

The verdict

According to U.S. Treasury FIO 2022 filings, Sylva, NC (ZIP 28779) ranks #18,617 of 25,593 ZIPs by average premium ($1,249/yr) but #12,917 of 21,752 by nonrenewal (0.80%). Cost rank is not withdrawal rank.

$1,249
Avg premium (2022)
#18,617
of 25,593 on premium
#12,917
of 21,752 on nonrenewal
27th
national percentile

Premium rank counts ZIPs with a reported average premium, highest first. Nonrenewal rank counts ZIPs with a reported nonrenewal rate, highest first. The two boards are different extracts.

According to U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office data. How we calculate the percentile and national comparison: methodology.

Insurance Livability Score

D
PlainInsure Livability Score
48/100
28779 - Sylva, NC

PlainInsure's own composite of Treasury FIO premium/market data and FEMA National Risk Index hazard data, each dimension percentile-ranked against the full national corpus. Not an official government score, and not a substitute for an actual insurance quote.

Affordability B
$1,249/yr
Avg premium, 73rd cheapest nationally (Treasury FIO)
Market Stability C
0.01%
Nonrenewal rate -- insurers dropping coverage (Treasury FIO)
Disaster Risk F
80.5
County FEMA National Risk Index score
Community Resilience F
38.9
County FEMA NRI community-resilience score

Where ZIP 28779's premium sits nationally

Average annual homeowners premium across 25,593 tracked ZIP codes, as of 2022

$1,249 Lower than most lower than 73% of 25,593 ZIP codes

tracked ZIP codes, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.25K-wide band; taller bars hold more ZIP codes. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office · 2022

The local market map

Premium and nonrenewal do not always move together

The highlighted dot is ZIP 28779. Each other dot is a deterministic sample of ZIPs in North Carolina, spread across the premium range. Crosshairs mark the published state averages, so this is a comparison of two reported measures, not a quote or a forecast.

State ZIP peer map

Highlighted: ZIP 28779; crosshairs: North Carolina averages

Lower premium / higher nonrenewalHigher on bothLower on bothHigher premium / lower nonrenewal$639.0$1403.5$2167.9$2932.4$3696.90%2.3%4.7%7.0%9.4%Average annual premiumNonrenewal rate
Source: U.S. Treasury FIO 2022 ZIP-level homeowners insurance filings. The matrix samples 50 ZIPs across the state premium distribution and retains this ZIP.
Read the plotted ZIP values
  • ZIP 28511 · Atlantic $778/yr · 1.41%
  • ZIP 28637 · Hildebran $935/yr · 3.09%
  • ZIP 27928 · Creswell $1,001/yr · 8.96%
  • ZIP 27203 · Asheboro $1,029/yr · 2.62%
  • ZIP 28040 · Ellenboro $1,048/yr · 1.81%
  • ZIP 28630 · Granite Falls $1,064/yr · 1.83%
  • ZIP 28681 · Taylorsville $1,081/yr · 1.50%
  • ZIP 28043 · Forest City $1,097/yr · 1.95%
  • ZIP 28425 · Burgaw $1,107/yr · 2.35%
  • ZIP 27107 · Winston Salem $1,123/yr · 3.66%
  • ZIP 28092 · Lincolnton $1,139/yr · 1.95%
  • ZIP 28705 · Bakersville $1,152/yr · 0.97%
  • ZIP 28033 · Crouse $1,167/yr · 1.19%
  • ZIP 27357 · Stokesdale $1,186/yr · 2.61%
  • ZIP 28023 · China Grove $1,194/yr · 2.77%
  • ZIP 28138 · Rockwell $1,209/yr · 3.90%
  • ZIP 27305 · Milton $1,220/yr · 2.17%
  • ZIP 28147 · Salisbury $1,229/yr · 3.45%
  • ZIP 27851 · Lucama $1,248/yr · 2.83%
  • ZIP 28779 · Sylva (this ZIP) $1,249/yr · 0.80%
  • ZIP 27941 · Harbinger $1,256/yr · 7.76%
  • ZIP 28347 · Hoffman $1,273/yr · 1.14%
  • ZIP 28772 · Rosman $1,284/yr · 1.02%
  • ZIP 27212 · Blanch $1,295/yr · 1.26%
  • ZIP 28469 · Ocean Isle Beach $1,307/yr · 0.65%
  • ZIP 28732 · Fletcher $1,319/yr · 1.66%
  • ZIP 28315 · Aberdeen $1,336/yr · 2.88%
  • ZIP 28435 · Currie $1,353/yr · 0.76%
  • ZIP 27006 · Advance $1,371/yr · 1.65%
  • ZIP 27910 · Ahoskie $1,384/yr · 3.02%
  • ZIP 28422 · Bolivia $1,402/yr · 0.87%
  • ZIP 28745 · Lake Junaluska $1,422/yr · 0.53%
  • ZIP 27986 · Winton $1,432/yr · 2.60%
  • ZIP 27874 · Scotland Neck $1,448/yr · 2.36%
  • ZIP 27809 · Battleboro $1,466/yr · 1.86%
  • ZIP 28334 · Dunn $1,479/yr · 2.15%
  • ZIP 27866 · Pleasant Hill $1,505/yr · 2.11%
  • ZIP 28578 · Seven Springs $1,536/yr · 1.95%
  • ZIP 28105 · Matthews $1,562/yr · 4.45%
  • ZIP 28461 · Southport $1,588/yr · 0.60%
  • ZIP 28337 · Elizabethtown $1,617/yr · 5.09%
  • ZIP 27948 · Kill Devil Hills $1,634/yr · 6.98%
  • ZIP 28387 · Southern Pines $1,655/yr · 2.03%
  • ZIP 27534 · Goldsboro $1,687/yr · 3.49%
  • ZIP 28349 · Kenansville $1,753/yr · 2.57%
  • ZIP 27858 · Greenville $1,812/yr · 3.74%
  • ZIP 28431 · Chadbourn $1,868/yr · 3.52%
  • ZIP 28605 · Blowing Rock $1,941/yr · 0.55%
  • ZIP 28736 · Glenville $2,174/yr · 0.34%
  • ZIP 28207 · Charlotte $3,558/yr · 0.92%
Avg Premium (2022)
$1,249/yr
Below-median premium
+10.8% since 2018
Loss Ratio
24.0%
Below-median loss ratio
Claim Frequency
2.79%
Avg severity: $10,729
Nonrenewal Rate
0.80%
Near-median nonrenewal rate
-42.1% change

Data Snapshot: ZIP 28779 (Sylva, NC)

U.S. Treasury FIO ZIP-level observations put the average homeowners insurance premium in ZIP 28779 (Sylva, NC) at $1,249 per year for 2022 across approximately 58 reported policies. That is 30% below the national average of $1,776 per year, placing this ZIP in the 27th percentile nationally. Compared to the North Carolina state average of $1,379, this ZIP runs 9% below, ranking #447 of 722 tracked ZIPs in North Carolina by premium. The closest-priced peer within North Carolina is Pleasant Garden (ZIP 27313) at $1,249, essentially matching this ZIP's rate.

With a loss ratio of 24.0%, insurers retained a working margin after claims in ZIP 28779. About 2.79% of policyholders in this ZIP file a claim annually, and the average claim severity (amount paid per claim) is $10,729. Insurers decline to renew 0.80% of policies in ZIP 28779 at expiration, a drop of 42.1% over the past five years; a rising rate typically signals carriers retreating from higher-risk markets.

Across 5 years (2018–2022), premiums in ZIP 28779 have risen by 10.8%, ranging from $1,128 to $1,249 with a five-year average of $1,192, an annualized rate of +2.6% per year.

FEMA NRI places Jackson County in the upper risk band at 80.5 (Relatively Low): national 80th percentile, #36/100 inside North Carolina, and 21% above the 66.7 state mean. Top hazard on the map is Cold Wave. Social Vulnerability Index 89.2 · Community Resilience 38.9. NRI does not price policies; it situates the county.

How to read these numbers

The figures on this page come from the U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office, which collects homeowners insurance premium and claims data directly from the largest property insurers in the country. Because the data is aggregated at the ZIP-code level and averaged across many policies, it describes the typical cost in an area rather than a quote for any single home. Two houses on the same street can pay very different premiums depending on their age, construction type, roof condition, prior claims, and the specific coverage limits and deductibles the homeowner selects. The loss ratio shows how much of every premium dollar insurers paid back out as claims; a ratio above one means carriers lost money locally, which often precedes rate increases or carrier exits. Rising nonrenewal and claim frequency reveal how stressed the local market has become. Use these figures to gauge the direction and scale of costs in your area, then request quotes from several licensed carriers before buying or renewing a policy. FIO data aggregates voluntary reporting from the 40 largest homeowners insurers, covering roughly 80% of the U.S. market, so figures represent market averages rather than individual policy quotes; your own premium will vary with dwelling value, deductible, coverage limits, construction type, and insurer-specific underwriting. This page is educational research only and is not insurance advice, homeowners should request quotes from multiple licensed carriers or an independent agent before purchasing or renewing coverage.

How ZIP 28779 Compares

vs National Average
$1,249 vs $1,776
30% below national avg
vs North Carolina Average
$1,249 vs $1,379
9% below state avg
National Percentile
27th percentile
Below median cost

Premium History

Average premium in ZIP 28779, 2018–2022

$1,100$1,150$1,200$1,250$1,300 20182019202020212022 $1,249
Average homeowners premium per year in ZIP 28779.
Year Avg Premium YoY Change
2018 $1,128 -
2019 $1,145 +1.6%
2020 $1,206 +5.3%
2021 $1,231 +2.1%
2022 $1,249 +1.5%

Multi-year FIO trend for ZIP 28779 (5 years)

5-Year Avg Premium
$1,192
Premium Range
$1,128 - $1,249
Annual Change Rate
+2.6% per year
Years of Data
5 (2018-2022)

Elevated FEMA NRI in Jackson County

County National Risk Index joined to ZIP 28779 via FIPS 37099. Hazard and vulnerability context from FEMA, not a premium driver and not a quote.

County risk score
80.5
Relatively Low · 80th national percentile
In-state county rank
#36
of 100 North Carolina counties · state mean 66.7
Top mapped hazard
Cold Wave
Expected annual loss $8,961,826

Social Vulnerability Index 89.2 · Community Resilience 38.9

County hazard ratings

Wildfire
Very Low
Flooding
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Winter weather
Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · state rollup: North Carolina NRI context · top counties by NRI score.

Out-of-state ZIPs near ZIP 28779's premium and nonrenewal (high-NRI county)

ZIP 28779's county NRI is 80.5 (Relatively Low). Peer ZIPs below are other-state only so the neighborhoods are not North Carolina containment.

Similar average premium

Nearest other-state ZIPs by average homeowners premium ($1,249/yr here).

Similar nonrenewal rate

Nearest other-state ZIPs by nonrenewal rate (0.80% here).

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Federal Insurance Office (FIO) Homeowners Insurance Data (2018-2022). Premiums are ZIP-level averages and may not reflect individual policy costs

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is homeowners insurance in ZIP 28779?
At the 27th percentile nationally, #447 of 722 ZIPs in North Carolina, ZIP 28779 (Sylva, NC) pays a middle-of-the-pack $1,249 per year as of 2022 for homeowners insurance. Premiums have changed +10.8% over the past 5 years.
What affects homeowners insurance costs in Sylva, NC?
In ZIP 28779, insurers report a 24.0% loss ratio, a 2.79% claims frequency, and a 0.80% nonrenewal rate, the 27th national percentile for cost.
Is homeowners insurance expensive in ZIP 28779 compared to the national average?
ZIP 28779 premiums of $1,249/yr are 30% below the national average of $1,776/yr. This ZIP is in the 27th percentile nationally.
What is the nonrenewal rate in ZIP 28779?
ZIP 28779 shows a nonrenewal rate of 0.80% in North Carolina, a drop of 42.1% over the past 5 years.
How have premiums trended in ZIP 28779 over 5 years?
Over the past 5 years, 2018 through 2022, the range in ZIP 28779 runs $1,128-$1,249 (5-year average $1,192). The annualized change rate is +2.6% per year.
How does ZIP 28779 compare to the North Carolina state average?
The North Carolina state average is $1,379/yr; ZIP 28779 averages $1,249/yr, 9% below that figure, ranking #447 of 722 tracked ZIPs in North Carolina by premium.
What is the FEMA National Risk Index score for ZIP 28779?
County NRI 80.5 (Relatively Low) covers ZIP 28779 via Jackson County FIPS 37099. In-state rank #36 of 100; national percentile 80th; hazard Cold Wave.

What to do with ZIP 28779

This ZIP's premiums run at the 27th national percentile, but a single number is not a quote.

These figures are Treasury FIO aggregates for this ZIP, not a personal insurance quote.

Every figure on PlainInsure is rendered directly from U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on U.S. Treasury FIO data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.