Bernice ZIP Codes — Union County, LA

There is one unique ZIP code in Bernice, Louisiana and it is 71222. Area code: 318.

ZIP codes

143.12

sq mi land

0.13

sq mi water

318

area code

Bernice, LA ZIP code map

About Bernice, LA

Bernice, Louisiana, is a small community nestled within Union County. Known for its quaint charm, this city embodies the spirit of rural Southern living. With a single ZIP code of 71222, Bernice offers a peaceful environment for its residents.

Location & geography

Bernice is located in the northern part of Louisiana, surrounded by beautiful woodlands and fields. Nearby cities include Ruston, approximately 27 miles to the northwest, Monroe, about 37 miles to the southeast, and El Dorado, Arkansas, roughly 29 miles to the northeast. Covering a total land area of 143.12 square miles, Bernice features minimal water area of 0.13 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Bernice reflects a tight-knit community where residents take pride in their hometown. The local economy is primarily supported by agriculture and small businesses, contributing to the town's unique charm and economic stability. Daily life includes a blend of traditional Southern hospitality and a strong outdoor lifestyle, with many residents enjoying fishing and hunting.

Transportation

Bernice is accessible via several key highways, including US Route 167 which runs north-south, connecting it to larger cities in Louisiana. The nearest major airport is Monroe Regional Airport, approximately 36 miles away, providing both domestic and regional flights. Local transportation options are mainly limited to personal vehicles, typical for many rural areas.

History

Bernice was established in the late 19th century and serves as a testament to the agricultural development of Union County. Key industries in the area have historically included timber and agriculture, shaping the economic landscape and life in the community. Notable events in its history include the establishment of local schools and churches that have become central to the community's identity.

Did you know?

An interesting fact about Bernice is that it is home to the famous Bernice Wildlife Management Area, which provides recreational opportunities for local hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, the community celebrates its heritage with annual events that highlight the cultural traditions of the area.

ZIP codes for Bernice, LA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
71222	Bernice	Union	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,801

Population

47.3

Median age

$33,603

Median household income

$30,375

Per capita income

$95,800

Median home value

$673

Median monthly rent

68.3%

Home ownership

29.6%

Poverty rate

2.1%

Unemployment

1,186

Housing units

13.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

149

25–34

141

178

35–44

168

175

45–54

165

119

55–59

113

150

60–64

142

188

65–74

177

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	507	18.1%
18 and over	2,294	81.9%
65 and over	646	23.1%
Median age	47.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 52.6%

Black or African American 32.9%

Hispanic or Latino 6.7%

Other race 4.7%

Two or more races 3.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,578	52.6%
Black or African American	986	32.9%
Hispanic or Latino	200	6.7%
Other race	141	4.7%
Two or more races	96	3.2%

Household income

Under $10k 10.3%

$10k–$15k 9.4%

$15k–$25k 21.6%

$25k–$35k 11.2%

$35k–$50k 12.7%

$50k–$75k 13.9%

$75k–$100k 10.2%

$100k–$150k 7.4%

$150k–$200k 0.3%

$200k+ 3.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	10.3%
$10k–$15k	9.4%
$15k–$25k	21.6%
$25k–$35k	11.2%
$35k–$50k	12.7%
$50k–$75k	13.9%
$75k–$100k	10.2%
$100k–$150k	7.4%
$150k–$200k	0.3%
$200k+	3.2%
Median income	$33,603

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 17.3%

$50k–$100k 35.5%

$100k–$150k 19.0%

$150k–$200k 10.5%

$200k–$300k 14.8%

$300k–$500k 2.7%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$95,800
Median rent / month	$673
Owner occupied	68.3%
Renter occupied	31.7%
Vacant	23.6%
Single-family detached	68.3%
Large apartment buildings	0.5%
Mobile homes	21.7%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.45

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	3.0%
2000–2009	10.1%
1990–1999	11.6%
1980–1989	27.8%
1970–1979	18.1%
1960–1969	11.4%
1950–1959	10.0%
1940–1949	4.1%
1939 or earlier	3.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	9.3%
2 bedrooms	30.3%
3 bedrooms	48.5%
4 bedrooms	10.6%
5+ bedrooms	0.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.1%
1 vehicle	43.5%
2 vehicles	29.0%
3 or more	22.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	21.6%
Electricity	61.8%
Propane / LP gas	15.0%
Wood	1.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	453	37.8%
Cohabiting couple	30	2.5%
Male householder, no spouse	258	21.6%
Female householder, no spouse	456	38.1%
Households with children under 18	288	24.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	397	33.2%
Average household size	2.32

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	35.3%	26.0%
Married	50.2%	37.9%
Separated	3.9%	3.9%
Widowed	2.1%	20.3%
Divorced	8.5%	11.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 9.8%

Some HS, no diploma 9.6%

HS graduate 42.4%

Some college, no degree 19.8%

Associate's degree 4.8%

Bachelor's degree 9.9%

Graduate / professional 3.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	80.5%
Bachelor's or higher	13.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	57	12.5%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	166	36.5%
High school	166	36.5%
College / grad school	66	14.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.0%

Professional & management 13.1%

Retail trade 11.3%

Construction 11.0%

Manufacturing 9.4%

Agriculture & mining 9.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.7%

Transportation & utilities 5.2%

Finance & real estate 2.6%

Public administration 2.3%

Wholesale trade 1.2%

Other services 1.2%

Information 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	25.1%
Service	17.4%
Sales & office	20.8%
Natural resources & construction	18.0%
Production & transportation	18.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	91.9%
Government	6.6%
Self-employed	1.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.8%
Carpool	17.2%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	2.4%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	29.2

Poverty

All people 29.6%

Under 18 years 51.3%

18 and over 24.8%

Married-couple families 12.6%

Female-led households 53.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	31.7%
Retirement income	21.1%
Supplemental Security	10.7%
Cash public assistance	2.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	44.4%
High cholesterol	38.4%
Heart disease	8.7%
Stroke	4.8%
Asthma	10.1%
Arthritis	29.6%
Kidney disease	4.0%
Pulmonary disease	9.6%
Cancer	6.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.7%
No physical activity	35.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.8%
Fair or poor health	23.1%
Poor mental health	17.6%
Poor physical health	14.4%
No health insurance	17.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.5%
Visited dentist	51.7%
Cholesterol screening	89.8%
Teeth loss	21.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	122	5.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.4%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	18.6%
65 and over	37.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	46.6%
Public insurance	57.2%
Uninsured under 19	4.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,642	94.3%
Spanish	86	3.3%
Other Indo-European	86	3.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,641	94.3%
Born in same state	2,629	93.9%
Born in different state	2,188	78.1%
Foreign born	12	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	160	5.7%
Not a US citizen	21	13.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	499	17.8%
French	357	12.7%
Italian	114	4.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	35	1.2%
Polish	6	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.7%
Internet access	77.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Bernice, LA have?

Bernice, LA has one ZIP code: 71222. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.