Elm City ZIP Codes — Wilson County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Elm City, North Carolina and it is 27822. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

87.63

sq mi land

0.55

sq mi water

252

area code

Elm City, NC ZIP code map

About Elm City, NC

Elm City is a small yet inviting town located in North Carolina. Nestled within Wilson County, this charming community boasts a rich blend of southern hospitality and rural charm. Visitors and residents alike appreciate its tranquil surroundings and close-knit atmosphere.

Location & geography

Elm City is strategically situated in eastern North Carolina, making it easily accessible from various neighboring cities. For instance, it is approximately 16 miles southwest of Rocky Mount, 28 miles from Wilson, and 50 miles from Greenville. The town covers a land area of 87.63 square miles, with a water area of 0.55 square miles, featuring rolling terrain and scenic landscapes.

Community & economy

The character of Elm City is defined by its friendly residents and strong community spirit. Local industries primarily revolve around agriculture and small businesses, contributing to a quaint, rural lifestyle. Daily life here revolves around community events, local schools, and enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Transportation

Elm City is conveniently accessed via several highways, including U.S. Route 301, which connects to larger cities in the region. The nearest major airport is the Wilson Regional Airport, located just a short drive away. Public transit options may be limited, but the town's compact nature makes it easy for residents to navigate on foot or by car.

History

Elm City has a rich history that dates back to its founding in the late 19th century, when it grew as a hub for agriculture and rail transport. The economy has historically relied on farming, but it has evolved to include various small businesses and services. Notable events include the establishment of the town's post office in 1887, which played a crucial role in connecting the community.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Elm City is that despite its small size, it is home to a vibrant annual event that attracts visitors from surrounding areas. This highlights the town's commitment to community engagement and local culture.

ZIP codes for Elm City, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27822	Elm City	Wilson	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,870

Population

44.5

Median age

$58,594

Median household income

$31,236

Per capita income

$140,200

Median home value

$835

Median monthly rent

82.9%

Home ownership

13.9%

Poverty rate

2.5%

Unemployment

2,961

Housing units

19.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

256

Under 5

273

205

5–9

219

119

10–14

126

329

15–19

349

228

20–24

242

456

25–34

486

347

35–44

369

514

45–54

546

343

55–59

364

212

60–64

226

479

65–74

510

239

75–84

254

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,569	19.9%
18 and over	6,301	80.1%
65 and over	1,661	21.1%
Median age	44.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 66.1%

Black or African American 23.5%

Hispanic or Latino 4.6%

Other race 3.6%

Two or more races 1.7%

Asian 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	5,454	66.1%
Black or African American	1,940	23.5%
Hispanic or Latino	383	4.6%
Other race	299	3.6%
Two or more races	143	1.7%
Asian	34	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 6.4%

$10k–$15k 2.1%

$15k–$25k 15.9%

$25k–$35k 7.2%

$35k–$50k 8.8%

$50k–$75k 18.6%

$75k–$100k 12.6%

$100k–$150k 17.5%

$150k–$200k 7.6%

$200k+ 3.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.4%
$10k–$15k	2.1%
$15k–$25k	15.9%
$25k–$35k	7.2%
$35k–$50k	8.8%
$50k–$75k	18.6%
$75k–$100k	12.6%
$100k–$150k	17.5%
$150k–$200k	7.6%
$200k+	3.4%
Median income	$58,594

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.0%

$50k–$100k 23.5%

$100k–$150k 18.9%

$150k–$200k 16.5%

$200k–$300k 13.2%

$300k–$500k 14.3%

$500k–$1M 2.3%

$1M+ 1.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$140,200
Median rent / month	$835
Owner occupied	82.9%
Renter occupied	17.1%
Vacant	7.4%
Single-family detached	74.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	23.5%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.42

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	3.1%
2000–2009	20.9%
1990–1999	14.9%
1980–1989	18.2%
1970–1979	16.0%
1960–1969	5.8%
1950–1959	8.2%
1940–1949	4.4%
1939 or earlier	8.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.3%
1 bedroom	2.4%
2 bedrooms	18.6%
3 bedrooms	66.8%
4 bedrooms	8.7%
5+ bedrooms	3.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.6%
1 vehicle	24.5%
2 vehicles	41.5%
3 or more	30.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	14.7%
Electricity	59.2%
Propane / LP gas	25.9%
Fuel oil	0.1%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,665	51.1%
Cohabiting couple	100	3.1%
Male householder, no spouse	568	17.4%
Female householder, no spouse	923	28.3%
Households with children under 18	923	28.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,307	40.1%
Average household size	2.41

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.3%	27.1%
Married	52.5%	48.6%
Separated	0.6%	2.1%
Widowed	6.4%	13.6%
Divorced	8.2%	8.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.2%

Some HS, no diploma 7.6%

HS graduate 32.4%

Some college, no degree 26.1%

Associate's degree 10.6%

Bachelor's degree 11.9%

Graduate / professional 7.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.2%
Bachelor's or higher	19.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	114	6.2%
Kindergarten	62	3.4%
Elementary school	566	30.9%
High school	543	29.7%
College / grad school	545	29.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.8%

Manufacturing 15.8%

Professional & management 11.2%

Transportation & utilities 7.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.0%

Retail trade 6.9%

Public administration 6.7%

Construction 6.5%

Finance & real estate 6.5%

Wholesale trade 4.4%

Information 3.9%

Other services 2.4%

Agriculture & mining 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	43.5%
Service	14.2%
Sales & office	15.6%
Natural resources & construction	12.7%
Production & transportation	14.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.3%
Government	19.1%
Self-employed	5.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.9%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.2%
Carpool	7.7%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	0.3%
Other means	0.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.2

Poverty

All people 13.9%

Under 18 years 31.7%

18 and over 9.5%

Married-couple families 6.5%

Female-led households 27.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.2%
Retirement income	21.4%
Supplemental Security	6.1%
Cash public assistance	0.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.3%
High cholesterol	37.4%
Heart disease	7.7%
Stroke	4.0%
Asthma	9.9%
Arthritis	29.3%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	8.5%
Cancer	7.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.3%
No physical activity	25.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.8%
Fair or poor health	17.0%
Poor mental health	14.9%
Poor physical health	12.3%
No health insurance	18.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	80.2%
Visited dentist	62.6%
Cholesterol screening	90.4%
Teeth loss	16.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	567	9.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.6%
Under 18	4.5%
18–64 years	9.0%
65 and over	44.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	68.0%
Public insurance	42.6%
Uninsured under 19	0.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,341	93.3%
Spanish	85	1.2%
Other Indo-European	70	1.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	15	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,599	96.6%
Born in same state	7,599	96.6%
Born in different state	6,073	77.2%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	271	3.4%
Not a US citizen	89	32.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,561	19.8%
French	683	8.7%
Italian	345	4.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	98	1.2%
Polish	49	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.4%
Internet access	85.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Elm City, NC have?

Elm City, NC has one ZIP code: 27822. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.