Kenly ZIP Codes — Johnston County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Kenly, North Carolina and it is 27542. Area code: 919/984.

ZIP codes

90.10

sq mi land

1.43

sq mi water

919/984

area code

Kenly, NC ZIP code map

About Kenly, NC

Kenly, North Carolina is a small town located in Johnston County. Known for its quaint charm and friendly atmosphere, it offers a glimpse into the serene life of rural North Carolina. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the strong sense of community and the town's rich history.

Location & geography

Situated in the eastern part of Johnston County, Kenly is conveniently located near several larger cities. Smithfield lies approximately 15 miles to the west, Wilson is around 20 miles to the east, and Raleigh, the state capital, is about 40 miles to the northwest. The town covers a land area of 90.10 square miles, with a water area of 1.43 square miles, showcasing a mix of rural landscapes and small bodies of water.

Community & economy

The character of Kenly is often described as close-knit and welcoming, where neighbors know each other and community events are cherished. The local economy is supported by agriculture and small businesses, contributing to a vibrant daily life where residents take pride in their town. Additionally, Kenly celebrates its culture through local festivals and gatherings, which offer a chance to experience the southern hospitality that the region is known for.

Transportation

Kenly is accessible via several major highways, including Interstate 95, which runs just a few miles to the east of the town. The nearest airport is Raleigh-Durham International Airport, located around 40 miles northwest, providing residents with connectivity to larger cities and beyond. Local transit options may be limited, typically relying on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Kenly was founded in the late 19th century and has since developed a rich historical narrative centered around agriculture and transportation. The railroad played a critical role in its development, connecting the town to various markets and boosting local commerce. Notable events include community fairs that celebrate the town’s heritage and agricultural roots.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Kenly is that it houses the East Coast's largest annual Mule Days Festival, reflecting its agricultural heritage and drawing visitors from all around. Additionally, Kenly's historic downtown area features beautifully preserved buildings that showcase its rich history.

ZIP codes for Kenly, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27542	Kenly	Johnston	View map

Demographics & statistics

9,610

Population

39.9

Median age

$58,966

Median household income

$30,659

Per capita income

$154,400

Median home value

$772

Median monthly rent

70.7%

Home ownership

16.9%

Poverty rate

3.7%

Unemployment

3,171

Housing units

14.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

350

Under 5

378

200

5–9

216

422

10–14

455

217

15–19

234

169

20–24

182

419

25–34

452

817

35–44

881

542

45–54

585

355

55–59

382

331

60–64

357

485

65–74

522

188

75–84

203

129

85+

139

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,301	23.9%
18 and over	7,309	76.1%
65 and over	1,666	17.3%
Median age	39.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 73.7%

Black or African American 13.5%

Two or more races 8.9%

Hispanic or Latino 1.9%

Other race 0.9%

Asian 0.8%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	7,227	73.7%
Black or African American	1,325	13.5%
Two or more races	877	8.9%
Hispanic or Latino	190	1.9%
Other race	92	0.9%
Asian	76	0.8%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	13	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.9%

$10k–$15k 4.2%

$15k–$25k 10.8%

$25k–$35k 9.6%

$35k–$50k 12.0%

$50k–$75k 15.3%

$75k–$100k 13.0%

$100k–$150k 20.4%

$150k–$200k 4.3%

$200k+ 3.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.9%
$10k–$15k	4.2%
$15k–$25k	10.8%
$25k–$35k	9.6%
$35k–$50k	12.0%
$50k–$75k	15.3%
$75k–$100k	13.0%
$100k–$150k	20.4%
$150k–$200k	4.3%
$200k+	3.5%
Median income	$58,966

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.0%

$50k–$100k 15.9%

$100k–$150k 22.4%

$150k–$200k 16.0%

$200k–$300k 19.6%

$300k–$500k 12.4%

$500k–$1M 3.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$154,400
Median rent / month	$772
Owner occupied	70.7%
Renter occupied	29.3%
Vacant	9.2%
Single-family detached	66.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	28.9%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.45

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.0%
2010–2019	9.9%
2000–2009	11.7%
1990–1999	23.5%
1980–1989	11.9%
1970–1979	13.3%
1960–1969	10.6%
1950–1959	6.3%
1940–1949	4.9%
1939 or earlier	6.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.2%
1 bedroom	3.2%
2 bedrooms	19.0%
3 bedrooms	58.5%
4 bedrooms	16.5%
5+ bedrooms	2.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.6%
1 vehicle	27.2%
2 vehicles	36.3%
3 or more	31.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.5%
Electricity	74.2%
Propane / LP gas	18.5%
Fuel oil	0.6%
Wood	3.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,042	52.0%
Cohabiting couple	213	5.4%
Male householder, no spouse	639	16.3%
Female householder, no spouse	1,031	26.3%
Households with children under 18	1,267	32.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,126	28.7%
Average household size	2.45

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.4%	20.5%
Married	54.6%	55.6%
Separated	2.4%	2.8%
Widowed	3.0%	10.3%
Divorced	11.6%	10.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 7.1%

Some HS, no diploma 8.4%

HS graduate 34.5%

Some college, no degree 20.2%

Associate's degree 15.0%

Bachelor's degree 10.5%

Graduate / professional 4.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	84.5%
Bachelor's or higher	14.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	140	6.7%
Kindergarten	215	10.3%
Elementary school	960	45.8%
High school	379	18.1%
College / grad school	401	19.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.4%

Manufacturing 13.7%

Retail trade 11.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.1%

Construction 10.4%

Professional & management 9.2%

Other services 5.6%

Wholesale trade 4.6%

Finance & real estate 3.8%

Public administration 3.4%

Transportation & utilities 2.8%

Agriculture & mining 1.2%

Information 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.6%
Service	19.0%
Sales & office	20.3%
Natural resources & construction	12.5%
Production & transportation	17.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	84.1%
Government	11.5%
Self-employed	3.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.7%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.6%
Carpool	11.1%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	2.6%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	28.4

Poverty

All people 16.9%

Under 18 years 23.2%

18 and over 15.0%

Married-couple families 9.7%

Female-led households 25.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.7%
Retirement income	18.4%
Supplemental Security	5.8%
Cash public assistance	4.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.2%
High cholesterol	35.9%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	27.1%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	8.8%
Cancer	6.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.1%
No physical activity	27.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.6%
Fair or poor health	17.6%
Poor mental health	15.7%
Poor physical health	12.6%
No health insurance	21.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.2%
Visited dentist	59.6%
Cholesterol screening	88.3%
Teeth loss	19.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	677	9.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.8%
Under 18	6.4%
18–64 years	11.8%
65 and over	48.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.4%
Public insurance	39.4%
Uninsured under 19	4.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	8,882	92.4%
Spanish	322	3.6%
Other Indo-European	259	2.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	63	0.7%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,211	95.8%
Born in same state	9,203	95.8%
Born in different state	6,771	70.5%
Foreign born	8	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	399	4.2%
Not a US citizen	70	17.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,295	13.5%
Arab	1,243	12.9%
French	1,062	11.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	87	0.9%
English	28	0.3%
Irish	17	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.8%
Internet access	89.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Kenly, NC have?

Kenly, NC has one ZIP code: 27542. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.