Stem ZIP Codes — Granville County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Stem, North Carolina and it is 27581. Area code: 919/984.
1
ZIP codes
36.19
sq mi land
0.64
sq mi water
919/984
area code
Stem, NC ZIP code map

About Stem, NC

Stem is a charming community located in Granville County, North Carolina. Nestled in the heart of the state, it offers a unique blend of small-town charm and proximity to larger urban areas. With a single ZIP code of 27581, Stem is a tight-knit community that provides a tranquil residential environment.

Location & geography

Stem is situated approximately 30 miles northeast of Raleigh, the state capital, and about 25 miles northwest of Durham. The town covers a land area of 36.19 square miles and includes a small water area of 0.64 square miles, contributing to its scenic landscape. The terrain is primarily rural, making it an ideal place for outdoor activities and enjoying nature.

Community & economy

The character of Stem is defined by its friendly atmosphere and strong community bonds among residents. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, with many residents engaged in farming and related industries. Daily life in Stem reflects a slower pace, ideal for families and individuals seeking a peaceful lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of city living.

Transportation

Stem is accessible via major highways including U.S. Route 15, which connects it to surrounding towns and cities. The nearest airport is the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, located about 30 miles south, providing residents with convenient air travel options. Public transport options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation for residents.

History

Stem was founded in the late 19th century and has a rich history tied to the agricultural industries of North Carolina. The town has maintained its rural character while evolving over the years to meet the needs of its residents. Notable events in local history reflect the community's resilience and commitment to preserving its heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Stem is that it is home to several picturesque farms that attract visitors for agritourism experiences. Additionally, despite its small size, the community hosts various local events that bring people together throughout the year.

ZIP codes for Stem, NC (1)
ZIP code City County Map
27581 Stem Granville View map

Demographics & statistics

3,774
Population
36.7
Median age
$67,500
Median household income
$32,272
Per capita income
$193,300
Median home value
$937
Median monthly rent
90.0%
Home ownership
5.9%
Poverty rate
4.5%
Unemployment
1,388
Housing units
20.7%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
108
Under 5
117
80
5–9
86
134
10–14
144
140
15–19
151
164
20–24
176
243
25–34
263
228
35–44
245
272
45–54
294
87
55–59
93
69
60–64
75
190
65–74
204
63
75–84
67
39
85+
42
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1882721.9%
18 and over2,94778.1%
65 and over60516.0%
Median age36.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 66.4%
Black or African American 21.5%
Two or more races 6.9%
Hispanic or Latino 3.2%
Other race 2%
GroupCount%
White2,58766.4%
Black or African American84021.5%
Two or more races2696.9%
Hispanic or Latino1253.2%
Other race782%

Household income

Under $10k 1.2%
$10k–$15k 0.7%
$15k–$25k 6.8%
$25k–$35k 7.6%
$35k–$50k 20.0%
$50k–$75k 18.2%
$75k–$100k 11.4%
$100k–$150k 20.3%
$150k–$200k 7.0%
$200k+ 6.7%
Range% of households
Under $10k1.2%
$10k–$15k0.7%
$15k–$25k6.8%
$25k–$35k7.6%
$35k–$50k20.0%
$50k–$75k18.2%
$75k–$100k11.4%
$100k–$150k20.3%
$150k–$200k7.0%
$200k+6.7%
Median income$67,500

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.7%
$50k–$100k 4.9%
$100k–$150k 9.6%
$150k–$200k 26.5%
$200k–$300k 32.9%
$300k–$500k 7.3%
$500k–$1M 6.0%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$193,300
Median rent / month$937
Owner occupied90.0%
Renter occupied10.0%
Vacant11.5%
Single-family detached72.8%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes25.5%
Median rooms5.8
Avg household size (owned)2.81

Year built

Era%
2020 or later4.8%
2010–201916.2%
2000–200924.0%
1990–199922.0%
1980–198918.1%
1970–19794.2%
1960–19694.6%
1950–19592.2%
1940–19491.3%
1939 or earlier2.6%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom1.6%
2 bedrooms13.3%
3 bedrooms72.8%
4 bedrooms10.5%
5+ bedrooms1.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.0%
1 vehicle23.4%
2 vehicles35.6%
3 or more41.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas12.1%
Electricity72.9%
Propane / LP gas11.4%
Fuel oil3.4%
Wood0.1%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family73054.2%
Cohabiting couple725.3%
Male householder, no spouse1158.5%
Female householder, no spouse43132.0%
Households with children under 1842131.2%
Households with seniors (65+)39729.5%
Average household size2.79

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married36.1%30.7%
Married53.5%52.4%
Separated1.6%3.1%
Widowed0.0%8.5%
Divorced8.7%5.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.6%
Some HS, no diploma 5.2%
HS graduate 44.2%
Some college, no degree 17.3%
Associate's degree 9.9%
Bachelor's degree 13.3%
Graduate / professional 7.4%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher92.2%
Bachelor's or higher20.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool434.9%
Kindergarten293.3%
Elementary school40746.7%
High school19121.9%
College / grad school20223.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 32.2%
Professional & management 13.1%
Manufacturing 8.2%
Retail trade 8.0%
Public administration 6.6%
Transportation & utilities 5.9%
Finance & real estate 5.9%
Arts, food & hospitality 5.8%
Other services 5.7%
Construction 4.9%
Wholesale trade 2.2%
Agriculture & mining 0.7%
Information 0.7%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts35.1%
Service20.0%
Sales & office22.8%
Natural resources & construction9.2%
Production & transportation12.9%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector73.0%
Government20.6%
Self-employed6.5%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone84.7%
Carpool9.2%
Public transit0.0%
Walk0.0%
Other means0.2%
Avg commute (minutes)30.0

Poverty

All people 5.9%
Under 18 years 8.9%
18 and over 5.1%
Married-couple families 1.2%
Female-led households 8.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security27.5%
Retirement income24.9%
Supplemental Security5.9%
Cash public assistance4.0%
Food stamps / SNAP8.5%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure31.5%
High cholesterol33.4%
Heart disease5.7%
Stroke2.8%
Asthma9.1%
Arthritis24.0%
Kidney disease2.6%
Pulmonary disease6.3%
Cancer6.0%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.1%
No physical activity20.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep32.5%
Fair or poor health12.3%
Poor mental health14.4%
Poor physical health9.8%
No health insurance16.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.3%
Visited dentist67.5%
Cholesterol screening89.9%
Teeth loss12.6%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans1946.6%
Disability%
Any disability11.2%
Under 1810.6%
18–64 years8.2%
65 and over24.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance61.5%
Public insurance39.3%
Uninsured under 191.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only3,54994.0%
Spanish421.2%
Other Indo-European421.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)3,71498.4%
Born in same state3,71498.4%
Born in different state2,67770.9%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen601.6%
Not a US citizen1423.3%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French41310.9%
Arab3689.8%
Italian2817.4%
AncestryCount%
German150.4%
English50.1%
Polish30.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access35.7%
Internet access88.7%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Stem, NC have?
Stem, NC has one ZIP code: 27581. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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