Sunbury ZIP Code List — Gates County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Sunbury, North Carolina and it is 27979. Area code: 252.
1
ZIP codes
70.72
sq mi land
0.03
sq mi water
252
area code
Sunbury, NC ZIP code map

About Sunbury, NC

Sunbury is a charming community located in North Carolina, nestled within Gates County. This small town boasts picturesque scenery and a tight-knit atmosphere, making it a delightful place to live or visit. With its rich history and welcoming residents, Sunbury captures the essence of Southern hospitality.

Location & geography

Geographically, Sunbury occupies a land area of 70.72 square miles, complemented by a minuscule water area of 0.03 square miles. It is situated near several neighboring cities, including Gatesville approximately 15 miles to the west, and Elizabeth City, which lies about 22 miles to the northeast. The landscape is characterized by rural terrain, featuring lush greenery and waterways that enhance its natural beauty.

Community & economy

The community of Sunbury reflects a strong sense of tradition and southern charm, fostering close relationships among its residents. The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture and small businesses, contributing to the town's quaint character. Daily life in Sunbury is peaceful and laid-back, with various community events and gatherings enriching the social fabric of the town.

Transportation

Sunbury is conveniently accessible via several highways, most notably North Carolina Highway 32, which connects it to larger cities in the region. The nearest major airport is Elizabeth City Pasquotank County Regional Airport, located about 25 miles to the northeast, providing essential air travel options. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary means of transportation for residents.

History

Sunbury was established in the early 19th century, growing from its roots as a rural agricultural community. Key industries in the area historically included farming and timber, which remain influential to this day. The town has experienced various developments over the years, but it has preserved its small-town charm through community-oriented events.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Sunbury is that it has a significant historical background tied to the Colonial era, adding to its cultural richness. Additionally, its location near the Chowan River makes it an interesting spot for nature enthusiasts and those looking to explore the outdoors.

ZIP codes for Sunbury, NC (1)
ZIP code City County Map
27979 Sunbury Gates View map

Demographics & statistics

681
Population
56.0
Median age
$54,554
Median household income
$32,236
Per capita income
$174,700
Median home value
$590
Median monthly rent
85.1%
Home ownership
2.2%
Poverty rate
0.0%
Unemployment
395
Housing units
9.5%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
9
Under 5
11
5
5–9
6
4
15–19
5
25
20–24
29
59
25–34
72
8
35–44
10
39
45–54
47
26
55–59
32
47
60–64
56
74
65–74
89
4
75–84
4
9
85+
11
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 18405.9%
18 and over64194.1%
65 and over19128.0%
Median age56.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.6%
Black or African American 12.3%
Two or more races 2.1%
GroupCount%
White58385.6%
Black or African American8412.3%
Two or more races142.1%

Household income

$25k–$35k 17.5%
$35k–$50k 19.5%
$50k–$75k 48.7%
$75k–$100k 3.2%
$100k–$150k 9.6%
$150k–$200k 1.5%
Range% of households
$25k–$35k17.5%
$35k–$50k19.5%
$50k–$75k48.7%
$75k–$100k3.2%
$100k–$150k9.6%
$150k–$200k1.5%
Median income$54,554

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.1%
$50k–$100k 7.2%
$100k–$150k 7.9%
$150k–$200k 37.0%
$200k–$300k 25.7%
$300k–$500k 6.5%
$500k–$1M 10.6%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$174,700
Median rent / month$590
Owner occupied85.1%
Renter occupied14.9%
Vacant23.1%
Single-family detached80.0%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes20.0%
Median rooms6.0
Avg household size (owned)2.11

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20197.2%
2000–200914.3%
1990–19996.1%
1980–19899.4%
1970–197918.4%
1960–19696.5%
1950–195922.0%
1940–19496.3%
1939 or earlier9.9%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom0.0%
2 bedrooms26.5%
3 bedrooms66.6%
4 bedrooms7.0%
5+ bedrooms0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.0%
1 vehicle24.5%
2 vehicles40.2%
3 or more35.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas1.5%
Electricity80.8%
Propane / LP gas17.8%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family13639.7%
Cohabiting couple308.7%
Male householder, no spouse8825.7%
Female householder, no spouse8925.9%
Households with children under 183510.2%
Households with seniors (65+)16548.1%
Average household size1.99

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married22.7%37.2%
Married46.3%39.6%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed4.9%13.8%
Divorced26.2%9.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 7.7%
HS graduate 60.3%
Some college, no degree 12.3%
Associate's degree 10.2%
Bachelor's degree 4.6%
Graduate / professional 4.9%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher92.3%
Bachelor's or higher9.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool1227.3%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school1636.4%
High school920.5%
College / grad school715.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Other services 18.4%
Manufacturing 17.5%
Education & healthcare 17.0%
Retail trade 15.6%
Construction 8.5%
Professional & management 7.6%
Public administration 6.4%
Transportation & utilities 4.4%
Agriculture & mining 3.9%
Finance & real estate 0.7%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts21.1%
Service16.3%
Sales & office28.0%
Natural resources & construction10.8%
Production & transportation23.7%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector83.7%
Government10.1%
Self-employed6.2%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone63.4%
Carpool29.4%
Public transit0.0%
Walk1.1%
Other means1.4%
Avg commute (minutes)51.4

Poverty

All people 2.2%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 2.3%
Married-couple families 0.0%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security40.8%
Retirement income38.2%
Supplemental Security2.0%
Cash public assistance8.7%
Food stamps / SNAP6.7%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure40.3%
High cholesterol36.3%
Heart disease7.5%
Stroke4.1%
Asthma9.5%
Arthritis28.6%
Kidney disease3.5%
Pulmonary disease7.3%
Cancer7.2%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking14.0%
No physical activity25.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep35.5%
Fair or poor health15.8%
Poor mental health13.8%
Poor physical health11.2%
No health insurance18.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)81.2%
Visited dentist62.1%
Cholesterol screening91.5%
Teeth loss15.9%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans203.1%
Disability%
Any disability17.0%
Under 180.0%
18–64 years12.2%
65 and over31.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance78.7%
Public insurance42.9%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only66197.1%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)67098.4%
Born in same state67098.4%
Born in different state34450.5%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen111.6%
Not a US citizen11100.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Arab19728.9%
Italian497.2%
AncestryCount%
French426.2%
English30.4%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access50.4%
Internet access100.0%

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

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for Sunbury, NC?
Sunbury, NC has one ZIP code: 27979.
What is the main ZIP code for Sunbury, NC?
The primary ZIP code for Sunbury, NC is 27979. The city uses area code 252 for phone service.
What county is Sunbury, NC in?
Sunbury is located in Gates County, North Carolina.
How many ZIP codes are in Sunbury, NC?
Sunbury, NC has 1 ZIP code.
What is the ZIP code for the downtown Sunbury area in Gates County?
The downtown Sunbury area uses ZIP code 27979, which serves the central part of this Gates County community.
If I'm sending mail to a residential address in Sunbury, NC, what ZIP code should I use?
All residential addresses in Sunbury, North Carolina should use the ZIP code 27979, as it is the single ZIP code that covers the entire town.
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