Appalachia ZIP Codes — Wise County, VA

There is one unique ZIP code in Appalachia, Virginia and it is 24216. Area code: 276.

ZIP codes

69.70

sq mi land

0.21

sq mi water

276

area code

Appalachia, VA ZIP code map

About Appalachia, VA

Appalachia is a small town located in Wise County, Virginia. This quaint community is nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, providing beautiful natural scenery. Visitors and residents alike appreciate the region's rich history and tight-knit community atmosphere.

Location & geography

Appalachia is situated in the southwestern part of Virginia, bordered by the stunning Appalachian Mountains. Nearby cities include Norton, located approximately 7 miles to the northeast, Big Stone Gap about 5.5 miles to the southwest, and Coeburn roughly 6 miles to the east. The total land area of Appalachia is 69.70 square miles, with a small water area of 0.21 square miles offering a diverse terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Appalachia is largely defined by its friendly and welcoming residents, who often gather for local events and activities. The economy primarily relies on natural resources and traditional industries, providing employment opportunities for locals. Daily life in this small town revolves around community involvement, outdoor recreational activities, and enjoying the beautiful mountain setting.

Transportation

Appalachia is accessible via U.S. Route 23, which runs through the town and connects it to surrounding areas. The nearest major airport is Tri-Cities Airport, located about 48 miles to the southwest in Blountville, Tennessee. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the most common mode of transit.

History

Appalachia was founded in the early 20th century, primarily as a coal mining town, which played a significant role in the local economy. As coal production declined, the community began focusing on preserving its cultural heritage and promoting tourism. Notable events in the town's history include the establishment of local festivals that celebrate its Appalachian roots.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Appalachia is that the town once thrived during the coal boom in the early 1900s, with several coal mines operating in the area. Today, it stands as a reminder of America’s industrial past, attracting those interested in mining history and Appalachian culture.

ZIP codes for Appalachia, VA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24216	Appalachia	Wise	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,472

Population

45.1

Median age

$35,053

Median household income

$18,176

Per capita income

$54,600

Median home value

$619

Median monthly rent

67.2%

Home ownership

32.8%

Poverty rate

7.7%

Unemployment

945

Housing units

11.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

107

15–19

20–24

133

25–34

144

100

35–44

107

153

45–54

164

55–59

110

60–64

118

145

65–74

156

114

75–84

122

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	592	23.9%
18 and over	1,880	76.1%
65 and over	566	22.9%
Median age	45.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89%

Two or more races 7.9%

Black or African American 3.1%

Group	Count	%
White	2,200	89%
Two or more races	196	7.9%
Black or African American	76	3.1%

Household income

Under $10k 14.7%

$10k–$15k 7.3%

$15k–$25k 21.1%

$25k–$35k 6.9%

$35k–$50k 19.1%

$50k–$75k 14.2%

$75k–$100k 10.2%

$100k–$150k 3.5%

$150k–$200k 3.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	14.7%
$10k–$15k	7.3%
$15k–$25k	21.1%
$25k–$35k	6.9%
$35k–$50k	19.1%
$50k–$75k	14.2%
$75k–$100k	10.2%
$100k–$150k	3.5%
$150k–$200k	3.0%
Median income	$35,053

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 42.0%

$50k–$100k 43.8%

$100k–$150k 7.2%

$150k–$200k 1.8%

$200k–$300k 1.6%

$300k–$500k 1.6%

$500k–$1M 2.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$54,600
Median rent / month	$619
Owner occupied	67.2%
Renter occupied	32.8%
Vacant	20.3%
Single-family detached	65.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.7%
Mobile homes	15.6%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.37

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.0%
2000–2009	5.6%
1990–1999	3.8%
1980–1989	14.8%
1970–1979	17.0%
1960–1969	4.7%
1950–1959	7.0%
1940–1949	11.3%
1939 or earlier	32.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	6.3%
2 bedrooms	33.8%
3 bedrooms	37.7%
4 bedrooms	16.0%
5+ bedrooms	6.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	13.5%
1 vehicle	38.6%
2 vehicles	27.8%
3 or more	20.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.8%
Electricity	82.5%
Propane / LP gas	7.6%
Fuel oil	2.3%
Wood	0.7%
No fuel used	3.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	442	43.3%
Cohabiting couple	34	3.3%
Male householder, no spouse	237	23.2%
Female householder, no spouse	307	30.1%
Households with children under 18	291	28.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	446	43.7%
Average household size	2.42

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.8%	26.2%
Married	49.6%	42.5%
Separated	2.9%	3.9%
Widowed	7.5%	14.7%
Divorced	13.1%	12.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 13.6%

Some HS, no diploma 8.8%

HS graduate 30.6%

Some college, no degree 23.9%

Associate's degree 11.4%

Bachelor's degree 8.9%

Graduate / professional 2.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	77.6%
Bachelor's or higher	11.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	8	1.5%
Kindergarten	47	8.5%
Elementary school	235	42.6%
High school	189	34.3%
College / grad school	72	13.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 30.1%

Other services 10.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.9%

Transportation & utilities 8.4%

Manufacturing 8.1%

Retail trade 6.2%

Public administration 6.1%

Agriculture & mining 5.9%

Professional & management 5.1%

Construction 5.0%

Finance & real estate 3.4%

Wholesale trade 2.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.2%
Service	30.5%
Sales & office	15.8%
Natural resources & construction	9.4%
Production & transportation	16.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	63.1%
Government	29.6%
Self-employed	7.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.8%
Carpool	10.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.6%
Other means	0.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.5

Poverty

All people 32.8%

Under 18 years 51.4%

18 and over 26.9%

Married-couple families 17.4%

Female-led households 46.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	49.7%
Retirement income	21.3%
Supplemental Security	17.9%
Cash public assistance	4.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	27.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.2%
High cholesterol	36.1%
Heart disease	9.7%
Stroke	5.1%
Asthma	11.5%
Arthritis	35.2%
Kidney disease	4.3%
Pulmonary disease	13.8%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.8%
No physical activity	33.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	39.6%
Fair or poor health	26.4%
Poor mental health	18.4%
Poor physical health	16.4%
No health insurance	16.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.9%
Visited dentist	49.7%
Cholesterol screening	86.4%
Teeth loss	25.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	153	8.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	28.2%
Under 18	7.6%
18–64 years	26.2%
65 and over	54.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	49.3%
Public insurance	61.3%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,348	95.0%
Spanish	12	0.5%
Other Indo-European	12	0.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,461	99.6%
Born in same state	2,430	98.3%
Born in different state	1,800	72.8%
Foreign born	31	1.3%
Naturalized citizen	11	0.4%
Not a US citizen	5	45.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	533	21.6%
French	383	15.5%
Italian	325	13.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	25	1%
English	14	0.6%
Irish	9	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.3%
Internet access	80.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Appalachia, VA have?

Appalachia, VA has one ZIP code: 24216. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.