Birch River ZIP Codes — Nicholas County, WV

There is one unique ZIP code in Birch River, West Virginia and it is 26610. Area code: 304/681.
1
ZIP codes
74.58
sq mi land
0.17
sq mi water
304/681
area code
Birch River, WV ZIP code map

About Birch River, WV

Birch River, West Virginia, is a small, charming community that captures the essence of rural Appalachian life. Located in Nicholas County, this quaint town offers residents and visitors a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by nature. With its picturesque landscape and close-knit community, Birch River is an inviting place for those seeking tranquility and outdoor adventures.

Location & geography

Birch River is situated in the central part of the state of West Virginia, specifically in Nicholas County. Nearby cities include Summersville, approximately 17 miles away, Webster Springs, about 19 miles to the east, and Clay, roughly 21 miles to the northwest. The town covers a land area of 74.58 square miles, with an additional 0.17 square miles of water, offering a mixture of rolling hills and lush forests typical of the region.

Community & economy

The community of Birch River is characterized by its friendly residents and a strong sense of local identity. There are several small businesses and agricultural activities that form the backbone of the local economy, with community events that celebrate the area's culture and heritage. Daily life in Birch River reflects a slower pace, where neighbors often come together to support one another and enjoy the scenic beauty surrounding them.

Transportation

Birch River is accessible via U.S. Route 19, which is a major north-south highway that connects to other parts of West Virginia. The nearest airport for travelers is the Raleigh County Memorial Airport, located about 35 miles to the southwest. Public transportation options are limited, so personal vehicles are the primary means of getting around.

History

Birch River was established as part of the larger development of Nicholas County, with roots in the mid-19th century when the area began to attract settlers. Historically, the economy was supported by agriculture and logging industries, which played vital roles in the growing community. Over the years, Birch River has maintained its small-town charm, weathering various changes while remaining a beloved location for its residents.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Birch River is that it is home to the Birch River Community Center, which serves as a hub for local events and activities. Additionally, the town is located near the scenic Gauley River, known for its beautiful landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities.

ZIP codes for Birch River, WV (1)
ZIP code City County Map
26610 Birch River Nicholas View map

Demographics & statistics

576
Population
61.2
Median age
$44,706
Median household income
$27,543
Per capita income
$125,600
Median home value
$690
Median monthly rent
69.6%
Home ownership
9.7%
Poverty rate
1.2%
Unemployment
343
Housing units
14.3%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
15
Under 5
16
5
5–9
5
6
10–14
7
19
15–19
22
6
20–24
6
48
25–34
55
4
35–44
4
13
45–54
15
18
55–59
21
25
60–64
28
58
65–74
65
49
75–84
56
5
85+
5
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 189516.5%
18 and over48183.5%
65 and over23841.3%
Median age61.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.4%
Two or more races 2.3%
Black or African American 1.4%
GroupCount%
White55596.4%
Two or more races132.3%
Black or African American81.4%

Household income

$10k–$15k 15.7%
$15k–$25k 2.5%
$25k–$35k 10.4%
$35k–$50k 36.8%
$50k–$75k 13.2%
$75k–$100k 15.4%
$100k–$150k 2.5%
$150k–$200k 3.6%
Range% of households
$10k–$15k15.7%
$15k–$25k2.5%
$25k–$35k10.4%
$35k–$50k36.8%
$50k–$75k13.2%
$75k–$100k15.4%
$100k–$150k2.5%
$150k–$200k3.6%
Median income$44,706

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.7%
$50k–$100k 30.8%
$100k–$150k 19.5%
$150k–$200k 7.2%
$200k–$300k 25.1%
$500k–$1M 7.7%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$125,600
Median rent / month$690
Owner occupied69.6%
Renter occupied30.4%
Vacant34.6%
Single-family detached46.7%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes48.1%
Median rooms5.3
Avg household size (owned)2.38

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–201910.5%
2000–200925.7%
1990–199912.1%
1980–198910.5%
1970–19794.0%
1960–196913.3%
1950–19591.9%
1940–19493.3%
1939 or earlier18.7%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)1.9%
1 bedroom9.8%
2 bedrooms23.4%
3 bedrooms43.2%
4 bedrooms15.9%
5+ bedrooms5.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.0%
1 vehicle47.5%
2 vehicles25.7%
3 or more26.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas24.6%
Electricity36.4%
Propane / LP gas14.3%
Fuel oil2.9%
Wood9.6%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family14852.9%
Cohabiting couple196.8%
Male householder, no spouse4716.8%
Female householder, no spouse6623.6%
Households with children under 183512.5%
Households with seniors (65+)18164.6%
Average household size2.06

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married4.7%21.7%
Married71.1%47.9%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed8.6%25.2%
Divorced15.5%5.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.5%
Some HS, no diploma 5.1%
HS graduate 53.7%
Some college, no degree 14.9%
Associate's degree 7.5%
Bachelor's degree 4.9%
Graduate / professional 9.4%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher90.4%
Bachelor's or higher14.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool1015.6%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school1320.3%
High school4164.1%
College / grad school00.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 22.0%
Education & healthcare 18.2%
Agriculture & mining 11.3%
Transportation & utilities 10.1%
Public administration 10.1%
Retail trade 9.4%
Construction 8.2%
Professional & management 5.7%
Wholesale trade 5.0%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts20.8%
Service14.5%
Sales & office5.0%
Natural resources & construction13.2%
Production & transportation46.5%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector71.7%
Government22.0%
Self-employed6.3%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone90.4%
Carpool5.9%
Public transit0.0%
Walk0.0%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)43.9

Poverty

All people 9.7%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 11.6%
Married-couple families 0.0%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security69.3%
Retirement income37.1%
Supplemental Security3.9%
Cash public assistance0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP5.0%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure45.4%
High cholesterol41.0%
Heart disease9.6%
Stroke4.2%
Asthma11.8%
Arthritis38.0%
Kidney disease3.7%
Pulmonary disease13.6%
Cancer7.0%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking11.7%
No physical activity34.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep40.8%
Fair or poor health25.0%
Poor mental health19.1%
Poor physical health16.8%
No health insurance12.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)80.4%
Visited dentist53.1%
Cholesterol screening88.8%
Teeth loss24.2%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans6313.1%
Disability%
Any disability25.7%
Under 180.0%
18–64 years23.0%
65 and over38.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance65.1%
Public insurance62.5%
Uninsured under 199.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only54594.6%
Spanish81.5%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)576100.0%
Born in same state576100.0%
Born in different state49686.1%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French11620.1%
Italian10017.4%
AncestryCount%
Arab529%
English152.6%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access48.6%
Internet access75.7%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Birch River, WV have?
Birch River, WV has one ZIP code: 26610. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
Need the complete West Virginia ZIP code database? Download all WV ZIP codes — Excel, CSV, or Access. Includes lat/lng, county FIPS & timezone.
Download database →