Blackwater ZIP Codes — Lee County, VA

There is one unique ZIP code in Blackwater, Virginia and it is 24221. Area code: 276.

ZIP codes

51.56

sq mi land

0.02

sq mi water

276

area code

Blackwater, VA ZIP code map

About Blackwater, VA

Blackwater, Virginia, is a quaint community nestled in the southwestern part of the state. As part of Lee County, it offers residents a serene environment surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. The ZIP code for Blackwater is 24221, and it is known for its rich, local culture and friendly atmosphere.

Location & geography

Geographically, Blackwater covers a land area of 51.56 square miles, with a small water area of 0.02 square miles. Located approximately 20 miles east of the city of Middlesboro, Kentucky, and around 25 miles south of Cumberland Gap, Virginia, it offers a peaceful rural landscape. The terrain is predominantly hilly and wooded, contributing to the area's scenic vistas.

Community & economy

The community of Blackwater is characterized by its close-knit ambiance and strong ties among residents. The local economy relies on agriculture and small-scale industries, with many residents involved in farming and crafts. Daily life includes a variety of traditional activities, such as community gatherings and outdoor recreation, reflecting the area's rich heritage and communal spirit.

Transportation

Blackwater is accessible via several local roads, with U.S. Route 58 providing a significant connection to other nearby towns. The closest named airport is Tri-Cities Airport, which is approximately 60 miles away in Tennessee. Public transportation options are limited, so personal vehicles are the primary means of transit.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Blackwater has developed a history tied closely to farming and timber industries, which were key to its early economy. The area has seen various social and economic changes over the decades, with its population experiencing fluctuations due to migration and economic shifts. Notable events in its history reflect the resilience of its community amid these changes.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Blackwater is that it shares its name with a picturesque stream that runs through the area. This stream has served as a backdrop for many community events and gatherings, enhancing the town's rustic charm.

ZIP codes for Blackwater, VA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24221	Blackwater	Lee	View map

Demographics & statistics

545

Population

51.0

Median age

$50,313

Median household income

$25,028

Per capita income

$115,800

Median home value

Median monthly rent

99.1%

Home ownership

19.0%

Poverty rate

2.0%

Unemployment

430

Housing units

19.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	112	20.6%
18 and over	433	79.4%
65 and over	114	20.9%
Median age	51.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 99.4%

Two or more races 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	542	99.4%
Two or more races	3	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 8.1%

$10k–$15k 13.0%

$15k–$25k 5.4%

$25k–$35k 9.9%

$35k–$50k 12.1%

$50k–$75k 19.3%

$75k–$100k 15.7%

$100k–$150k 9.9%

$150k–$200k 6.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.1%
$10k–$15k	13.0%
$15k–$25k	5.4%
$25k–$35k	9.9%
$35k–$50k	12.1%
$50k–$75k	19.3%
$75k–$100k	15.7%
$100k–$150k	9.9%
$150k–$200k	6.7%
Median income	$50,313

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 19.5%

$50k–$100k 18.6%

$100k–$150k 24.4%

$150k–$200k 14.5%

$200k–$300k 18.6%

$300k–$500k 2.3%

$500k–$1M 2.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$115,800
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	99.1%
Renter occupied	0.9%
Vacant	48.4%
Single-family detached	82.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	17.4%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.45

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	6.9%
2000–2009	16.0%
1990–1999	9.3%
1980–1989	11.1%
1970–1979	8.8%
1960–1969	13.2%
1950–1959	23.6%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	11.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	5.6%
2 bedrooms	34.3%
3 bedrooms	49.3%
4 bedrooms	10.2%
5+ bedrooms	0.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.4%
1 vehicle	12.1%
2 vehicles	54.7%
3 or more	27.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	82.1%
Propane / LP gas	11.7%
Wood	6.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	112	50.2%
Cohabiting couple	9	4.0%
Male householder, no spouse	37	16.6%
Female householder, no spouse	65	29.1%
Households with children under 18	52	23.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	71	31.8%
Average household size	2.44

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	42.1%	6.1%
Married	46.3%	61.5%
Separated	0.0%	1.9%
Widowed	3.3%	20.7%
Divorced	8.3%	9.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 16.7%

Some HS, no diploma 1.0%

HS graduate 24.9%

Some college, no degree 18.5%

Associate's degree 19.5%

Bachelor's degree 16.3%

Graduate / professional 3.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	82.3%
Bachelor's or higher	19.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	60	65.9%
High school	20	22.0%
College / grad school	11	12.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.1%

Construction 18.6%

Agriculture & mining 17.0%

Wholesale trade 11.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.8%

Retail trade 9.3%

Manufacturing 8.8%

Finance & real estate 2.6%

Professional & management 1.5%

Transportation & utilities 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.6%
Service	15.5%
Sales & office	21.6%
Natural resources & construction	22.2%
Production & transportation	4.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	70.1%
Government	14.9%
Self-employed	14.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	89.2%
Carpool	0.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	35.7

Poverty

All people 19.0%

Under 18 years 10.2%

18 and over 21.0%

Married-couple families 10.7%

Female-led households 57.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	52.5%
Retirement income	34.1%
Supplemental Security	9.9%
Cash public assistance	10.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	43.8%
High cholesterol	38.8%
Heart disease	10.2%
Stroke	5.1%
Asthma	10.7%
Arthritis	35.9%
Kidney disease	4.3%
Pulmonary disease	13.0%
Cancer	8.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.7%
No physical activity	32.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.7%
Fair or poor health	24.4%
Poor mental health	16.0%
Poor physical health	15.5%
No health insurance	15.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.1%
Visited dentist	53.8%
Cholesterol screening	89.4%
Teeth loss	21.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	18	4.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	28.1%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	36.1%
65 and over	33.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	69.9%
Public insurance	36.7%
Uninsured under 19	13.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	513	94.1%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	545	100.0%
Born in same state	516	94.7%
Born in different state	181	33.2%
Foreign born	29	5.3%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	172	31.6%
French	92	16.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	27	5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.9%
Internet access	80.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Blackwater, VA have?

Blackwater, VA has one ZIP code: 24221. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.