Clifton Forge ZIP Codes — Alleghany County, VA

There is one unique ZIP code in Clifton Forge, Virginia and it is 24422. Area code: 540.

ZIP codes

79.52

sq mi land

0.54

sq mi water

540

area code

Clifton Forge, VA ZIP code map

About Clifton Forge, VA

Clifton Forge is a charming city located in Virginia's Alleghany County. Known for its historical significance and picturesque landscapes, it offers a unique blend of small-town charm and natural beauty. The town is a hub for local culture and community activities, making it a welcoming place for both residents and visitors.

Location & geography

Clifton Forge is situated in the western part of Virginia, surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. It is approximately 25 miles from the larger town of Covington and 35 miles from the city of Lexington, making it accessible yet distinctly remote. The city covers a total land area of 79.52 square miles, with a small water area of 0.54 square miles contributing to its scenic environment.

Community & economy

Clifton Forge is known for its close-knit community that values both tradition and innovation. The local economy has historically been anchored by industries such as railroads and manufacturing, although today, tourism and small businesses play a significant role. Daily life in Clifton Forge revolves around local events, outdoor activities, and a strong sense of civic pride.

Transportation

Major highways such as U.S. Route 220 and U.S. Route 60 provide convenient access to and from Clifton Forge. The nearest major airport is the Greenbrier Valley Airport, located about 40 miles away in West Virginia. Public transit options are limited, but local roads are well-maintained for those traveling by car.

History

Clifton Forge was founded in the mid-19th century, originally serving as a key railroad town. Its growth was significantly influenced by the railroad industry, which brought both commerce and travelers to the area. Notable events include its incorporation as a town in 1884 and the continued preservation of its historical landmarks.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Clifton Forge is that it is home to the historic Clifton Forge Railroad Museum, which highlights the town's rich railroading heritage. Additionally, the city's picturesque downtown area showcases beautifully preserved architecture from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

ZIP codes for Clifton Forge, VA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24422	Clifton Forge	Alleghany	View map

Demographics & statistics

5,550

Population

46.9

Median age

$44,452

Median household income

$27,881

Per capita income

$108,700

Median home value

$536

Median monthly rent

75.2%

Home ownership

17.2%

Poverty rate

5.6%

Unemployment

2,240

Housing units

18.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

142

Under 5

135

138

5–9

130

245

10–14

231

125

15–19

118

154

20–24

145

384

25–34

364

211

35–44

199

260

45–54

246

209

55–59

197

271

60–64

256

342

65–74

323

247

75–84

233

126

85+

119

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,157	20.8%
18 and over	4,393	79.2%
65 and over	1,390	25.0%
Median age	46.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 83.8%

Black or African American 8.7%

Two or more races 4.3%

Hispanic or Latino 1.7%

Other race 1.4%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	4,732	83.8%
Black or African American	494	8.7%
Two or more races	243	4.3%
Hispanic or Latino	98	1.7%
Other race	77	1.4%
Asian	4	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 9.6%

$10k–$15k 9.9%

$15k–$25k 15.2%

$25k–$35k 9.2%

$35k–$50k 8.2%

$50k–$75k 19.8%

$75k–$100k 6.4%

$100k–$150k 15.2%

$150k–$200k 2.9%

$200k+ 3.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.6%
$10k–$15k	9.9%
$15k–$25k	15.2%
$25k–$35k	9.2%
$35k–$50k	8.2%
$50k–$75k	19.8%
$75k–$100k	6.4%
$100k–$150k	15.2%
$150k–$200k	2.9%
$200k+	3.7%
Median income	$44,452

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 16.0%

$50k–$100k 28.7%

$100k–$150k 23.6%

$150k–$200k 13.0%

$200k–$300k 8.7%

$300k–$500k 7.6%

$500k–$1M 2.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$108,700
Median rent / month	$536
Owner occupied	75.2%
Renter occupied	24.8%
Vacant	19.2%
Single-family detached	72.3%
Large apartment buildings	8.3%
Mobile homes	10.3%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.43

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.0%
2000–2009	2.2%
1990–1999	3.9%
1980–1989	12.6%
1970–1979	11.8%
1960–1969	9.2%
1950–1959	14.7%
1940–1949	9.9%
1939 or earlier	33.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.9%
1 bedroom	13.7%
2 bedrooms	29.7%
3 bedrooms	37.4%
4 bedrooms	15.1%
5+ bedrooms	2.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.2%
1 vehicle	41.1%
2 vehicles	21.6%
3 or more	26.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	24.8%
Electricity	57.0%
Propane / LP gas	6.1%
Fuel oil	5.9%
Wood	3.8%
No fuel used	1.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	929	41.1%
Cohabiting couple	47	2.1%
Male householder, no spouse	465	20.5%
Female householder, no spouse	822	36.3%
Households with children under 18	533	23.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,061	46.9%
Average household size	2.37

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.7%	24.0%
Married	45.1%	40.6%
Separated	1.8%	1.1%
Widowed	6.1%	16.3%
Divorced	8.3%	18.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.0%

Some HS, no diploma 9.4%

HS graduate 44.2%

Some college, no degree 17.4%

Associate's degree 8.0%

Bachelor's degree 9.5%

Graduate / professional 8.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	87.6%
Bachelor's or higher	18.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	13	1.2%
Kindergarten	110	9.9%
Elementary school	609	55.0%
High school	202	18.2%
College / grad school	173	15.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 34.8%

Manufacturing 16.3%

Transportation & utilities 10.7%

Construction 8.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.4%

Retail trade 6.4%

Professional & management 3.7%

Finance & real estate 3.6%

Public administration 3.5%

Other services 2.1%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Agriculture & mining 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	42.4%
Service	19.3%
Sales & office	13.0%
Natural resources & construction	9.3%
Production & transportation	16.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.6%
Government	20.1%
Self-employed	5.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	90.9%
Carpool	4.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.7%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.8

Poverty

All people 17.2%

Under 18 years 20.9%

18 and over 16.1%

Married-couple families 8.7%

Female-led households 29.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	50.3%
Retirement income	33.2%
Supplemental Security	7.1%
Cash public assistance	3.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	44.0%
High cholesterol	37.4%
Heart disease	9.9%
Stroke	5.1%
Asthma	10.4%
Arthritis	35.5%
Kidney disease	4.3%
Pulmonary disease	11.7%
Cancer	8.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.4%
No physical activity	31.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.3%
Fair or poor health	22.4%
Poor mental health	15.1%
Poor physical health	14.4%
No health insurance	14.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.3%
Visited dentist	58.9%
Cholesterol screening	90.6%
Teeth loss	18.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	389	8.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.9%
Under 18	19.4%
18–64 years	15.0%
65 and over	36.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	54.9%
Public insurance	49.8%
Uninsured under 19	5.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	5,273	95.0%
Spanish	12	0.2%
Other Indo-European	12	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,471	98.6%
Born in same state	5,415	97.6%
Born in different state	4,550	82.0%
Foreign born	56	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	79	1.4%
Not a US citizen	34	43.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	702	12.6%
Italian	580	10.5%
French	495	8.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	23	0.4%
German	21	0.4%
Polish	8	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.8%
Internet access	84.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Clifton Forge, VA have?

Clifton Forge, VA has one ZIP code: 24422. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.