Lester ZIP Codes — Raleigh County, WV

There is one unique ZIP code in Lester, West Virginia and it is 25865. Area code: 304.

ZIP codes

30.46

sq mi land

0.09

sq mi water

304

area code

Lester, WV ZIP code map

About Lester, WV

Lester is a quaint community located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Known for its serene environment and close-knit atmosphere, it offers a unique blend of rural charm and natural beauty. The area features landscapes that are characteristic of the Appalachian region, making it an inviting place for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Lester is situated in the southeastern part of West Virginia, surrounded by the picturesque Appalachian Mountains. It is approximately 10 miles from the bustling town of Beckley and about 15 miles from the scenic New River Gorge. The total area of Lester is composed of 30.46 square miles of land and 0.09 square miles of water, providing a mix of diverse terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Lester reflects the warm and welcoming nature of its residents, who take pride in their community. The local economy is primarily centered around small businesses and the surrounding natural resources, with opportunities in industries such as timber and agriculture. Daily life in Lester includes a strong emphasis on outdoor activities, family gatherings, and local events that foster community spirit.

Transportation

Lester is accessible via several highways, including West Virginia Route 3, which connects residents to larger regional hubs. The nearest major airport is Raleigh County Memorial Airport, located approximately 12 miles away in Beaver, providing convenient flight options for travelers. Public transit options are limited, emphasizing the area's rural charm.

History

The founding of Lester dates back to the early 20th century, evolving over time into a small yet significant community within Raleigh County. Historically, the area has been involved in various industries, particularly coal mining and timber, which shaped its development. Notable events include the growth spurts associated with the surrounding coal boom, which influenced both the economy and population dynamics in the region.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Lester is that despite its small size, it possesses a rich cultural heritage linked to the Appalachian way of life. Additionally, the nearby New River Gorge offers opportunities for adventurous activities such as whitewater rafting and rock climbing, attracting visitors to the region.

ZIP codes for Lester, WV (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
25865	Lester	Raleigh	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,372

Population

62.5

Median age

$37,422

Median household income

$24,168

Per capita income

$159,000

Median home value

$575

Median monthly rent

89.9%

Home ownership

33.1%

Poverty rate

2.4%

Unemployment

699

Housing units

11.1%

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

116

60–64

111

152

65–74

146

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	232	16.9%
18 and over	1,140	83.1%
65 and over	472	34.4%
Median age	62.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.4%

Two or more races 3.7%

Black or African American 1.7%

Hispanic or Latino 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,297	94.4%
Two or more races	51	3.7%
Black or African American	24	1.7%
Hispanic or Latino	2	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 17.6%

$10k–$15k 9.8%

$15k–$25k 4.6%

$25k–$35k 10.4%

$35k–$50k 16.3%

$50k–$75k 21.0%

$75k–$100k 9.0%

$100k–$150k 4.2%

$150k–$200k 7.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	17.6%
$10k–$15k	9.8%
$15k–$25k	4.6%
$25k–$35k	10.4%
$35k–$50k	16.3%
$50k–$75k	21.0%
$75k–$100k	9.0%
$100k–$150k	4.2%
$150k–$200k	7.0%
Median income	$37,422

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.9%

$50k–$100k 16.5%

$100k–$150k 14.3%

$150k–$200k 26.0%

$200k–$300k 32.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$159,000
Median rent / month	$575
Owner occupied	89.9%
Renter occupied	10.1%
Vacant	19.4%
Single-family detached	75.3%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	24.7%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.30

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	7.1%
2000–2009	20.8%
1990–1999	18.7%
1980–1989	17.1%
1970–1979	19.8%
1960–1969	2.4%
1950–1959	1.2%
1940–1949	11.3%
1939 or earlier	1.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	0.0%
2 bedrooms	31.1%
3 bedrooms	46.6%
4 bedrooms	18.3%
5+ bedrooms	3.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.4%
1 vehicle	18.4%
2 vehicles	36.2%
3 or more	41.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	14.0%
Electricity	85.2%
Propane / LP gas	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	404	65.9%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	106	17.3%
Female householder, no spouse	103	16.8%
Households with children under 18	177	28.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	297	48.5%
Average household size	2.24

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	19.4%	11.1%
Married	74.1%	78.9%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	1.7%	3.4%
Divorced	4.7%	6.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.9%

Some HS, no diploma 9.1%

HS graduate 65.6%

Some college, no degree 2.7%

Associate's degree 6.6%

Bachelor's degree 8.3%

Graduate / professional 2.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	86.0%
Bachelor's or higher	11.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	10	8.0%
Kindergarten	25	20.0%
Elementary school	59	47.2%
High school	28	22.4%
College / grad school	3	2.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.7%

Construction 26.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 14.0%

Professional & management 11.5%

Agriculture & mining 11.2%

Retail trade 4.0%

Wholesale trade 2.5%

Transportation & utilities 2.2%

Finance & real estate 1.0%

Public administration 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	29.7%
Service	25.4%
Sales & office	2.7%
Natural resources & construction	30.7%
Production & transportation	11.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.8%
Government	17.0%
Self-employed	0.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.8%
Carpool	3.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	30.5

Poverty

All people 33.1%

Under 18 years 41.8%

18 and over 31.3%

Married-couple families 28.0%

Female-led households 56.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	58.4%
Retirement income	43.1%
Supplemental Security	4.1%
Cash public assistance	3.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	46.4%
High cholesterol	40.5%
Heart disease	9.1%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	11.8%
Arthritis	37.1%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	12.7%
Cancer	7.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	11.4%
No physical activity	31.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	42.9%
Fair or poor health	23.5%
Poor mental health	18.9%
Poor physical health	15.9%
No health insurance	11.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.1%
Visited dentist	54.3%
Cholesterol screening	89.2%
Teeth loss	24.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	66	5.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.2%
Under 18	5.2%
18–64 years	18.3%
65 and over	30.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	74.0%
Public insurance	65.4%
Uninsured under 19	3.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,342	97.8%
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)	1,372	100.0%
Born in same state	1,372	100.0%
Born in different state	1,311	95.6%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	690	50.3%
Italian	308	22.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	3	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.7%
Internet access	92.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Lester, WV have?

Lester, WV has one ZIP code: 25865. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.