Mc Dowell ZIP Codes — Highland County, VA

There is one unique ZIP code in Mc Dowell, Virginia and it is 24458. Area code: 540.

ZIP codes

68.80

sq mi land

0.22

sq mi water

540

area code

Mc Dowell, VA ZIP code map

About Mc Dowell, VA

Mc Dowell is a small yet charming community located in Highland County, Virginia. This picturesque town is enveloped by the beauty of the Virginia landscape, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Known for its rich history and tight-knit community, Mc Dowell embodies the spirit of rural Virginia living.

Location & geography

Geographically, Mc Dowell is positioned in the scenic Highlands of Virginia, approximately 19 miles southeast of the larger town of Staunton and about 17 miles from the neighboring community of Monterey. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and lush valleys, with a slight water area spanning 0.22 square miles within its total land area of 68.80 square miles. This tranquil environment is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing, taking advantage of the natural surroundings.

Community & economy

The community of Mc Dowell is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of belonging among its residents. The town supports a mix of industries, primarily focused on agriculture and small local businesses. Daily life in Mc Dowell revolves around its community events and gatherings, which foster connections and celebrate the local culture.

Transportation

Transportation options in Mc Dowell include easy access to major highways such as U.S. Route 250, which connects residents to nearby cities and attractions. The nearest commercial airport is located approximately 30 miles away in Staunton, providing essential connectivity to wider regions. Public transit options are limited, underscoring the town's rural charm.

History

Mc Dowell was founded in the early 19th century, growing around agricultural practices and small-scale industries common to the region. The town has historical significance, particularly noted for its involvement in the Civil War, which shaped its early development and community identity. Today, remnants of its past can be seen in local architecture and historical sites.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Mc Dowell is that it is home to the beautiful Highland County Historical Museum, which showcases the rich heritage of the area. Additionally, the town is known for its stunning autumn foliage, attracting visitors who come to enjoy the vibrant colors each year.

ZIP codes for Mc Dowell, VA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24458	Mc Dowell	Highland	View map

Demographics & statistics

278

Population

61.4

Median age

$49,063

Median household income

$24,665

Per capita income

$187,500

Median home value

Median monthly rent

94.8%

Home ownership

16.2%

Poverty rate

10.5%

Unemployment

234

Housing units

18.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

10–14

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	28	10.1%
18 and over	250	89.9%
65 and over	114	41.0%
Median age	61.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91%

Two or more races 9%

Group	Count	%
White	253	91%
Two or more races	25	9%

Household income

Under $10k 2.6%

$15k–$25k 25.5%

$25k–$35k 13.7%

$35k–$50k 9.2%

$50k–$75k 38.6%

$75k–$100k 3.3%

$100k–$150k 7.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.6%
$15k–$25k	25.5%
$25k–$35k	13.7%
$35k–$50k	9.2%
$50k–$75k	38.6%
$75k–$100k	3.3%
$100k–$150k	7.2%
Median income	$49,063

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.3%

$50k–$100k 20.7%

$100k–$150k 7.6%

$150k–$200k 21.4%

$200k–$300k 15.9%

$300k–$500k 8.3%

$500k–$1M 3.4%

$1M+ 14.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$187,500
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	94.8%
Renter occupied	5.2%
Vacant	36.8%
Single-family detached	76.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	16.9%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	1.75

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.1%
2000–2009	16.9%
1990–1999	11.2%
1980–1989	4.5%
1970–1979	16.1%
1960–1969	16.5%
1950–1959	1.2%
1940–1949	5.8%
1939 or earlier	25.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	2.5%
2 bedrooms	41.7%
3 bedrooms	27.7%
4 bedrooms	28.1%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	19.6%
1 vehicle	15.0%
2 vehicles	18.3%
3 or more	47.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	4.6%
Electricity	23.5%
Propane / LP gas	20.9%
Fuel oil	19.6%
Wood	29.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	94	61.4%
Cohabiting couple	7	4.6%
Male householder, no spouse	10	6.5%
Female householder, no spouse	42	27.5%
Households with children under 18	20	13.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	84	54.9%
Average household size	1.82

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	6.1%	7.4%
Married	79.1%	63.7%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	2.6%	15.6%
Divorced	12.2%	13.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.8%

Some HS, no diploma 4.8%

HS graduate 45.6%

Some college, no degree 18.8%

Associate's degree 5.6%

Bachelor's degree 12.4%

Graduate / professional 6.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.4%
Bachelor's or higher	18.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	15	60.0%
High school	5	20.0%
College / grad school	5	20.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 29.4%

Construction 29.4%

Retail trade 11.8%

Transportation & utilities 11.8%

Education & healthcare 8.2%

Manufacturing 5.9%

Public administration 3.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	43.5%
Service	0.0%
Sales & office	15.3%
Natural resources & construction	29.4%
Production & transportation	11.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	29.4%
Government	31.8%
Self-employed	38.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	91.8%
Carpool	5.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.4%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	30.6

Poverty

All people 16.2%

Under 18 years 28.6%

18 and over 14.8%

Married-couple families 13.8%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	65.4%
Retirement income	32.7%
Supplemental Security	3.3%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	0.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	42.0%
High cholesterol	40.0%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	4.0%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	34.6%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	9.5%
Cancer	9.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.7%
No physical activity	25.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.7%
Fair or poor health	17.2%
Poor mental health	12.8%
Poor physical health	12.1%
No health insurance	11.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.4%
Visited dentist	68.0%
Cholesterol screening	93.5%
Teeth loss	13.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	9	3.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.0%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	14.7%
65 and over	26.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	57.2%
Public insurance	52.9%
Uninsured under 19	28.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	270	97.1%
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)	278	100.0%
Born in same state	278	100.0%
Born in different state	245	88.1%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	47	16.9%
French	27	9.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	23	8.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	55.0%
Internet access	54.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Mc Dowell, VA have?

Mc Dowell, VA has one ZIP code: 24458. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.