Panther ZIP Code List — Mcdowell County, WV

There is one unique ZIP code in Panther, West Virginia and it is 24872. Area code: 304.

ZIP codes

32.98

sq mi land

0.22

sq mi water

304

area code

Panther, WV ZIP code map

About Panther, WV

Panther is a small and serene community located in Mcdowell County, West Virginia. Known for its natural beauty, the town offers a peaceful way of life amidst the Appalachian Mountains. Its rich history and close-knit community contribute to the unique character of this charming town.

Location & geography

Panther is situated in the southwestern part of West Virginia and is characterized by its hilly terrain and lush forests. The community occupies a land area of 32.98 square miles, with a small water area of 0.22 square miles. Nearby cities include Welch, which is approximately 14 miles away, Iaeger at about 10 miles, and Bramwell, roughly 18 miles distant.

Community & economy

The character of Panther is marked by its friendly residents and a strong sense of community. The town's economy historically relied on coal mining, which played a significant role in the livelihoods of its residents. Today, daily life in Panther reflects a slower pace, with local gatherings and outdoor activities being central to community bonding.

Transportation

Panther is accessible via local roads and is served by West Virginia Route 83, which connects the community to nearby towns and cities. The nearest major airport is Raleigh County Memorial Airport, located approximately 40 miles away in Beaver, WV. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transit.

History

The origins of Panther date back to the early 20th century, when it was established as a small coal mining town. The coal industry thrived for many years, shaping the community and providing jobs for local families. Notable events in Panther's history include the economic shifts experienced when the coal industry began to decline, prompting residents to adapt to new ways of living and working.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Panther is that it is home to the historic Panther State Forest, which offers outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and wildlife observation. Additionally, the community's name is derived from the local wildlife, as the region was once habitat to mountain lions, also known as panthers.

ZIP codes for Panther, WV (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24872	Panther	Mcdowell	View map

Demographics & statistics

597

Population

51.8

Median age

$31,875

Median household income

$19,968

Per capita income

Median home value

Median monthly rent

68.2%

Home ownership

27.6%

Poverty rate

13.8%

Unemployment

292

Housing units

0.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

5–9

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

124

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	20	3.4%
18 and over	577	96.6%
65 and over	199	33.3%
Median age	51.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 100%

Group	Count	%
White	597	100%

Household income

Under $10k 6.2%

$10k–$15k 14.6%

$25k–$35k 56.4%

$35k–$50k 4.7%

$50k–$75k 14.0%

$150k–$200k 4.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.2%
$10k–$15k	14.6%
$25k–$35k	56.4%
$35k–$50k	4.7%
$50k–$75k	14.0%
$150k–$200k	4.0%
Median income	$31,875

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 54.8%

$50k–$100k 25.1%

$150k–$200k 16.4%

$500k–$1M 3.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$0
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	68.2%
Renter occupied	31.8%
Vacant	18.5%
Single-family detached	66.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	33.2%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	1.91

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.0%
2000–2009	3.3%
1990–1999	25.4%
1980–1989	8.4%
1970–1979	27.4%
1960–1969	0.0%
1950–1959	0.0%
1940–1949	30.7%
1939 or earlier	4.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	8.4%
2 bedrooms	22.3%
3 bedrooms	63.5%
4 bedrooms	5.8%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.6%
1 vehicle	45.5%
2 vehicles	20.6%
3 or more	28.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	88.8%
Wood	11.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	68	21.2%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	83	25.9%
Female householder, no spouse	170	53.0%
Households with children under 18	19	5.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	178	55.5%
Average household size	1.86

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	42.9%	34.1%
Married	27.7%	22.3%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	7.8%	17.1%
Divorced	21.6%	26.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 21.9%

Some HS, no diploma 37.2%

HS graduate 37.2%

Some college, no degree 3.8%

Associate's degree 0.0%

Bachelor's degree 0.0%

Graduate / professional 0.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	40.9%
Bachelor's or higher	0.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	20	23.3%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	0	0.0%
High school	47	54.7%
College / grad school	19	22.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 32.1%

Finance & real estate 25.9%

Construction 23.5%

Manufacturing 18.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	25.9%
Service	0.0%
Sales & office	23.5%
Natural resources & construction	32.1%
Production & transportation	18.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	100.0%
Government	0.0%
Self-employed	0.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	42.0%
Carpool	58.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	0.0

Poverty

All people 27.6%

Under 18 years 100.0%

18 and over 25.1%

Married-couple families 14.7%

Female-led households 25.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	65.7%
Retirement income	10.3%
Supplemental Security	23.1%
Cash public assistance	3.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	29.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	50.1%
High cholesterol	42.0%
Heart disease	13.0%
Stroke	6.9%
Asthma	16.0%
Arthritis	44.4%
Kidney disease	5.4%
Pulmonary disease	24.5%
Cancer	6.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	10.4%
No physical activity	50.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	46.7%
Fair or poor health	44.2%
Poor mental health	26.0%
Poor physical health	27.8%
No health insurance	20.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.7%
Visited dentist	27.1%
Cholesterol screening	82.2%
Teeth loss	47.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	0	0.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	46.2%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	40.2%
65 and over	62.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	38.0%
Public insurance	70.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	597	100.0%
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)	597	100.0%
Born in same state	597	100.0%
Born in different state	552	92.5%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	134	22.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	11	1.8%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	53.8%
Internet access	90.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Panther, WV?

Panther, WV has one ZIP code: 24872.

What is the main ZIP code for Panther, WV?

The primary ZIP code for Panther, WV is 24872. The city uses area code 304 for phone service.

What county is Panther, WV in?

Panther is located in Mcdowell County, West Virginia.

How many ZIP codes are in Panther, WV?

Panther, WV has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for Panther in McDowell County, West Virginia?

Panther, West Virginia is located in ZIP code 24872, which serves this small community in McDowell County.

If I'm mailing something to a business in Panther, WV, what ZIP code should I use?

All mail destined for Panther, West Virginia should be addressed to ZIP code 24872, as this is the only ZIP code that serves this McDowell County community.