Princeton ZIP Codes — Mercer County, WV

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Princeton, West Virginia. Area code: 681/304.

ZIP codes

156.05

sq mi land

0.44

sq mi water

681/304

area code

Princeton, WV ZIP code map

About Princeton, WV

Princeton is a charming city located in West Virginia, specifically within Mercer County. Known for its scenic beauty and friendly atmosphere, Princeton offers both residents and visitors a unique blend of small-town charm and convenient access to various amenities. With a rich history and an inviting community, it serves as a focal point for those traveling through the region.

Location & geography

Geographically, Princeton is positioned in the southern part of West Virginia and serves as a significant hub in Mercer County. Nearby cities include Bluefield, located approximately 12 miles to the southeast, and Welch, roughly 25 miles to the southwest. The city covers a land area of 156.05 square miles, with a small water area of 0.44 square miles, showcasing a mix of rolling hills and lush landscapes.

Community & economy

Princeton's community is characterized by its warm and welcoming residents, many of whom are involved in local events and activities that foster a strong sense of belonging. The economy is diverse, with industries ranging from retail to manufacturing, contributing to a balanced daily life for its citizens. This thriving community enjoys numerous local festivals, parks, and recreational opportunities, enhancing the quality of life in Princeton.

Transportation

Transportation in Princeton is accessible, with major highways including U.S. Route 460 and West Virginia Route 20 facilitating travel to and from the city. The nearest airport is the Mercer County Airport, which serves general aviation traffic. Public transit options may be limited, but the city's layout allows for easy navigation by car.

History

Princeton was established in the 19th century and has served an important role in the development of Mercer County. Historically, key industries in the area included coal mining and agriculture, which laid the groundwork for the city's growth. Notable events, such as the establishment of local educational institutions, have also shaped Princeton's identity.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Princeton is that it is home to the historic Princeton Railroad Museum, which showcases the region's rich railroading history. Additionally, the city features several parks and outdoor areas, making it a great destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Princeton, WV (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24739	Princeton	Mercer	View map
24740	Princeton	Mercer	View map

Demographics & statistics

29,590

Population

42.3

Median age

$47,355

Median household income

$29,243

Per capita income

$124,350

Median home value

$757

Median monthly rent

69.8%

Home ownership

19.8%

Poverty rate

3.7%

Unemployment

10,669

Housing units

21.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

790

Under 5

830

1,109

5–9

1,164

663

10–14

696

818

15–19

858

769

20–24

807

1,792

25–34

1,882

1,798

35–44

1,888

1,678

45–54

1,762

849

55–59

892

985

60–64

1,035

2,035

65–74

2,137

738

75–84

774

410

85+

431

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	6,299	21.2%
18 and over	23,291	78.8%
65 and over	6,525	21.8%
Median age	42.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.3%

Two or more races 3.6%

Black or African American 3.5%

Hispanic or Latino 1.8%

Asian 0.4%

Other race 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	27,212	90.3%
Two or more races	1,088	3.6%
Black or African American	1,064	3.5%
Hispanic or Latino	549	1.8%
Asian	116	0.4%
Other race	82	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	28	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.8%

$10k–$15k 7.5%

$15k–$25k 14.1%

$25k–$35k 13.1%

$35k–$50k 13.4%

$50k–$75k 16.0%

$75k–$100k 12.3%

$100k–$150k 12.8%

$150k–$200k 3.5%

$200k+ 3.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.8%
$10k–$15k	7.5%
$15k–$25k	14.1%
$25k–$35k	13.1%
$35k–$50k	13.4%
$50k–$75k	16.0%
$75k–$100k	12.3%
$100k–$150k	12.8%
$150k–$200k	3.5%
$200k+	3.8%
Median income	$47,355

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 22.2%

$50k–$100k 18.2%

$100k–$150k 19.0%

$150k–$200k 21.6%

$200k–$300k 14.2%

$300k–$500k 4.2%

$500k–$1M 0.6%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$124,350
Median rent / month	$757
Owner occupied	69.8%
Renter occupied	30.3%
Vacant	13.7%
Single-family detached	64.1%
Large apartment buildings	2.4%
Mobile homes	21.4%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.39

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	3.6%
2000–2009	12.6%
1990–1999	17.5%
1980–1989	15.2%
1970–1979	17.5%
1960–1969	9.4%
1950–1959	8.2%
1940–1949	4.9%
1939 or earlier	11.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.8%
1 bedroom	3.2%
2 bedrooms	28.9%
3 bedrooms	51.4%
4 bedrooms	13.4%
5+ bedrooms	2.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.4%
1 vehicle	39.8%
2 vehicles	31.6%
3 or more	22.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	18.3%
Electricity	72.1%
Propane / LP gas	4.8%
Fuel oil	1.0%
Wood	3.0%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	5,574	44.9%
Cohabiting couple	928	7.6%
Male householder, no spouse	2,000	15.8%
Female householder, no spouse	4,026	31.8%
Households with children under 18	3,332	26.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	4,664	37.0%
Average household size	2.34

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	30.6%	20.3%
Married	52.1%	46.0%
Separated	0.8%	0.8%
Widowed	4.7%	15.0%
Divorced	12.0%	18.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.5%

Some HS, no diploma 7.6%

HS graduate 39.7%

Some college, no degree 18.6%

Associate's degree 8.0%

Bachelor's degree 14.2%

Graduate / professional 7.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.0%
Bachelor's or higher	21.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	290	4.8%
Kindergarten	377	6.2%
Elementary school	2,679	43.5%
High school	1,389	22.5%
College / grad school	1,413	23.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 29.2%

Retail trade 13.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.3%

Transportation & utilities 8.0%

Manufacturing 7.9%

Professional & management 6.8%

Public administration 5.7%

Construction 4.9%

Other services 3.8%

Agriculture & mining 3.0%

Wholesale trade 3.0%

Finance & real estate 2.2%

Information 2.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.9%
Service	16.9%
Sales & office	18.4%
Natural resources & construction	11.7%
Production & transportation	19.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.1%
Government	18.0%
Self-employed	2.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	86.1%
Carpool	5.8%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	3.0%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.4

Poverty

All people 19.8%

Under 18 years 30.8%

18 and over 16.8%

Married-couple families 11.0%

Female-led households 24.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.0%
Retirement income	25.5%
Supplemental Security	9.5%
Cash public assistance	2.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	19.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	21.7%
High cholesterol	20.4%
Heart disease	4.8%
Stroke	2.2%
Asthma	6.1%
Arthritis	18.6%
Kidney disease	1.9%
Pulmonary disease	6.6%
Cancer	3.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	5.9%
No physical activity	16.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	19.7%
Fair or poor health	12.3%
Poor mental health	9.4%
Poor physical health	8.2%
No health insurance	5.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	41.6%
Visited dentist	26.7%
Cholesterol screening	44.7%
Teeth loss	10.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,977	8.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.6%
Under 18	6.0%
18–64 years	16.6%
65 and over	45.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	62.0%
Public insurance	50.1%
Uninsured under 19	3.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	27,970	94.7%
Spanish	314	1.1%
Other Indo-European	117	0.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	78	0.3%
Other languages	8	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	29,453	99.6%
Born in same state	29,348	99.2%
Born in different state	22,017	74.8%
Foreign born	105	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	137	0.5%
Not a US citizen	104	51.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	4,290	14.5%
French	2,848	9.6%
Arab	2,307	7.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	209	0.7%
Polish	159	0.5%
Irish	153	0.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.4%
Internet access	89.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Princeton, WV have?

Princeton, WV has two ZIP codes: 24739 and 24740. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.