Reader ZIP Codes — Wetzel County, WV

There is one unique ZIP code in Reader, West Virginia and it is 26167. Area code: 304/681.

ZIP codes

33.39

sq mi land

0.13

sq mi water

304/681

area code

Reader, WV ZIP code map

About Reader, WV

Reader is a small town nestled in Wetzel County, West Virginia, characterized by its close-knit community and scenic landscapes. The town offers a tranquil environment that serves as a retreat from the busyness of urban life, making it a charming spot for residents and visitors alike. With 33.39 square miles of land and a rich local history, Reader is truly a quaint West Virginia locale.

Location & geography

Reader is situated within Wetzel County, in the northern part of West Virginia, surrounded by lush hills and forests. The town is close to several neighboring cities, including New Martinsville, which is approximately 14 miles to the southeast, and Moundsville, about 23 miles to the northeast. The total area includes 33.39 square miles of land and a small water area of 0.13 square miles, offering a mix of natural beauty and rural charm.

Community & economy

Reader stands out for its strong sense of community and friendly atmosphere, where neighbors often know each other by name. The local economy traditionally revolves around agriculture, with families engaging in farming and related industries, alongside some small local businesses catering to residents. Daily life in Reader is peaceful, with residents enjoying outdoor activities and local events that foster community spirit.

Transportation

Transportation in Reader is primarily facilitated through local roads and nearby highways, including West Virginia Route 2, which provides access to larger cities and towns in the region. The nearest airport is the North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB), located about 40 miles to the south, offering regional flights for residents and visitors. Public transit options are limited, so personal vehicles are the main mode of transportation.

History

Reader was established in the late 19th century, rooted in the timber and agriculture industries that shaped the region. The town has seen various developments over the years, contributing to the overall growth of Wetzel County. Notable events in Reader's history include community gatherings and local festivals, which celebrate its heritage and tight-knit atmosphere.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Reader is that it maintains a small-town charm despite being located near more urbanized areas of West Virginia. Additionally, the town serves as a gateway to various outdoor activities, with access to hiking trails and the serene landscapes characteristic of the Appalachian region.

ZIP codes for Reader, WV (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
26167	Reader	Wetzel	View map

Demographics & statistics

572

Population

58.0

Median age

$40,625

Median household income

$24,564

Per capita income

$114,900

Median home value

Median monthly rent

92.7%

Home ownership

12.9%

Poverty rate

5.0%

Unemployment

381

Housing units

0.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	55	9.6%
18 and over	517	90.4%
65 and over	239	41.8%
Median age	58.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 100%

Group	Count	%
White	572	100%

Household income

Under $10k 2.9%

$10k–$15k 7.7%

$15k–$25k 12.1%

$25k–$35k 19.5%

$35k–$50k 36.7%

$50k–$75k 8.9%

$75k–$100k 3.2%

$100k–$150k 3.8%

$150k–$200k 5.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.9%
$10k–$15k	7.7%
$15k–$25k	12.1%
$25k–$35k	19.5%
$35k–$50k	36.7%
$50k–$75k	8.9%
$75k–$100k	3.2%
$100k–$150k	3.8%
$150k–$200k	5.1%
Median income	$40,625

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 27.6%

$50k–$100k 8.6%

$100k–$150k 28.3%

$150k–$200k 5.5%

$200k–$300k 23.1%

$300k–$500k 6.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$114,900
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	92.7%
Renter occupied	7.3%
Vacant	22.5%
Single-family detached	70.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	30.0%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	1.89

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.0%
2000–2009	3.0%
1990–1999	5.4%
1980–1989	7.2%
1970–1979	35.1%
1960–1969	0.0%
1950–1959	15.1%
1940–1949	2.5%
1939 or earlier	31.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	20.0%
2 bedrooms	29.5%
3 bedrooms	43.1%
4 bedrooms	7.4%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.3%
1 vehicle	40.6%
2 vehicles	29.7%
3 or more	22.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	81.2%
Electricity	4.5%
Propane / LP gas	5.8%
Wood	8.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	183	58.5%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	43	13.7%
Female householder, no spouse	87	27.8%
Households with children under 18	28	8.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	177	56.5%
Average household size	1.83

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.0%	4.8%
Married	62.2%	63.1%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	0.0%	32.1%
Divorced	10.7%	0.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 10.9%

HS graduate 64.5%

Some college, no degree 24.6%

Associate's degree 0.0%

Bachelor's degree 0.0%

Graduate / professional 0.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.1%
Bachelor's or higher	0.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	31	40.8%
High school	24	31.6%
College / grad school	21	27.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Construction 33.1%

Transportation & utilities 24.5%

Public administration 18.5%

Education & healthcare 8.6%

Retail trade 7.9%

Finance & real estate 4.0%

Professional & management 3.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	21.9%
Service	3.3%
Sales & office	41.7%
Natural resources & construction	0.0%
Production & transportation	33.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.5%
Government	18.5%
Self-employed	0.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	58.9%
Carpool	25.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	58.3

Poverty

All people 12.9%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 13.9%

Married-couple families 13.1%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	75.1%
Retirement income	54.3%
Supplemental Security	1.3%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.7%
High cholesterol	36.9%
Heart disease	9.2%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	11.6%
Arthritis	36.5%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	12.9%
Cancer	7.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.1%
No physical activity	33.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	38.7%
Fair or poor health	24.1%
Poor mental health	18.9%
Poor physical health	16.1%
No health insurance	12.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	81.0%
Visited dentist	50.8%
Cholesterol screening	88.6%
Teeth loss	24.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	14	2.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	28.8%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	26.6%
65 and over	38.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.3%
Public insurance	57.3%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	572	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)	572	100.0%
Born in same state	572	100.0%
Born in different state	537	93.9%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	65	11.4%
French	20	3.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	19	3.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	54.7%
Internet access	75.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Reader, WV have?

Reader, WV has one ZIP code: 26167. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.