Rural Retreat ZIP Codes — Wythe County, VA

There is one unique ZIP code in Rural Retreat, Virginia and it is 24368. Area code: 276.

ZIP codes

86.64

sq mi land

0.20

sq mi water

276

area code

Rural Retreat, VA ZIP code map

About Rural Retreat, VA

Rural Retreat, Virginia, is a small, charming town located in Wythe County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and close-knit community, it offers a tranquil lifestyle and a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. The town's rich history and rural setting make it an appealing destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Location & geography

Rural Retreat is situated in the southwestern part of Virginia, surrounded by the rolling hills of Wythe County. Nearby cities include Wytheville, approximately 16 miles to the northwest, Marion, around 27 miles to the south, and Galax, about 30 miles to the east. The town covers a land area of 86.64 square miles and features a small water area of 0.20 square miles, providing a blend of lush landscapes and waterways.

Community & economy

The character of Rural Retreat is defined by its friendly and welcoming community, where neighbors often gather for local events and outdoor activities. The town has a diverse economic base, with industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and small businesses contributing to its livelihood. Daily life in Rural Retreat is characterized by a slower pace, allowing residents to appreciate the natural beauty and strong community ties.

Transportation

Rural Retreat is conveniently accessible via U.S. Route 11, which runs north to south, and Interstate 81, located nearby for broader travel options. The nearest named airport is the Rwytheville-Wythe County Airport, approximately 18 miles away, providing regional air travel services. Public transport options may be limited, so personal vehicles are the primary means of commuting.

History

Rural Retreat was founded in the 19th century and has maintained its historical charm through the years. It initially developed as a railroad town, facilitating the growth of local industries and commerce, and has witnessed various significant events over its history. The town's longstanding agricultural roots continue to shape its identity today.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Rural Retreat is that it is home to the Rural Retreat Depot, which is a historic landmark that once served as a crucial stop on the railroad. Additionally, the town hosts an annual festival celebrating its rich history and community spirit.

ZIP codes for Rural Retreat, VA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24368	Rural Retreat	Wythe	View map

Demographics & statistics

5,079

Population

39.5

Median age

$64,000

Median household income

$30,014

Per capita income

$151,000

Median home value

$749

Median monthly rent

86.2%

Home ownership

15.5%

Poverty rate

6.4%

Unemployment

1,964

Housing units

20.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

203

Under 5

216

155

5–9

166

174

10–14

185

181

15–19

194

173

20–24

184

195

25–34

208

400

35–44

427

342

45–54

365

131

55–59

139

141

60–64

150

216

65–74

231

109

75–84

116

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,308	25.8%
18 and over	3,771	74.2%
65 and over	750	14.8%
Median age	39.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.5%

Two or more races 4.6%

Hispanic or Latino 2.3%

Black or African American 0.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	4,807	92.5%
Two or more races	239	4.6%
Hispanic or Latino	120	2.3%
Black or African American	19	0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	14	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 3.9%

$10k–$15k 2.7%

$15k–$25k 11.5%

$25k–$35k 7.2%

$35k–$50k 13.6%

$50k–$75k 19.8%

$75k–$100k 12.4%

$100k–$150k 18.1%

$150k–$200k 4.3%

$200k+ 6.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.9%
$10k–$15k	2.7%
$15k–$25k	11.5%
$25k–$35k	7.2%
$35k–$50k	13.6%
$50k–$75k	19.8%
$75k–$100k	12.4%
$100k–$150k	18.1%
$150k–$200k	4.3%
$200k+	6.5%
Median income	$64,000

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.8%

$50k–$100k 20.4%

$100k–$150k 19.2%

$150k–$200k 19.8%

$200k–$300k 14.7%

$300k–$500k 9.9%

$500k–$1M 5.9%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$151,000
Median rent / month	$749
Owner occupied	86.2%
Renter occupied	13.8%
Vacant	14.1%
Single-family detached	69.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	26.4%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.70

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	9.3%
2000–2009	15.1%
1990–1999	15.3%
1980–1989	13.0%
1970–1979	17.3%
1960–1969	5.5%
1950–1959	5.5%
1940–1949	3.0%
1939 or earlier	15.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	3.8%
2 bedrooms	18.5%
3 bedrooms	56.9%
4 bedrooms	15.7%
5+ bedrooms	5.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.3%
1 vehicle	27.9%
2 vehicles	36.3%
3 or more	32.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.8%
Electricity	70.1%
Propane / LP gas	4.3%
Fuel oil	11.0%
Wood	10.4%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,003	52.5%
Cohabiting couple	156	8.2%
Male householder, no spouse	287	15.0%
Female householder, no spouse	466	24.4%
Households with children under 18	728	38.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	547	28.6%
Average household size	2.66

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.2%	26.7%
Married	52.9%	49.4%
Separated	5.5%	1.0%
Widowed	2.5%	9.2%
Divorced	7.9%	13.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.5%

Some HS, no diploma 6.2%

HS graduate 30.7%

Some college, no degree 25.6%

Associate's degree 15.0%

Bachelor's degree 12.9%

Graduate / professional 8.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.3%
Bachelor's or higher	20.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	157	12.4%
Kindergarten	91	7.2%
Elementary school	486	38.4%
High school	274	21.7%
College / grad school	257	20.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.0%

Manufacturing 21.2%

Retail trade 12.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.4%

Public administration 7.0%

Finance & real estate 6.5%

Construction 5.2%

Professional & management 5.1%

Other services 4.8%

Agriculture & mining 3.3%

Wholesale trade 2.8%

Transportation & utilities 0.7%

Information 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	35.8%
Service	15.8%
Sales & office	20.8%
Natural resources & construction	7.8%
Production & transportation	19.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.4%
Government	19.5%
Self-employed	5.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	89.5%
Carpool	3.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.8%
Other means	1.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.0

Poverty

All people 15.5%

Under 18 years 27.0%

18 and over 11.6%

Married-couple families 6.8%

Female-led households 23.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.3%
Retirement income	30.0%
Supplemental Security	1.2%
Cash public assistance	1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.6%
High cholesterol	35.4%
Heart disease	7.2%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.7%
Arthritis	30.1%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	8.5%
Cancer	7.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.6%
No physical activity	24.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.1%
Fair or poor health	16.6%
Poor mental health	14.7%
Poor physical health	11.3%
No health insurance	12.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.0%
Visited dentist	66.0%
Cholesterol screening	89.9%
Teeth loss	13.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	258	6.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.1%
Under 18	2.6%
18–64 years	17.8%
65 and over	32.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.8%
Public insurance	40.6%
Uninsured under 19	4.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,660	91.8%
Spanish	31	0.7%
Other Indo-European	24	0.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,072	99.9%
Born in same state	5,051	99.4%
Born in different state	3,500	68.9%
Foreign born	21	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	7	0.1%
Not a US citizen	7	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,417	27.9%
French	658	13%
Italian	512	10.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	50	1%
English	32	0.6%
Norwegian	4	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.6%
Internet access	94.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Rural Retreat, VA have?

Rural Retreat, VA has one ZIP code: 24368. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.