Tunnelton ZIP Codes — Preston County, WV

There is one unique ZIP code in Tunnelton, West Virginia and it is 26444. Area code: 304.

ZIP codes

63.14

sq mi land

0.05

sq mi water

304

area code

Tunnelton, WV ZIP code map

About Tunnelton, WV

Tunnelton is a small town located in Preston County, West Virginia. Known for its serene atmosphere and close-knit community, it offers a glimpse into small-town life in the Appalachian region. The town is characterized by its scenic landscapes and a rich history that reflects the development of coal and agriculture in the area.

Location & geography

Tunnelton is situated in north-central West Virginia and features a land area of 63.14 square miles, with a water area of 0.05 square miles. It is bordered by a number of small communities and is approximately 15 miles from the larger town of Kingwood, 23 miles from Morgantown, and 39 miles from Fairmont. The terrain is hilly and wooded, typical of the West Virginia landscape, making it a picturesque location.

Community & economy

The community in Tunnelton is characterized by a welcoming spirit and a strong sense of local pride. Many residents are involved in industries such as agriculture, small manufacturing, and services that cater to the local population. Daily life in Tunnelton includes enjoying outdoor activities in the area's natural beauty, participating in local events, and supporting small businesses.

Transportation

Tunnelton is accessible via several local roads, with West Virginia Route 26 running through the town, connecting it to larger highways and nearby towns. The nearest major airport is Morgantown Municipal Airport, which is about 27 miles away. Public transportation options may be limited, but residents typically rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Tunnelton was founded during the late 1800s, primarily as a coal mining town, which significantly influenced its growth and development. The town has historical roots tied to the coal industry, which was the mainstay of the local economy for many years. Notable events include the establishment of the railroad, which connected Tunnelton to regional trade and industry.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Tunnelton is that it was named after a tunnel that was built in the area for the railroad during the 19th century. This blend of engineering and natural beauty has made it a point of interest for history enthusiasts and tourists alike.

ZIP codes for Tunnelton, WV (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
26444	Tunnelton	Preston	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,501

Population

46.3

Median age

$51,940

Median household income

$28,434

Per capita income

$97,500

Median home value

$786

Median monthly rent

88.0%

Home ownership

11.7%

Poverty rate

5.9%

Unemployment

1,566

Housing units

10.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

134

5–9

130

131

10–14

128

103

15–19

101

20–24

178

25–34

173

192

35–44

187

256

45–54

250

156

55–59

152

60–64

293

65–74

285

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	738	21.1%
18 and over	2,763	78.9%
65 and over	889	25.4%
Median age	46.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.2%

Two or more races 2.5%

Black or African American 1%

Hispanic or Latino 0.1%

Other race 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	3,373	96.2%
Two or more races	89	2.5%
Black or African American	35	1%
Hispanic or Latino	4	0.1%
Other race	4	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 8.4%

$10k–$15k 4.6%

$15k–$25k 11.7%

$25k–$35k 7.8%

$35k–$50k 14.3%

$50k–$75k 23.1%

$75k–$100k 7.9%

$100k–$150k 14.0%

$150k–$200k 6.0%

$200k+ 2.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.4%
$10k–$15k	4.6%
$15k–$25k	11.7%
$25k–$35k	7.8%
$35k–$50k	14.3%
$50k–$75k	23.1%
$75k–$100k	7.9%
$100k–$150k	14.0%
$150k–$200k	6.0%
$200k+	2.2%
Median income	$51,940

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 26.4%

$50k–$100k 24.2%

$100k–$150k 18.3%

$150k–$200k 16.5%

$200k–$300k 7.9%

$300k–$500k 1.8%

$500k–$1M 4.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$97,500
Median rent / month	$786
Owner occupied	88.0%
Renter occupied	12.0%
Vacant	19.5%
Single-family detached	73.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	26.8%
Median rooms	6.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.64

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.5%
2010–2019	12.2%
2000–2009	10.1%
1990–1999	17.5%
1980–1989	15.5%
1970–1979	19.0%
1960–1969	4.7%
1950–1959	4.3%
1940–1949	1.5%
1939 or earlier	14.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.5%
1 bedroom	4.1%
2 bedrooms	10.9%
3 bedrooms	68.6%
4 bedrooms	15.1%
5+ bedrooms	0.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	13.3%
1 vehicle	26.1%
2 vehicles	34.4%
3 or more	26.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	14.3%
Electricity	25.3%
Propane / LP gas	13.5%
Fuel oil	20.4%
Wood	15.5%
No fuel used	1.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	614	44.0%
Cohabiting couple	119	8.5%
Male householder, no spouse	182	13.0%
Female householder, no spouse	481	34.5%
Households with children under 18	360	25.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	739	52.9%
Average household size	2.51

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.9%	12.0%
Married	53.1%	50.2%
Separated	2.2%	0.3%
Widowed	5.5%	31.2%
Divorced	13.2%	6.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 11.8%

Some HS, no diploma 10.2%

HS graduate 47.6%

Some college, no degree 15.1%

Associate's degree 5.2%

Bachelor's degree 6.9%

Graduate / professional 3.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	78.0%
Bachelor's or higher	10.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	34	4.4%
Kindergarten	38	4.9%
Elementary school	440	56.3%
High school	150	19.2%
College / grad school	119	15.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 34.6%

Retail trade 14.2%

Agriculture & mining 9.5%

Construction 8.9%

Other services 6.8%

Professional & management 5.6%

Transportation & utilities 4.9%

Public administration 4.7%

Wholesale trade 4.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.3%

Manufacturing 2.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	15.6%
Service	31.4%
Sales & office	16.5%
Natural resources & construction	20.1%
Production & transportation	16.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	84.4%
Government	11.7%
Self-employed	3.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	67.9%
Carpool	22.1%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	0.9%
Other means	0.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	45.2

Poverty

All people 11.7%

Under 18 years 6.6%

18 and over 12.9%

Married-couple families 8.5%

Female-led households 6.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	54.6%
Retirement income	26.8%
Supplemental Security	5.6%
Cash public assistance	5.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	27.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.3%
High cholesterol	35.7%
Heart disease	8.7%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	11.5%
Arthritis	36.6%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	11.7%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.5%
No physical activity	29.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	38.0%
Fair or poor health	21.3%
Poor mental health	18.4%
Poor physical health	14.7%
No health insurance	11.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	82.5%
Visited dentist	54.7%
Cholesterol screening	89.6%
Teeth loss	21.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	205	7.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.9%
Under 18	1.4%
18–64 years	14.5%
65 and over	46.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.4%
Public insurance	49.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,396	97.0%
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)	3,500	100.0%
Born in same state	3,500	100.0%
Born in different state	3,003	85.8%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	1	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,149	32.8%
Italian	666	19%
French	167	4.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	40	1.1%
English	12	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.9%
Internet access	83.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Tunnelton, WV have?

Tunnelton, WV has one ZIP code: 26444. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.