War ZIP Codes — Mcdowell County, WV

There is one unique ZIP code in War, West Virginia and it is 24892. Area code: 681/304.
1
ZIP codes
38.03
sq mi land
0.13
sq mi water
681/304
area code
War, WV ZIP code map

About War, WV

War is a small city located in Mcdowell County, West Virginia. This quaint community is known for its rich history and scenic landscapes, providing a glimpse into the heritage of the region. The city is primarily residential, featuring a close-knit atmosphere and a unique Appalachian culture.

Location & geography

War is situated in the southern part of West Virginia, roughly 10 miles southwest of the town of Welch and about 25 miles from Bluefield, one of the larger cities in the region. The city covers a total land area of 38.03 square miles, with a small water area of 0.13 square miles. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and lush forests, typical of the Appalachian Mountains.

Community & economy

The community of War is known for its strong sense of togetherness and a slower pace of life, where neighbors often know each other well. Local industries have historically included coal mining, which has played a significant role in shaping the town's economy. Daily life revolves around community events, family gatherings, and appreciation of the natural beauty surrounding the area.

Transportation

Transportation in War is primarily facilitated by U.S. Highway 52, making it easier for residents to access neighboring towns and cities. The nearest major airports are located in Bluefield and Beckley, providing regional connectivity. Public transit options may be limited, but residents often rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

War was established during the height of coal mining in the early 20th century, marking its significance in the Appalachian coalfields. The city’s economy has historically revolved around the coal industry, which brought numerous families to the area for work opportunities. Notable events in War's history include the community's resilience during economic downturns and its rich cultural heritage influenced by Appalachian traditions.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about War is that it was named after the War family, who played a significant role in the city's founding and early development. Additionally, despite its small size, War has a unique blend of cultural influences, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its residents.

ZIP codes for War, WV (1)
ZIP code City County Map
24892 War Mcdowell View map

Demographics & statistics

1,447
Population
33.6
Median age
$27,455
Median household income
$14,190
Per capita income
$38,500
Median home value
$691
Median monthly rent
55.9%
Home ownership
45.4%
Poverty rate
25.8%
Unemployment
514
Housing units
7.8%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
103
Under 5
114
94
5–9
105
7
10–14
7
27
15–19
31
25
20–24
27
100
25–34
110
100
35–44
110
57
45–54
63
12
55–59
13
44
60–64
49
83
65–74
92
29
75–84
33
6
85+
6
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1848433.4%
18 and over96366.6%
65 and over24917.2%
Median age33.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 99%
Black or African American 1%
GroupCount%
White1,43299%
Black or African American151%

Household income

Under $10k 20.9%
$10k–$15k 14.8%
$15k–$25k 8.6%
$25k–$35k 25.3%
$35k–$50k 7.1%
$50k–$75k 6.5%
$75k–$100k 8.6%
$100k–$150k 7.7%
$200k+ 0.6%
Range% of households
Under $10k20.9%
$10k–$15k14.8%
$15k–$25k8.6%
$25k–$35k25.3%
$35k–$50k7.1%
$50k–$75k6.5%
$75k–$100k8.6%
$100k–$150k7.7%
$200k+0.6%
Median income$27,455

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 51.9%
$50k–$100k 45.9%
$500k–$1M 2.2%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$38,500
Median rent / month$691
Owner occupied55.9%
Renter occupied44.1%
Vacant33.9%
Single-family detached67.4%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes21.9%
Median rooms5.7
Avg household size (owned)2.28

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.0%
2000–20091.2%
1990–199913.7%
1980–198917.0%
1970–19797.9%
1960–19696.3%
1950–195910.2%
1940–19494.6%
1939 or earlier39.2%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)1.2%
1 bedroom4.7%
2 bedrooms42.3%
3 bedrooms34.5%
4 bedrooms16.4%
5+ bedrooms0.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle22.5%
1 vehicle35.7%
2 vehicles31.1%
3 or more10.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Electricity67.4%
Propane / LP gas1.9%
Fuel oil5.6%
Wood6.3%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family21444.7%
Cohabiting couple5711.9%
Male householder, no spouse5611.7%
Female householder, no spouse15231.7%
Households with children under 1818438.4%
Households with seniors (65+)16334.0%
Average household size3.02

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married46.0%8.5%
Married41.3%47.0%
Separated0.0%2.0%
Widowed1.2%21.7%
Divorced11.5%20.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 10.1%
Some HS, no diploma 25.9%
HS graduate 50.2%
Some college, no degree 2.8%
Associate's degree 3.2%
Bachelor's degree 2.3%
Graduate / professional 5.5%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher63.9%
Bachelor's or higher7.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool4313.7%
Kindergarten8326.5%
Elementary school12339.3%
High school5417.3%
College / grad school103.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Finance & real estate 27.3%
Manufacturing 19.0%
Education & healthcare 13.4%
Transportation & utilities 13.0%
Retail trade 9.3%
Professional & management 5.6%
Agriculture & mining 5.1%
Other services 3.7%
Public administration 3.7%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts40.3%
Service7.9%
Sales & office8.3%
Natural resources & construction9.3%
Production & transportation34.3%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector70.8%
Government18.5%
Self-employed10.6%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone56.4%
Carpool14.7%
Public transit0.0%
Walk1.0%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)31.6

Poverty

All people 45.4%
Under 18 years 74.4%
18 and over 30.8%
Married-couple families 29.4%
Female-led households 36.1%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security57.2%
Retirement income21.5%
Supplemental Security19.0%
Cash public assistance6.9%
Food stamps / SNAP48.9%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure48.7%
High cholesterol42.0%
Heart disease12.3%
Stroke6.1%
Asthma14.4%
Arthritis43.2%
Kidney disease4.9%
Pulmonary disease19.9%
Cancer7.1%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking10.4%
No physical activity45.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep44.5%
Fair or poor health36.5%
Poor mental health22.8%
Poor physical health23.1%
No health insurance17.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)80.7%
Visited dentist35.0%
Cholesterol screening85.8%
Teeth loss38.1%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans202.1%
Disability%
Any disability17.6%
Under 183.1%
18–64 years14.8%
65 and over53.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance16.0%
Public insurance82.9%
Uninsured under 196.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,23085.0%
Spanish252.0%
Other Indo-European161.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander90.7%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)1,447100.0%
Born in same state1,447100.0%
Born in different state99668.8%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian1077.4%
Arab503.5%
AncestryCount%
French433%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access33.1%
Internet access76.8%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does War, WV have?
War, WV has one ZIP code: 24892. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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