Welch ZIP Codes — Mcdowell County, WV

There is one unique ZIP code in Welch, West Virginia and it is 24801. Area code: 304/681.

ZIP codes

106.01

sq mi land

0.18

sq mi water

304/681

area code

Welch, WV ZIP code map

About Welch, WV

Welch is a charming city located in Mcdowell County, West Virginia. It is recognized for its rich history and scenic surroundings, offering a unique blend of small-town charm and natural beauty. The community is a hub of local culture and heritage, making it a special place in the heart of Appalachia.

Location & geography

Welch is situated in the southern part of West Virginia and covers a land area of 106.01 square miles, with an additional 0.18 square miles attributed to water. The city serves as a gateway to the surrounding mountains and is located approximately 28 miles southeast of Bluefield and about 40 miles west of Tazewell, Virginia. The terrain is characterized by hilly landscapes typical of the Appalachian region, with lush greenery and scenic views.

Community & economy

The character of Welch is shaped by its close-knit community and deep-rooted traditions in coal mining, which has historically been a significant industry in the area. Daily life in Welch reflects a slower pace, where residents enjoy strong ties with one another and engage in community activities. The city hosts various local events, celebrating its heritage and fostering a sense of belonging among its residents.

Transportation

Welch is accessible via U.S. Route 52, which runs through the city and connects it to other nearby areas. The nearest major airport is the Mercer County Airport, located approximately 30 miles to the north in Bluefield. Local transportation options may include taxi services, though public transit is limited in this region.

History

Welch was established in the late 19th century and rapidly grew due to the booming coal industry in Mcdowell County. The city became known as a central hub for coal miners and their families, shaping its cultural and economic landscape. Notable events in its history include the impact of labor movements, which were pivotal during the coal strikes of the early 20th century.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Welch is that it was once the site of the largest coal camp in the world during the height of the coal mining era. Additionally, the city is known for its beautiful murals that depict the rich history and culture of the region.

ZIP codes for Welch, WV (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24801	Welch	Mcdowell	View map

Demographics & statistics

5,333

Population

41.5

Median age

$27,788

Median household income

$12,073

Per capita income

$55,100

Median home value

$788

Median monthly rent

74.3%

Home ownership

33.6%

Poverty rate

6.8%

Unemployment

1,394

Housing units

6.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

177

Under 5

116

127

5–9

166

10–14

109

103

15–19

210

20–24

138

431

25–34

281

696

35–44

455

368

45–54

241

269

55–59

175

258

60–64

169

260

65–74

170

75–84

113

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	922	17.3%
18 and over	4,411	82.7%
65 and over	693	13.0%
Median age	41.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 70.5%

Black or African American 26.6%

Two or more races 2.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Asian 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	3,761	70.5%
Black or African American	1,420	26.6%
Two or more races	130	2.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	12	0.2%
Asian	10	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 8.8%

$10k–$15k 23.3%

$15k–$25k 13.7%

$25k–$35k 11.2%

$35k–$50k 15.5%

$50k–$75k 20.3%

$75k–$100k 0.8%

$100k–$150k 5.8%

$150k–$200k 0.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.8%
$10k–$15k	23.3%
$15k–$25k	13.7%
$25k–$35k	11.2%
$35k–$50k	15.5%
$50k–$75k	20.3%
$75k–$100k	0.8%
$100k–$150k	5.8%
$150k–$200k	0.5%
Median income	$27,788

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 45.0%

$50k–$100k 46.2%

$100k–$150k 7.7%

$150k–$200k 1.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$55,100
Median rent / month	$788
Owner occupied	74.3%
Renter occupied	25.7%
Vacant	24.7%
Single-family detached	75.3%
Large apartment buildings	6.0%
Mobile homes	11.9%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.82

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	1.6%
2000–2009	5.6%
1990–1999	4.5%
1980–1989	4.9%
1970–1979	13.4%
1960–1969	13.4%
1950–1959	13.6%
1940–1949	18.2%
1939 or earlier	24.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.1%
1 bedroom	11.0%
2 bedrooms	23.1%
3 bedrooms	44.6%
4 bedrooms	18.6%
5+ bedrooms	1.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.5%
1 vehicle	55.1%
2 vehicles	22.0%
3 or more	11.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	37.2%
Electricity	48.8%
Propane / LP gas	4.0%
Fuel oil	4.4%
Wood	3.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	250	19.2%
Cohabiting couple	57	4.4%
Male householder, no spouse	262	20.1%
Female householder, no spouse	733	56.3%
Households with children under 18	379	29.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	453	34.8%
Average household size	2.68

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	54.4%	40.4%
Married	16.9%	20.0%
Separated	3.1%	0.6%
Widowed	3.8%	23.4%
Divorced	21.9%	15.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.3%

Some HS, no diploma 14.9%

HS graduate 53.6%

Some college, no degree 14.6%

Associate's degree 4.2%

Bachelor's degree 4.0%

Graduate / professional 2.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	78.8%
Bachelor's or higher	6.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	73	10.7%
Elementary school	245	36.0%
High school	238	34.9%
College / grad school	125	18.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 33.6%

Public administration 21.2%

Professional & management 13.2%

Retail trade 12.8%

Other services 5.2%

Agriculture & mining 3.3%

Finance & real estate 2.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.6%

Construction 2.0%

Transportation & utilities 1.6%

Information 0.9%

Manufacturing 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	35.1%
Service	10.9%
Sales & office	26.1%
Natural resources & construction	2.2%
Production & transportation	25.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	60.5%
Government	35.9%
Self-employed	3.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.4%
Carpool	19.0%
Public transit	0.5%
Walk	1.2%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.6

Poverty

All people 33.6%

Under 18 years 32.5%

18 and over 33.9%

Married-couple families 16.0%

Female-led households 47.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	50.1%
Retirement income	19.6%
Supplemental Security	15.0%
Cash public assistance	9.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	48.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	47.0%
High cholesterol	40.1%
Heart disease	10.9%
Stroke	5.4%
Asthma	13.3%
Arthritis	40.3%
Kidney disease	4.4%
Pulmonary disease	16.1%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	11.2%
No physical activity	40.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	44.1%
Fair or poor health	31.0%
Poor mental health	20.6%
Poor physical health	19.7%
No health insurance	15.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	80.9%
Visited dentist	40.7%
Cholesterol screening	87.3%
Teeth loss	33.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	211	4.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	24.3%
Under 18	4.1%
18–64 years	26.5%
65 and over	47.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	34.4%
Public insurance	66.6%
Uninsured under 19	16.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	5,040	94.5%
Spanish	143	2.8%
Other Indo-European	143	2.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,100	95.6%
Born in same state	5,081	95.3%
Born in different state	3,607	67.6%
Foreign born	19	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	233	4.4%
Not a US citizen	31	13.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	261	4.9%
French	241	4.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	192	3.6%
Italian	117	2.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	24.4%
Internet access	84.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Welch, WV have?

Welch, WV has one ZIP code: 24801. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.