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McDowell County, WV
20 cities and towns and 34 ZIP codes in McDowell County, West Virginia.
Population
17,943
Land area
533sq mi
People per sq mi
34
ZIP codes
34
Cities and towns in McDowell County
McDowell County at a glance
- McDowell County is 55% less dense than West Virginia as a whole.
- The median household income is $31,559, 47% below the West Virginia median of $59,608.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $50,000 (69% below West Virginia) and median rent is $643 a month.
- Its largest cities are Welch (3,507), Gary (861) and War (628).
Local data for McDowell County, WV
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
McDowell County, WV, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$31,559
Poverty rate
34.2%
Median home value
$50,000
Median rent
$643/mo
Homeownership
77.3%
Bachelor's or higher
6.8%
Median age
43.7
Average commute
36.0 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (1,364), Irish Americans (1,361), Italian Americans (329).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
8.7%
Sep 2026, -2.0 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$56,867
3,739 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$38,563
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$144M
FY 2026, $7,557 per person
PPP loans
$8.4M
156 loans, 1,066 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$6,928
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
McDowell County, WV, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone83.2%
- Carpooled9.4%
- Public transit0.5%
- Walked0.9%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.5%
- Worked from home4.5%
Average one-way commute: 36.0 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
McDowell County, WV, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
456
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
422
4.6% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
83° / 23°F
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone18 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in McDowell County, WV, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
46.2%
U.S. 33.3% +12.9 pts
Diabetes
21.6%
U.S. 12.1% +9.5 pts
Smoking
28.7%
U.S. 12.8% +15.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
13.9%
U.S. 11.1% +2.8 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in McDowell County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in McDowell County, WV?
- Welch is the largest city or town in McDowell County, with about 3,507 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in McDowell County?
- McDowell County includes 34 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 24801, 24808, 24811, 24813, 24815.
- What is the population of McDowell County, WV?
- About 17,943 people live in McDowell County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border McDowell County?
- McDowell County borders Mercer County, Tazewell County, VA, Mingo County, Wyoming County, Buchanan County, VA.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023