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Welch, WV
City in McDowell County, West Virginia. ZIP codes: 24878.
Population
3,507
Land area
7.6sq mi
People per sq mi
459
ZIP codes
1
Welch and its ZIP codes
Welch at a glance
- Welch is about 6.2 times as dense as West Virginia as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 42nd among 429 cities and towns in West Virginia.
- The median household income is $32,969, 45% below the West Virginia median of $59,608.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $57,300 (65% below West Virginia) and median rent is $441 a month.
Local data for Welch, WV
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Welch, WV, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$32,969
Poverty rate
28.2%
Median home value
$57,300
Median rent
$441/mo
Homeownership
75.3%
Bachelor's or higher
5.0%
Median age
40.6
Average commute
15.3 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (82), Italian Americans (43), Mexican Americans (36).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for McDowell County. PPP loans are for Welch.
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
How people get to work
Welch, WV, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone72.1%
- Carpooled13.6%
- Public transit4.4%
- Walked2.1%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home7.8%
Average one-way commute: 15.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Welch, WV, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
456
Countywide, mostly 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 zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Welch, WV, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
48.7%
U.S. 33.3% +15.4 pts
Diabetes
17.2%
U.S. 12.1% +5.1 pts
Smoking
28.9%
U.S. 12.8% +16.1 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
16.6%
U.S. 11.1% +5.5 pts
ZIP codes in Welch
1 in or overlapping Welch. Population shown
Cities near Welch
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| KimballTown | 1.8 mi | 0.6 |
| VivianCensus-designated place | 3.2 mi | 0.4 |
| GaryCity | 3.6 mi | 0.8 |
| PagetonCensus-designated place | 5.4 mi | 1.2 |
| KeystoneCity | 5.5 mi | 0.3 |
| NorthforkTown | 6.1 mi | 1 |
| AnawaltTown | 7.4 mi | 0.6 |
| DavyTown | 7.6 mi | 1.3 |
| RoderfieldCensus-designated place | 9.3 mi | 0.3 |
| Big SandyCensus-designated place | 9.7 mi | 0.5 |
| CucumberCensus-designated place | 9.7 mi | 0.5 |
| WarCity | 10 mi | 0.9 |
| MaybeuryCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 1.7 |
| BartleyCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 1.1 |
| BerwindCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 0.3 |
| CrumplerCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 1.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Welch, WV in?
- Welch is in McDowell County, West Virginia.
- What ZIP codes are in Welch, WV?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Welch include 24878.
- What is the population of Welch, WV?
- About 3,507 people live in Welch, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Welch?
- Nearby places include Kimball (1.8 mi), Vivian (3.2 mi), Gary (3.6 mi), Pageton (5.4 mi), Keystone (5.5 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023