Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 45 min6:07 am – 8:52 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 35 min7:38 am – 5:13 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People477 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 51.8281 householdsMedian household income $40,293Median home value $41,40091% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $455 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting8.6% unemployment rate38% of adults are in the labour force, 160 employedMain industries: manufacturing 29%, public administration 19%, education and health care 16%Average commute 30 minutes79% drive alone, 21% car-poolSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages0% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher87% finished high school, 0% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 100%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 84°F, lows 64°FColdest month January: highs 43°F, lows 24°F48 in of rain a yearwettest month July16 in of snow a year, on about 15 days13 days above 90°F, 117 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Rd Bailey Lake station, 12 mi away; snow from Grundy
Nearby landmarksSheep Knobpeak · 1.4 miHigh Knobpeak · 5.7 miSlagle Impoundmentreservoir · 6.1 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsPanther Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · under a mile · 11,519 acresPanther State Foreststate park · 2.5 miR.D. Bailey Recreation Arearecreation area · 11.6 mi · 19,158 acresR.D. Bailey Lake Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 11.8 mi · 17,782 acresTug Fork Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 12.8 mi · 6,778 acresHorse Creek Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 14.2 miSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes6 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19704 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 4.3 on 23 Nov 200620 mi away, near Raven, VirginiaMost recent: magnitude 4.3 on 23 Nov 200620 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowMcDowell County, WV, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsCold wave Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality88% of days had good air in 2025322 of 365 days measured43 moderate daysMedian index 34, worst day 77main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Pike County, KY, 27 mi away
Internet at home71% of households have a broadband subscription66% have cable, fibre or DSL0% rely on a mobile data plan alone29% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterCity of Welchserves 2,907 people from ground water4 health-based violations since 2021latest Oct 2025: coliform bacteria, treatment technique17 monitoring or reporting violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system in the county
Elevation1,430 ft436 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalBuchanan General Hospital13.9 miPost officePanther Post Office2.1 miPoliceIaeger Police Department6.2 miFire stationPanther Volunteer Fire Department2.1 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportRaleigh County Memorial Airport BKW49 miMajor airportPiedmont Triad International Airport GSO144 miUS highwayUS 525.6 miAmtrakPrince, WV PRC55 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 24872 ZIP area.
