Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 44 min6:07 am – 8:51 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 35 min7:38 am – 5:13 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People247 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 65.9127 householdsMedian home value $183,90079% of homes owner-occupiedSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Education and languages19% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher68% finished high school, 19% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 100%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 83°F, lows 63°FColdest month January: highs 43°F, lows 24°F47 in of rain a year, on about 94 dayswettest month July16 in of snow a year, on about 15 days18 days above 90°F, 112 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Grundy station, 12 mi away
Nearby landmarksBradshaw Mountainpeak · under a mileMullins Mountainpeak · 3.9 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsPanther Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 2.1 mi · 11,519 acresPanther State Foreststate park · 5.8 miBerwind Lake Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 11.3 mi · 91 acresTug Fork Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 12.4 mi · 6,778 acresR.D. Bailey Recreation Arearecreation area · 16.6 mi · 19,158 acresBreaks Interstate Parkstate park · 22.5 mi · 3,056 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes7 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19704 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 4.3 on 23 Nov 200614 mi away, near Raven, VirginiaMost recent: magnitude 4.3 on 23 Nov 200614 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, 31 mi away
Internet at home72% of households have a broadband subscription65% have cable, fibre or DSL0% rely on a mobile data plan alone28% 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
Elevation1,799 ft548 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalBuchanan General Hospital11.2 miPost officePaynesville Post Office1.2 miPoliceBradshaw Police Department4.4 miFire stationBradshaw Volunteer Fire Department4.4 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeAppalachian College of Pharmacy11.9 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportRaleigh County Memorial Airport BKW51 miMajor airportPiedmont Triad International Airport GSO138 miInterstateI-8139 miUS highwayUS 528.5 miAmtrakPrince, WV PRC57 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 24873 ZIP area.