Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 44 min6:06 am – 8:50 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 36 min7:36 am – 5:12 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People409 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 34.7158 householdsMedian household income $24,423Median home value $24,50084% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $199 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Education and languages2% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher80% finished high school, 2% 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 62°FColdest month January: highs 44°F, lows 23°F45 in of rain a year, on about 93 dayswettest month July18 in of snow a year, on about 10 days6 days above 90°F, 126 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Richlands station, 12 mi away
Parks and public landsBerwind Lake Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 1.3 mi · 91 acresTug Fork Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 12.6 mi · 6,778 acresPanther State Foreststate park · 16.7 miPinnacle Rock State Parkstate park · 21.9 mi · 393 acresJefferson National Forestnational forest · 22.8 mi · 711,977 acresR.D. Bailey Recreation Arearecreation area · 23.3 mi · 19,158 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes8 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19704 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 4.3 on 23 Nov 200617 mi away, near Raven, VirginiaMost recent: magnitude 4.3 on 23 Nov 200617 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, 43 mi away
Internet at home54% of households have a broadband subscription42% have cable, fibre or DSL13% rely on a mobile data plan alone46% 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
Elevation2,137 ft651 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalClinch Valley Medical Center12.6 miPost officeBerwind Post Office2.0 miTown hallWar City Hall4.0 miPoliceWar Police Department4.0 miFire stationBerwind Fire and Rescue2.0 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportRaleigh County Memorial Airport BKW49 miMajor airportPiedmont Triad International Airport GSO125 miInterstateI-8129 miUS highwayUS 1910 miAmtrakHinton, WV HIN53 miCoachBluefield Bus StopGreyhound25 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 24894 ZIP area.
