| City: | Premier, West Virginia |
| County: | Mcdowell County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 3:08:56 AM |
| Population: | 382 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 304 / 681 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 37.4225, -81.6437 |
| Land Area: | 10.077 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Premier is a small community in McDowell County, West Virginia, deep in the heart of Appalachian coal country. The name Coal Heritage Road says it directly: this is a place shaped by the mining industry that defined southern West Virginia for generations. With 382 residents and 161 occupied homes, Premier sits in one of the nation's poorest counties.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery for residents here. The post office maintains 150 PO Boxes for 161 households, meaning 93% of homes rely exclusively on a trip to the post office for their mail. Both city and rural carrier routes appear in the data, but the PO Box remains the primary method for most.
Street names follow the classic Appalachian pattern: Premier Hollow Road, Bull Dog Hollow Road, Half Pint Hollow Road. In this terrain, hollows are the narrow valleys where communities took root between ridges. Housing stock tells a story too. Of the 186 housing units, 95 are mobile homes and 117 were built before 1939. Median home value sits at $28,600.
The population is older than average, with a median age of 43.4 years. Per capita income of $19,191 and no residents holding bachelor's degrees point to a working-class community that has weathered the decline of the coal industry. All 382 residents were born in the United States. Owner-occupied housing dominates at 76%, typical for rural Appalachian communities where families have held property for generations.
Street names feature 'hollow' roads typical of Appalachian valleys and Coal Heritage Road honoring the region's mining past.
ZIP Code 24878 has 382 residents and 161 households (average 2.37 persons per household). The median age is 43.4 years, about the same as the state (42.9) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 55.0% male and 45.0% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (88.2%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Black or African American (7.1%, lower than the national average of 12.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 0.0%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 382Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 156Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 37.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 161Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $28,600Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.37Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.75Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 407 | 488 | 500 | 453 | 605 | 524 | 581 | 562 | 529 | 277 | 297 | 95 | 156 |
| Decennial Census | 337 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 382 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 43.4
Male Median Age: 43.2
Female Median Age: 44.2
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 15 | 6 | 28 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 2 | 27 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 21 | 27 | 10 | 1 | 3 |
| Female | 5 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 23 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 3 |
| Total | 20 | 12 | 37 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 34 | 12 | 33 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 33 | 26 | 33 | 18 | 15 | 6 |
| White: | 337 | 92.33% |
| Black: | 27 | 7.40% |
| Hispanic:* | 0 | 0% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 1 | 0.27% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 365 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 210 | 54.97% | 43.2 years |
| Females: | 172 | 45.03% | 44.2 years |
| Total: | 382 | 100% | 43.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 156 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 156 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 156 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $0, which is far less than the state median ($57,917), is down $15,000 (100.0%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $27,667. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is well under the state female median ($44,242), with a current gap of $0 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 34.0%, which is markedly below the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 26.4%, which is much higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (100.0%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $15,000 | $15,096 | $16,429 | $22,981 | $23,550 | $24,432 | $25,302 | $26,210 | $27,667 | $24,013 | $31,563 | $40,078 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $23,938 | $24,602 | $29,750 | $28,636 | $25,820 | $26,279 | $26,250 | $27,982 | $28,070 | $28,750 | $31,964 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $13,107 | $12,652 | $12,652 | $13,226 | $13,125 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,499 | $2,499 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $64,643 | $64,605 | $66,181 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $14,375 | $0 | $0 | $13,800 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $30,655 | $34,813 | $28,750 | $28,333 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 39 | 25.00% |
| Unemployed: | 14 | 8.97% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 103 | 66.03% |
| Total: | 156 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Service: | 39 | 100.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 39 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $28,600, which is far less than the national median ($303,400), is down $3,100 (9.78%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $28,600. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($850), and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $488. Of occupied housing, owners make up 62.14% (31.25% with a mortgage, 68.75% free-and-clear) and renters 37.86% - making this ZIP Code less home ownership than the state and higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 11.97%, which is far lower than the state rate (16.08%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $31,700 | $24,400 | $23,300 | $23,300 | $0 | $0 | $20,800 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $57,100 | $54,200 | $28,600 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 39 | 100.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 39 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $486 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $585 | $498 | $487 | $488 | $481 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 20 | 19.42% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 44 | 42.72% |
| Renter Occupied: | 39 | 37.86% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 103 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 103 | 88.03% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 14 | 11.97% |
| Total Housing Units: | 117 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 22 | 18.80% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 95 | 81.20% |
| Total Housing Units: | 117 | 100% |
In 2023, 0.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 82.10%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 25.00%, which is on par with the state rate (6.20%). Private coverage is 10.30%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 75.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 21.40%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), up 6.70 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.40 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 28 | 17.95% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 114 | 73.08% |
| Some college, no degree: | 14 | 8.97% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 156 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 128 | 82.05% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Private Insurance: | 16 | 9.30% |
| Public Insurance: | 117 | 68.02% |
| No Insurance: | 39 | 22.67% |
| Total: | 172 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 133 | 77.33% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 14.7% | 24.1% | 20.4% | 28.4% | 28.0% | 27.0% | 19.7% | 21.9% | 21.8% | 35.3% | 21.1% | 30.4% | 21.4% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
ZIP Code 24878 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 6 business establishments, employing about 61 people with an annual payroll of $4,321,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 199Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 6Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $1,039,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $4,321,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 61Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 24878 is located in Mcdowell County, West Virginia, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and West Virginia's 1st Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 24878. It covers 10.077 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.049 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Number: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 10.077 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.049 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 6275.56 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
We could not locate which school district 24878 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on January 1, 2026.