Peerless Coal Company Store · National Register of Historic Places
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1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
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VivianWV
In West Virginia, this town has 79 residents.
Empire Coal Company Store · Photo: Nyttend · Public domain
Population
79
Census survey, 2020–24
Land area
0 sq mi
Is Vivian a good place to live?
100% of residents live below the poverty line in Vivian, above both West Virginia’s towns (16%) and U.S. towns (9.6%). No town among the 62 in West Virginia we compare has a higher home-ownership rate than Vivian. Empire Coal Company Store and Peerless Coal Company Store is on the National Register of Historic Places. Vivian has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Small town
79 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Getting set up
Moving to Vivian: who provides what
Vivian is unincorporated, so McDowell County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerAppalachian Power17.0¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterMcdowell County PSD Tidewater1 health-based violation in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet3 providers93% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesMcDowell CountyMcDowell County provides services here
Register to voteOnlineIn West Virginia you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person until 21 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 21 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereMcDowell Clerk of the County CommissionMcDowell County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2021
ZIP code2485324853 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Vivian.
Natural hazards
Top of a very high hazard risk in Vivian: inland flooding
Expected losses in Vivian break down as 70% from inland flooding and 24% from cold waves. FEMA expects more storm and flood damage here than in 91% of U.S. communities. Federal aid has come to Vivian households in 3 declared disasters; the latest was in 2025.
91risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCold waves
3
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Vivian has four seasons and pleasant summers
A winter brings about 20 inches of snow, with January nights at 24° and July afternoons at 83°.
20″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter26–45°
Spring41–65°
Summer60–81°
Fall43–66°
Oct 17
typical first frost
Apr 24
typical last frost
+0.9°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Health
Vivian stands out in West Virginia and nationally, with more of its adults who get no exercise outside work
82% of adults had a checkup this year in Vivian. Among 62 West Virginia towns, just one has a higher share of adults who smoke cigarettes than Vivian. Against the West Virginia average, Vivian comes out ahead on 1 CDC measures out of 32, and behind on 15.
| Vivian | West Virginia towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES) | 35% | 24% | 19% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 18% | 14% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 22% | 16% | 12% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 23% | 17% | 14% |
32 measures vs. West Virginia
1 better16 too close to call15 worse
| What stands out | Vivian | WV |
|---|---|---|
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 83.5% | 79.5% |
| More adults with COPD | 16.9% | 10.6% |
Welch Community Hospital
5.5 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Vivian
13pages on Vivian
The big questions
Out and about
Day to day
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Vivian; the nearest are
Bluefield State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Bluefield17.4 mi$10,648 in-state tuitionNew River Community and Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · Beaver31.1 mi$5,156 in-state tuition
About 0 of every 100 Vivian residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across West Virginia.
About Vivian
Census-designated place in West Virginia, United States
Vivian is a census-designated place (CDP) in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. Vivian is located along U.S. Route 52, 1 mile (1.6 km) southeast of Kimball. As of the 2020 census, its population was 85 (a slight increase from 82 at the 2010 census). An old variant name was Clausen. The Peerless Coal Company Store was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 0.4 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,621 ft
Questions about Vivian
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Vivian, WV a good place to live?
Vivian has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.