CountyScore

Barbour County

West Virginia · WV

#18 in West Virginia
74.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Barbour County, West Virginia

Barbour ranks well above national average

Barbour County scores 74.4 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, nearly 50% higher than the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper half of all U.S. counties, demonstrating strong overall livability compared to the nation.

Top performer in West Virginia

At 74.4, Barbour County exceeds the state average composite score of 72.2, ranking among the best counties in West Virginia. The county's above-average performance reflects solid conditions across multiple dimensions of livability.

Tax relief and affordable housing shine

Barbour County excels in tax burden (90.3) with an effective rate of just 0.427%, among the lowest in the state, and housing affordability (86.4) with median home values at $126,000. These twin strengths make the county particularly attractive to budget-conscious homebuyers and retirees.

Income and health need attention

The county's income score of 15.0 reflects a median household income of $48,347, well below state and national averages, limiting economic opportunity. Health outcomes (61.7) also lag, suggesting room for improvement in healthcare access and wellness resources.

Ideal for retirees and cost-conscious families

Barbour County suits retirees and families prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. The strong composite score reflects genuine livability, though prospective residents should weigh limited income growth against exceptional affordability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax90.3Cost86.4SafetyComing SoonHealth61.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome15Risk76WaterComing Soon
🏛90.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡76
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Barbour County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Searcy County
Arkansas
74.4
Median income: $41,978
Carroll County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $64,003
Fountain County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $62,526
Jasper County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $79,634
Perry County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $61,099

Deep Dives

Barbour County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Barbour County

via TaxByCounty

Barbour's taxes rank low nationally

At 0.427%, Barbour County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.81%, placing it in the lowest quartile across the country. The median property tax of $538 is roughly one-fifth the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower home values and a modest tax burden.

Barbour ranks among West Virginia's lowest

Barbour's 0.427% rate falls below the state average of 0.497%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in West Virginia. The median tax bill of $538 trails the state average of $699 by about 23%.

Barbour vs. neighboring counties

Barbour's rate is comparable to nearby Braxton County (0.450%) but lower than Berkeley County (0.546%) and Cabell County (0.634%). Among its peer group, Barbour offers relatively modest property tax exposure.

Your annual property tax in Barbour

On the county median home value of $126,000, you'd pay approximately $538 annually—or about $45 per month. Homeowners with mortgages typically see slightly higher bills at $620 due to escrow requirements.

Could you be overassessed?

Many West Virginia homeowners pay more than they should because their properties are overvalued on the assessment roll. If your home's assessed value seems high, filing an appeal with your county assessor could reduce your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Barbour County

via CostByCounty

Barbour's rent burden tops national norm

Barbour County residents spend 19.9% of income on rent, significantly above the national affordability threshold of 15%. This means the average household here dedicates nearly one-fifth of earnings to housing, compared to a healthier national average that sees renters allocate less of their paycheck to shelter costs.

Housing costs strain Barbour renters most

At 19.9%, Barbour's rent-to-income ratio ranks among West Virginia's worst—well above the statewide average of 16.9%. The county's median rent of $803 is higher than most peers despite lower median household income of $48,347, creating a squeeze for renters here.

Barbour faces tighter squeeze than neighbors

Barbour renters spend a larger share of income on housing than residents of nearby Boone County (17.6%) and Braxton County (15.6%). Only Cabell County's 19.9% ratio matches Barbour's burden, suggesting housing affordability challenges are concentrated in a few West Virginia communities.

Where Barbour income goes

The median household earns $48,347 annually while paying $803 in rent or $497 for mortgage payments monthly. Renters here face a steeper affordability crisis than homeowners; mortgage holders spend just 12.3% of income on housing, while renters surrender nearly 20%.

Comparing housing options in Barbour

If you're considering Barbour County, know that homeownership offers significantly better affordability than renting, with a median home value of $126,000. Compare rental costs here ($803/month) to neighboring Brooke County ($603/month) before deciding where to plant roots.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Barbour County

via IncomeByCounty

Barbour trails the nation on income

Barbour County's median household income of $48,347 falls 35% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the lower-income counties nationally. This gap reflects broader economic challenges facing rural Appalachia as manufacturing and resource-based jobs have declined over the past two decades.

Below average for West Virginia

At $48,347, Barbour's median household income ranks below the state average of $54,746, positioning it in the lower half of West Virginia's 55 counties. The county's per capita income of $26,055 also lags the state average of $30,335, indicating fewer earners per household.

Similar struggles in nearby counties

Barbour's income profile mirrors struggling neighbors Braxton County ($44,449) and Clay County ($42,790), but outpaces Calhoun County ($41,421). Only Berkeley County ($77,329) in the region breaks significantly above state and national averages, showing stark contrasts within West Virginia.

Rent remains manageable despite low wages

Barbour County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% means renters spend roughly one-fifth of household income on rent—slightly above the sustainable 15-20% threshold. With a median home value of $126,000, homeownership is more accessible here than statewide, though low median incomes still limit down payment capacity.

Build financial resilience in Barbour

With median household income below $50,000, Barbour residents should prioritize emergency savings and low-cost investing through employer retirement plans and IRAs. Even small, consistent contributions compound significantly over time—consider consulting a local financial advisor about first-time homebuyer programs that could build equity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Barbour County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy lags behind national average

Barbour County residents live to an average of 72.0 years, about 6 years below the U.S. average of 78.0 years. Nearly one in four residents (25.6%) report poor or fair health, indicating significant chronic disease burden in the community.

Tracking slightly below West Virginia average

Barbour's 72.0-year life expectancy falls just short of West Virginia's 72.2-year state average, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 55 counties. The county's uninsured rate of 7.6% matches the state average exactly, suggesting comparable insurance coverage access.

Similar health outcomes to neighboring counties

Barbour's life expectancy and health metrics closely resemble those of Braxton County (73.5 years) and Calhoun County (71.5 years), reflecting similar socioeconomic conditions across central West Virginia. The county has 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—modestly below Berkeley County's 42 but on par with Boone County's 33.

Adequate mental health services, limited primary care

Barbour offers 124 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, better than most rural West Virginia counties, but only 32 primary care providers per 100,000. With 7.6% of residents uninsured, many residents depend on Medicaid and community health centers for routine care.

Check your coverage options today

If you're among Barbour's uninsured residents, visit healthcare.gov or contact the West Virginia Medicaid office to explore coverage options. Open enrollment periods and income-based assistance programs may help you find affordable health insurance.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Barbour County

via RiskByCounty

Barbour ranks safest in state

Barbour County's composite risk score of 24.01 places it well below the national average, earning a Very Low rating. This means residents face significantly lower exposure to major natural disasters compared to most American counties.

Among lowest-risk counties statewide

Barbour's score of 24.01 sits far below West Virginia's 49.21 average, ranking the county among the safest in the state. Only a handful of West Virginia counties share this low-risk profile.

Safest corner of northern WV

Barbour is considerably safer than neighboring Braxton County (36.16) and Brooke County (54.23), making it one of the most secure areas in the region. This advantage holds steady across most hazard types.

Flood and earthquake are top concerns

Barbour's flood risk score of 51.75 and earthquake risk of 24.52 represent the county's main vulnerabilities, though both remain modest by state standards. Tornado and wildfire risks are minimal, each scoring below 12.

Standard homeowners insurance sufficient

While Barbour's overall risk is low, securing comprehensive homeowners insurance remains essential to protect against flooding and other perils. Renters should also carry coverage, as most landlord policies don't protect personal belongings.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.