CountyScore

Berkeley County

West Virginia · WV

#52 in West Virginia
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Berkeley County, West Virginia

Berkeley exceeds national standards decisively

Berkeley County's composite score of 66.8 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 34%, placing it comfortably in the upper third of U.S. counties. This strong national ranking reflects Berkeley's advantages in income, health, and tax efficiency.

Slightly below West Virginia average

With a score of 66.8, Berkeley County trails the state average of 72.2 by about 5 points, placing it in the middle tier of West Virginia counties. Despite this, the county remains a solid performer statewide.

Income and health lead the way

Berkeley County's median household income of $77,329 (income score: 33.9) is the highest among these eight counties and well above state averages. Strong health metrics (68.7) and favorable tax rates (86.9) round out a well-balanced profile attractive to working families.

Risk exposure and housing costs rise

Berkeley's risk score of 31.8 is the lowest among these counties, indicating elevated exposure to natural hazards or environmental concerns. Housing costs are also steep for the region, with median home values at $248,000 and monthly rent at $1,238, limiting affordability.

Best for professionals seeking growth

Berkeley County appeals to working professionals and families with solid incomes who value health, education, and job markets over rock-bottom affordability. The county offers more economic dynamism than rural peers, though it demands higher housing budgets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.9Cost67.2SafetyComing SoonHealth68.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.9Risk31.8WaterComing Soon
🏛86.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡31.8
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 Berkeley County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cochise County
Arizona
66.8
Median income: $58,970
Chattooga County
Georgia
66.8
Median income: $47,785
Clay County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $57,266
Piatt County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $87,516
Hamilton County
Kansas
66.8
Median income: $61,929

Deep Dives

Berkeley County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Berkeley County

via TaxByCounty

Berkeley's effective rate beats the nation

Berkeley County's 0.546% effective tax rate is notably lower than the national median of 0.81%, placing it in the bottom half of U.S. counties despite higher-than-average home values. The median tax bill of $1,353 remains well below the national median of $2,690.

Berkeley ranks above West Virginia average

At 0.546%, Berkeley's rate exceeds the state average of 0.497%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of West Virginia counties. The median tax of $1,353 is significantly higher than the state average of $699, reflecting the county's stronger property values.

Berkeley vs. surrounding counties

Berkeley has a higher rate than Barbour (0.427%) and Braxton (0.450%) but lower than Cabell County (0.634%). Berkeley's median home value of $248,000 is the strongest in this regional comparison, driving higher absolute tax amounts.

Your annual property tax in Berkeley

On the median home value of $248,000, you'll pay roughly $1,353 per year—or about $113 monthly. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $1,426 due to escrow arrangements.

Could you be overassessed?

Even in higher-value counties like Berkeley, properties are sometimes assessed above fair market value. Reviewing your assessment and filing an appeal if needed could recoup hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Berkeley County

via CostByCounty

Berkeley rents climb above national threshold

Berkeley County's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national affordability standard of 15%, indicating housing costs strain even this relatively affluent county. With a median household income of $77,329—above the national average of $74,755—residents still allocate nearly one-fifth of earnings to rent.

Berkeley ranks second-highest in housing burden

Berkeley's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio is among West Virginia's highest, approaching the statewide average of 16.9% from above. The county's median rent of $1,238 is the steepest in this dataset, reflecting Berkeley's position as West Virginia's most expensive housing market.

Berkeley's rents outpace regional peers

Berkeley County renters pay $1,238 monthly, far exceeding nearby Boone County ($823) and Braxton County ($578). Despite higher incomes, Berkeley households allocate a larger percentage to rent than most neighboring counties, driven by the region's stronger housing demand.

Berkeley's dual housing cost picture

Berkeley households earn a median $77,329 annually and spend $1,238 on rent or $1,218 on mortgage payments monthly. Remarkably, both renters and homeowners face similar affordability burdens here—around 19%—making Berkeley unique among West Virginia counties for balanced (but stretched) housing costs across tenure types.

Is Berkeley County worth the premium?

Berkeley offers the highest incomes in this dataset but also the highest housing costs, with median homes valued at $248,000. Relocating here requires stronger earning power than neighboring counties—compare your household income to the $77,329 median to gauge fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Berkeley County

via IncomeByCounty

Berkeley outpaces the national average

Berkeley County's median household income of $77,329 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 3%, making it one of West Virginia's economic bright spots. This strong performance reflects proximity to the Northern Virginia job market and a diversified employment base.

Economic leader in West Virginia

Berkeley County's $77,329 median household income ranks among the highest in West Virginia, outpacing the state average of $54,746 by 41%. Its per capita income of $37,533 also significantly exceeds the state average of $30,335, indicating both higher earners and more income per resident.

Far ahead of surrounding counties

Berkeley's $77,329 median household income dramatically exceeds its nearest neighbors: Brooke County ($52,116) and Boone County ($56,152) trail by $21,000 to $25,000. This regional leadership reflects Berkeley's location on the Eastern Panhandle, closer to Washington D.C. metro employment centers.

Strong incomes support homeownership

Berkeley's rent-to-income ratio of 19.2% sits comfortably in the healthy 15-20% range, and its median home value of $248,000 reflects both higher incomes and stronger property values. Residents here enjoy greater housing options and financial flexibility compared to other West Virginia counties.

Maximize wealth-building opportunities

Berkeley residents with above-average incomes should leverage tax-advantaged investment accounts beyond 401(k)s—consider maxing out HSAs, 529 college plans, and Roth IRAs. With strong household earnings, working with a financial planner to optimize asset allocation and retirement strategies can compound gains significantly.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Berkeley County

via HealthByCounty

Above-average life expectancy for rural West Virginia

Berkeley County residents live to 73.3 years on average, outpacing both West Virginia (72.2 years) and closing the gap with the U.S. average of 78.0 years. Only 19.2% of Berkeley residents report poor or fair health—the lowest rate among these eight counties—signaling better overall health outcomes.

Top-performing county in health metrics

Berkeley County ranks in the upper tier of West Virginia's 55 counties for life expectancy at 73.3 years. The 7.2% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 7.6%, suggesting stronger health insurance coverage in the community.

Healthiest outcomes among comparison counties

Berkeley's 73.3-year life expectancy and 19.2% poor/fair health rate outperform Brooke County (73.1 years, 22.0% poor/fair) and significantly exceed Boone County (68.9 years, 27.4% poor/fair). The county also leads in primary care access with 42 providers per 100,000 residents.

Best provider access in the region

Berkeley offers 42 primary care providers and 208 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—nearly double the mental health capacity of neighboring counties. This robust provider network supports easier access to preventive and behavioral health care.

Maintain your coverage year-round

Berkeley's strong uninsured rate of 7.2% reflects good health insurance uptake, but 7.2% of residents still lack coverage. Check healthcare.gov during open enrollment to ensure continuous, affordable coverage for you and your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Berkeley County

via RiskByCounty

Berkeley faces multiple hazard threats

Berkeley County's composite risk score of 68.26 ranks it as Relatively Low but notably above the national average, reflecting exposure to multiple natural hazards. The county's proximity to the Eastern Panhandle creates unique vulnerability patterns.

Mid-range risk for West Virginia

Berkeley's score of 68.26 exceeds the state average of 49.21, placing it in the riskier half of West Virginia counties. This reflects the county's diverse hazard landscape.

Riskier than inland neighbors

Berkeley faces notably higher risk than Braxton County (36.16) and Barbour County (24.01) due to stronger hurricane and flood exposure. Its elevated risks align more closely with neighboring Cabell County (85.37).

Hurricanes, floods dominate hazard profile

Berkeley's hurricane risk of 80.35 and flood risk of 79.83 are its most serious threats, driven by proximity to Atlantic storm systems and river flooding patterns. Tornado and earthquake risks are more moderate at 42.59 and 66.06 respectively.

Flood insurance strongly recommended

Berkeley residents should prioritize flood insurance beyond standard homeowners coverage, as standard policies exclude flood damage. With hurricane and water-related risks elevated, comprehensive protection is a smart investment.

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.