CountyScore

Boone County

West Virginia · WV

#49 in West Virginia
68.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Boone County, West Virginia

Boone outpaces national livability benchmarks

Boone County scores 68.5, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 37%, placing it solidly in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects balanced strengths in affordability and tax efficiency that benefit residents nationwide.

Solid middle-ground in West Virginia

Boone County's 68.5 score sits slightly below the state average of 72.2, positioning it as a capable but unremarkable performer within West Virginia. The county holds its own among its peers statewide.

Ultra-affordable housing and low taxes

Boone County shines in cost (86.2) with median home values of just $90,300—the lowest among these eight counties—and offers low tax burdens (84.0) at 0.650% effective rate. These features make it one of the most budget-friendly places in the region.

Risk and income gaps challenge growth

The county's risk score of 30.6 suggests significant environmental or disaster vulnerability concerns. Income levels (20.0) at a median of $56,152 remain below state benchmarks, limiting economic opportunity for career-focused residents.

Perfect for bargain hunters and families

Boone County is ideal for families and individuals seeking minimal housing and tax costs in a stable rural setting. The profile suits those who prioritize affordability and lower cost of living over higher wages and economic mobility.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84Cost86.2SafetyComing SoonHealth58.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome20Risk30.6WaterComing Soon
🏛84
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡30.6
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 Boone County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $51,149
Russell County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $50,046
Talladega County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $56,249
Dodge County
Georgia
68.5
Median income: $50,152
Rice County
Kansas
68.5
Median income: $63,947

Deep Dives

Boone County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Boone County

via TaxByCounty

Boone's rate is among America's highest

Boone County's 0.650% effective tax rate significantly exceeds the national median of 0.81%, placing it in the top quartile for property tax burden nationwide. Despite modest home values, the rate structure creates an outsized tax burden relative to property wealth.

Boone has West Virginia's steepest rates

At 0.650%, Boone County has the highest effective tax rate among all West Virginia counties shown here, well above the state average of 0.497%. The median tax of $587 ranks among the highest despite lower median home values.

Boone vs. peer counties in the region

Boone's 0.650% rate significantly outpaces all neighboring counties—Barbour (0.427%), Braxton (0.450%), and Cabell (0.634%). This elevated rate structure creates a notably heavier tax burden for Boone residents.

Your annual property tax in Boone

On the median home value of $90,300, you'll pay approximately $587 annually, or about $49 per month. With a mortgage, the figure climbs to $797, reflecting the county's higher effective rate.

Could you be overassessed?

In counties with elevated tax rates like Boone, a professional assessment review is especially worthwhile. Many homeowners who challenge their valuations successfully reduce their annual bills by hundreds of dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Boone County

via CostByCounty

Boone approaches—but doesn't cross—affordability line

Boone County's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio sits above the national affordability benchmark of 15%, though it's closer than most West Virginia counties. The median household income of $56,152 is below the national average of $74,755, making housing costs relatively steeper for residents here.

Boone's affordability ranks mid-pack statewide

At 17.6%, Boone's rent-to-income ratio sits slightly above West Virginia's statewide average of 16.9%, placing it in the upper half of the state's affordability challenges. Median rent of $823 reflects Boone's position between rural and more developed county housing markets.

Boone offers middle-ground housing costs

Boone's $823 median rent falls between pricier Berkeley County ($1,238) and more affordable Braxton County ($578). At 17.6%, Boone's rent burden is lower than neighboring Barbour (19.9%) but higher than Brooke County (13.9%), making it a moderate option regionally.

Boone's split between renters and owners

Median household income of $56,152 means renters spend about $823 monthly (17.6% of income) while homeowners allocate $490 (10.5%) to mortgages. Boone's homeownership path offers significantly better affordability, with median home value of just $90,300.

Boone offers balanced affordability

If you're seeking reasonable housing costs without rural isolation, Boone County strikes a middle ground with $823 median rent and $90,300 median home values. Compare Boone to neighboring Braxton and Clay counties to find your affordability sweet spot in central West Virginia.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Boone County

via IncomeByCounty

Boone's income gap from national average

Boone County's median household income of $56,152 falls 25% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting the economic pressures facing coal-dependent regions in central Appalachia. Despite this gap, Boone performs slightly better than many neighboring counties in the state.

Boone ranks mid-tier in state earnings

At $56,152, Boone County's median household income edges slightly above the state average of $54,746, placing it near the middle of West Virginia's county rankings. Its per capita income of $26,984 remains below the state average of $30,335, suggesting concentrated earnings in fewer households.

Better positioned than southern neighbors

Boone's $56,152 median household income outpaces struggling southern counties like Braxton ($44,449), Clay ($42,790), and Calhoun ($41,421), but trails the Eastern Panhandle leader Berkeley ($77,329). Within its region, Boone represents a moderate-income baseline for central West Virginia.

Affordable housing supports household budgets

Boone County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% falls within the healthy range, and its median home value of just $90,300 makes homeownership highly attainable for most households. This affordability cushion provides residents breathing room despite modestly lower median incomes statewide.

Invest with Boone's lower cost of living

Boone's affordable housing and reasonable cost of living create a unique advantage: residents can allocate income to savings and investments more easily than higher-income, higher-cost regions. Start with employer benefits, then explore automatic monthly investments in diversified funds to build long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Boone County

via HealthByCounty

Significant health challenges amid national disparities

Boone County's 68.9-year life expectancy is nearly 10 years below the U.S. average of 78.0 years and 3.3 years below West Virginia's state average. With 27.4% of residents reporting poor or fair health—among the highest in the state—chronic disease is widespread.

Among the lowest life expectancy in West Virginia

Boone County ranks in the bottom tier of West Virginia's 55 counties for life expectancy at 68.9 years. The 6.9% uninsured rate is better than the state average of 7.6%, but this masks deeper health equity challenges in the county.

Health outcomes lag behind similar counties

Boone's 68.9-year life expectancy trails Clay County (69.3 years) and significantly lags Braxton County (73.5 years) and Berkeley County (73.3 years). The 27.4% poor/fair health rate is the second-highest among these eight counties, pointing to entrenched health disparities.

Limited mental health resources amid crisis

Boone has only 33 primary care providers and 44 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—well below peer counties and insufficient to address rising opioid and behavioral health crises. Residents often travel outside the county for specialized mental health care.

Affordable coverage is available now

With significant health challenges in Boone County, having health insurance is critical. Visit healthcare.gov or West Virginia's Medicaid office to find affordable plans and programs that support preventive and chronic disease care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Boone County

via RiskByCounty

Boone combines flood and wildfire risk

Boone County's composite risk score of 69.37 marks it as Relatively Low but above the national median, driven by exceptional flood risk of 85.02 and significant wildfire exposure. The county's coal-country geography creates this unusual hazard combination.

Upper tier of state risk

Boone's score of 69.37 places it well above West Virginia's 49.21 average, ranking among the higher-risk counties statewide. This elevated profile distinguishes Boone from most neighboring counties.

Wildfire risk sets Boone apart

While Boone shares flood concerns with neighbors like Cabell County (85.37), its wildfire risk of 74.27 is exceptional for the region. This dual threat is significantly higher than inland counties like Braxton (36.16).

Flood and wildfire are urgent concerns

Boone's flood risk of 85.02 and wildfire risk of 74.27 are the county's defining vulnerabilities, reflecting mountainous terrain and river systems. Tornado risk is minimal at 10.59, and earthquake risk is moderate at 38.80.

Flood and comprehensive coverage essential

Boone residents should invest in separate flood insurance and ensure homeowners policies include coverage for wildfire damage. With both hazards at elevated levels, layered protection is critical for property safety.

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.