CountyScore

Braxton County

West Virginia · WV

#12 in West Virginia
74.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Braxton County, West Virginia

Braxton ranks in nation's upper tier

Braxton County achieves a composite score of 74.9, nearly 50% above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the top-performing counties nationwide. This reflects exceptional affordability and strong tax advantages that resonate with budget-conscious Americans.

Tops West Virginia averages

At 74.9, Braxton County exceeds the state average of 72.2, ranking among West Virginia's strongest counties overall. The county demonstrates that rural West Virginia can deliver strong livability outcomes.

Most affordable housing in region

Braxton County's cost score of 92.6 is the highest among these eight counties, with median home values of $106,400 and rent at just $578 monthly. Combined with excellent tax efficiency (89.6), the county offers unmatched affordability.

Limited income and health resources

The county's income score of 12.4 reflects a median household income of $44,449, among the lowest in the group, offering limited career advancement. Health metrics (61.2) also suggest gaps in healthcare access or wellness outcomes.

Champion of affordability and low taxes

Braxton County suits retirees, fixed-income families, and those escaping high cost-of-living areas who need minimal spending requirements. The exceptional composite score masks modest income potential, making it ideal for those with existing savings or pensions.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.6Cost92.6SafetyComing SoonHealth61.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.4Risk63.9WaterComing Soon
🏛89.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠92.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡63.9
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 Braxton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Haines Borough
Alaska
74.9
Median income: $72,607
Costilla County
Colorado
74.9
Median income: $36,519
Brown County
Indiana
74.9
Median income: $72,644
Allen Parish
Louisiana
74.9
Median income: $51,138
Pickett County
Tennessee
74.9
Median income: $44,591

Deep Dives

Braxton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Braxton County

via TaxByCounty

Braxton's rate is well below national average

Braxton County's 0.450% effective tax rate is comfortably below the national median of 0.81%, placing it in the lowest quartile nationally. At $479, the median property tax is less than one-fifth the national median of $2,690.

Braxton ranks among West Virginia's lowest

Braxton's 0.450% rate falls just below the state average of 0.497%, ranking it as one of the more tax-friendly counties statewide. The median tax of $479 is about 31% lower than the state average of $699.

Braxton vs. adjacent counties

Braxton's rate is slightly higher than Barbour (0.427%) and Calhoun (0.397%) but substantially lower than Cabell (0.634%) and Boone (0.650%). It ranks among the more affordable options in its regional peer group.

Your annual property tax in Braxton

On the median home value of $106,400, you'll pay approximately $479 per year—about $40 monthly. Homeowners with mortgages pay $594, slightly higher due to escrow requirements.

Could you be overassessed?

Even in low-tax counties like Braxton, some properties are valued above their fair market worth. A simple appeal process could verify your assessment and potentially lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Braxton County

via CostByCounty

Braxton ranks among nation's most affordable

Braxton County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the national affordability threshold of 15%, making it one of West Virginia's better housing markets. With median household income of $44,449 and rent at just $578 monthly, Braxton offers genuine affordability for lower-income households.

Braxton beats statewide affordability average

At 15.6%, Braxton's rent-to-income ratio edges below West Virginia's statewide average of 16.9%, placing it among the state's most affordable counties. Median rent of $578 is the lowest in this dataset, reflecting Braxton's rural character and lower demand.

Braxton offers cheapest regional rents

Braxton's $578 median rent substantially undercuts neighboring Boone ($823), Calhoun ($483), and Clay ($589) counties. While Calhoun edges slightly lower, Braxton's stronger median income of $44,449 creates a better overall affordability profile than its neighbors.

Braxton's affordable housing across tenures

Residents earning a median $44,449 annually pay just $578 on rent (15.6% of income) or $374 on mortgages (10.1%). Both renters and homeowners enjoy reasonable affordability in Braxton, with median home values sitting at just $106,400.

Braxton County: West Virginia's affordability leader

Seeking true affordability in Appalachia? Braxton County delivers the region's lowest rent at $578 monthly and respectable median incomes of $44,449. Whether renting or buying, households here spend less on housing than nearly any other West Virginia county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Braxton County

via IncomeByCounty

Braxton struggles far below national income

Braxton County's median household income of $44,449 ranks 41% below the U.S. median of $74,755, marking it among the lowest-income counties in America. This severe gap reflects limited job diversity and the structural decline of coal and timber industries in rural West Virginia.

Among West Virginia's poorest counties

Braxton County's $44,449 median household income falls significantly below the state average of $54,746, ranking in the bottom tier of West Virginia's 55 counties. Per capita income of $23,349 trails the state average of $30,335, indicating few high-earning residents.

Poorest among nearby counties

Braxton's median household income of $44,449 ranks lowest among its immediate peers: Boone ($56,152), Barbour ($48,347), and Clay ($42,790) are the closest comparables. Only Calhoun County ($41,421) and Clay approach Braxton's income levels in the surrounding area.

Low rent burden masks income challenges

Braxton's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% is the healthiest in this profile, partly because low rents reflect depressed property values rather than affordable housing. The median home value of $106,400 is modest, but low household incomes make even this price challenging for first-time buyers.

Start small, build consistent habits

In communities with lower median incomes like Braxton, focus on high-impact, low-cost strategies: keep an emergency fund of just $500–$1,000 to avoid debt spirals, use free retirement accounts, and seek employer matches. Even modest contributions to savings accumulate when compound interest works over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Braxton County

via HealthByCounty

Above-average life expectancy, mixed health picture

Braxton County residents live to 73.5 years on average, exceeding both West Virginia (72.2 years) and narrowing the gap with the U.S. average of 78.0 years. However, 26.9% report poor or fair health, indicating significant chronic disease despite longer life expectancy.

Upper-tier life expectancy in West Virginia

Braxton County's 73.5-year life expectancy places it in the top tier of West Virginia's 55 counties. The 8.2% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 7.6%, suggesting some residents face coverage gaps.

Highest life expectancy among eight counties

Braxton's 73.5 years ties or exceeds all comparison counties, surpassing Berkeley (73.3), Brooke (73.1), and significantly leading Boone (68.9) and Clay (69.3). However, the 26.9% poor/fair health rate remains concerning despite strong longevity metrics.

Strong primary care, moderate mental health support

Braxton offers 49 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the third-highest among these counties—and 99 mental health providers. With 8.2% uninsured, the county still has room to improve health insurance coverage.

Close coverage gaps in your community

Braxton's 8.2% uninsured rate means nearly one in twelve residents lack health coverage. Contact the West Virginia Medicaid office or visit healthcare.gov to find affordable options that fit your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Braxton County

via RiskByCounty

Braxton offers strong natural disaster safety

Braxton County's composite risk score of 36.16 earns a Very Low rating, placing it well below the national average. The county's rural, inland location shields it from major hazard exposure.

Among safest counties in state

Braxton's score of 36.16 sits significantly below West Virginia's 49.21 average, ranking the county among the safest in the state. Only a few counties share this favorable risk profile.

Safe haven in central WV

Braxton is substantially safer than neighboring Boone County (69.37) and Brooke County (54.23), offering residents more protection from major natural hazards. Its low-risk status is one of the county's geographic advantages.

Flood dominates modest risk profile

Braxton's flood risk of 63.58 represents its primary vulnerability, though still moderate by state standards. Wildfire and tornado risks are extremely low at 5.44 and 6.58 respectively.

Standard coverage provides solid protection

Braxton residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance with flood coverage consideration, particularly in low-lying areas near streams. The county's overall low-risk environment means standard protections are generally sufficient.

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.