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Brooke County, West Virginia — County Report Card

WV

#5 in West Virginia

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
70.7
County Score
Cost of Living 91.2Lawn Care 83Property Tax 81.6

County Report Card

About Brooke County, West Virginia

Elite Livability in the Northern Panhandle

Brooke County delivers a strong composite score of 70.7, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. It ranks among the top-performing counties in the United States for overall quality of life. The county benefits from a rare mix of high safety and low cost.

Outperforming the Mountain State Average

At 70.7, Brooke County sits nearly nine points above the West Virginia state average of 62.0. It serves as a model for the state, combining an effective tax rate of 0.540% with high-performing schools. It consistently ranks as one of the most desirable counties in West Virginia.

Top-Rated Schools and High Safety

The county boasts a school score of 78.7 and a safety score of 77.3, both of which are exceptional. Affordability is also a major strength, with a cost score of 91.2 and median gross rent at just $603. These factors create a secure and accessible environment for all residents.

Economic Growth and Water Quality Needs

Despite high livability, the income score is relatively low at 18.8, with a median household income of $52,116. Water quality also presents an area for improvement, currently scoring 34.4. The risk score of 45.8 suggests some moderate exposure to natural or environmental hazards.

The Premier Choice for Family Life

Brooke County is an ideal destination for families who prioritize education and personal safety above all else. Its extremely high school and safety scores, combined with low housing costs, offer a value proposition that is hard to beat. It is a standout choice for those looking for a high-quality, quiet life.

2040608010081.691.277.348.578.718.845.834.461.3Tax81.6Cost91.2Safety77.3Health48.5Schools78.7Income18.8Risk45.8Water34.4Weather61.370.7/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Brooke County DNA

Coverall

How Brooke County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Brooke County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (91.2/100) but notably weak in Income (18.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
81.6+29.599999999999994
Cost
91.2+43.2
Safety
77.3+22.299999999999997
Health
48.5
Schools
78.7+24.700000000000003
Income
18.8-32.2
Risk
45.8
Water
34.4-23.6
Weather
61.3
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Brooke County?

Many homeowners in Brooke County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$127,700

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$603/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$127,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$24,120/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $52,116/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

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Cumberland County
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LaSalle Parish
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Mitchell County
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Nearby counties

Jefferson County
Ohio
47.8
Ohio County
West Virginia
66.6
Hancock County
West Virginia
67
Washington County
Pennsylvania
55.1
Belmont County
Ohio
58.5
Marshall County
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56.8
Beaver County
Pennsylvania
50.3
Harrison County
Ohio
54.6

Deep Dives

Brooke County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Brooke County

via TaxByCounty

Brooke's rate is substantially below national

Brooke County's 0.540% effective tax rate is considerably lower than the national median of 0.81%, putting it in the lower half of U.S. counties. The median tax of $690 is about one-quarter the national median of $2,690.

Brooke ranks slightly above state average

At 0.540%, Brooke's rate exceeds the West Virginia average of 0.497%, placing it in the upper-middle tier statewide. The median tax of $690 nearly matches the state average of $699.

Brooke compared to nearby counties

Brooke's 0.540% rate sits between Barbour (0.427%) and Cabell (0.634%), making it moderate for the region. Its median home value of $127,700 is comparable to Barbour, though the tax rate is slightly higher.

Your annual property tax in Brooke

On the median home value of $127,700, you'll pay approximately $690 annually—roughly $58 per month. With a mortgage, the figure rises to $782 due to escrow arrangements.

Could you be overassessed?

If your Brooke County tax bill seems steep, an assessment appeal might be worth your time and effort. Many homeowners find their properties are overvalued and successfully reduce their annual obligations through the appeal process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Brooke County

via CostByCounty

Brooke beats national affordability standard

Brooke County's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national affordability threshold of 15%, making it one of the nation's more affordable housing markets. With median household income of $52,116 and rent at just $603 monthly, Brooke offers solid housing value.

Brooke ranks among West Virginia's best

At 13.9%, Brooke County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's best, well below West Virginia's 16.9% statewide average. This northern panhandle county demonstrates that affordability exists even in more accessible parts of the state.

Brooke offers northern panhandle value

Brooke's $603 median rent ranks among the region's lowest, undercut only by Calhoun County ($483) while remaining competitive with Clay ($589). At 13.9%, Brooke's rent burden is the lowest in this dataset, delivering exceptional affordability for renters.

Brooke's balanced ownership advantage

Households earning $52,116 annually allocate just $603 to rent (13.9% of income) but more—$581 monthly (13.4%)—to mortgage payments. The comparable affordability between renting and buying is unusual; both paths remain accessible to median-income households in Brooke.

Brooke County: Northern panhandle bargain

If proximity to Pittsburgh appeals and affordability matters, Brooke County delivers West Virginia's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 13.9%. With median homes valued at $127,700 and rents just $603 monthly, Brooke rewards residents seeking accessible housing without sacrificing location.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Brooke County

via IncomeByCounty

Brooke's income gap from national norm

Brooke County's median household income of $52,116 falls 30% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting broader economic headwinds in northern West Virginia. However, Brooke's per capita income of $32,157 exceeds its median household income rank, suggesting pockets of higher earners.

Below-average earner in state rankings

At $52,116, Brooke County's median household income ranks below the state average of $54,746, placing it in the lower-middle tier of West Virginia's counties. Despite this, its per capita income of $32,157 edges above the state average of $30,335, indicating some wealth concentration.

Stronger than struggling peers

Brooke's $52,116 median household income trails Berkeley County ($77,329) substantially but exceeds southern neighbors like Braxton ($44,449), Clay ($42,790), and Calhoun ($41,421). Within its northern region, Brooke represents a moderate-income baseline, though still 4% below state average.

Lowest rent burden in profile

Brooke County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% is the best among these eight counties, well below the 15-20% healthy threshold, meaning renters enjoy exceptional affordability. The median home value of $127,700 pairs with this moderate income to create reasonable homeownership opportunities.

Leverage Brooke's housing affordability

Brooke residents benefit from the lowest rent burden in the region—use this advantage to fund retirement accounts and investment savings beyond housing costs. Consider building equity through homeownership early, as median home values remain accessible relative to household earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Brooke County

via CrimeByCounty

Top-Tier National Safety Score

Brooke County is exceptionally safe, earning a safety score of 99.1. Its total crime rate of 541.4 per 100,000 residents is roughly one-fourth of the national average.

West Virginia's Safety Standout

Ten reporting agencies collaborate to keep Brooke County well below the state average crime rate of 949.0. Its safety score exceeds the West Virginia average by a notable margin.

Quiet Streets in the North

Brooke is one of the safest counties in the region, with crime rates significantly lower than nearby Barbour or Braxton. Its violent crime rate of 116.3 is nearly half the state average.

Minimal Crime Incidence

Property crime sits at 425.1 per 100,000, while violent crime remains very low at 116.3. These numbers reflect a community where serious incidents are infrequent.

Maintaining Local Peace of Mind

Maintaining a well-lit home exterior and joining local safety apps can help preserve these low crime rates. Community involvement remains a key factor in keeping Brooke County secure.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Brooke County

via SchoolsByCounty

Brooke County's Streamlined School System

The county manages 7 public schools, featuring a specialized structure of 4 elementary campuses, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. These facilities serve a total enrollment of 2,479 students.

Top-Tier Performance and Higher Investment

Brooke County boasts a 97.0% graduation rate and a school score of 59.1, well above the state average of 56.7. The county invests $7,875 per pupil, which exceeds the state average and helps drive these strong results.

United Schools of Brooke County

Brooke County Schools manages all 7 campuses and the entire 2,479 student population. There are no charter schools, though the district does provide alternative school options for specialized student needs.

Suburban Comfort and Moderate School Sizes

The county features a mix of 4 suburban and 3 rural schools, with an average school size of 413 students. Brooke High School is a significant regional center with 1,033 students, offering a broad curriculum for local teens.

Exceptional Schools for Your Next Move

With school scores and graduation rates that lead the region, Brooke County is a premier destination for educational quality. Homes here provide access to a well-funded district that consistently outperforms state benchmarks.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Brooke County

via RiskByCounty

Brooke's risk moderately above national norm

Brooke County's composite risk score of 54.23 earns a Relatively Low rating, sitting modestly above the national average. The county's position in the Northern Panhandle creates exposure to multiple hazard types.

Mid-range risk for West Virginia

Brooke's score of 54.23 slightly exceeds West Virginia's 49.21 average, placing it in the state's moderate-risk tier. The county faces somewhat elevated exposure compared to inland neighbors.

Riskier than Barbour, safer than Berkeley

Brooke faces higher risks than nearby Barbour County (24.01) and Braxton County (36.16), but lower exposure than the more vulnerable Berkeley County (68.26). Its position reflects the transitional hazard environment of northern West Virginia.

Flood risk dominates hazard profile

Brooke's flood risk of 75.67 and hurricane exposure of 52.48 represent the county's primary concerns, related to Ohio River proximity and eastern storm systems. Wildfire and earthquake risks remain modest at 16.29 and 29.29.

Flood insurance highly recommended

Brooke residents near the Ohio River or flood-prone areas should strongly consider separate flood insurance beyond standard homeowners coverage. Comprehensive protection is especially important for properties in vulnerable zones.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Brooke County

via WaterByCounty

Compliance Violations Impact Grade

Brooke County receives an F grade due to 18 health violations over the past five years. However, its rate of 49.0 violations per 100K residents remains lower than the statewide average of 173.7.

Few Water Bodies Fully Assessed

Only 2 water bodies in Brooke County have been assessed, with zero percent impairment reported for the 2022 cycle. This small sample size matches the state-wide reporting average but covers very few local miles.

Minimal Water Monitoring Infrastructure

Data collection is sparse, with only 3 monitoring sites and 102 total measurements recorded over five years. Current monitoring efforts focus on inorganic substances and metals in the county's water supply.

No Live Gauges in Operation

Brooke County lacks a primary USGS streamgage to provide live discharge or flow percentage data. Without a representative gauge, real-time impacts on source water volume cannot be measured.

Consider Independent Water Testing

Given the F grade and the 18 recorded violations, residents should prioritize home testing or high-quality filtration systems. The lack of monitoring and live flow data means residents must rely more heavily on utility-provided reports.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Soil Quality in Brooke County

via SoilByCounty

The Hidden Soils of Brooke

Specific soil data including pH, taxonomic order, and overall score are currently unavailable for Brooke County. Historically, northern panhandle soils tend to mirror the regional trends of acidity and forest-derived structure. Local testing is the most reliable way to identify your specific soil identity.

Determining Local Soil Texture

There is currently no data on the exact percentages of sand, silt, and clay for this area. Residents often find a mix of silty loams that are characteristic of the Ohio River Valley. Observing how your soil feels—gritty, smooth, or sticky—can help you estimate its composition.

Assessing Potential for Growth

Data regarding organic matter and available water capacity are not present in current records. Despite this gap, the region's agricultural history suggests a capable landscape for local food production. We recommend a professional soil test to unlock the hidden potential of your specific plot.

Hydrology and Drainage Management

Drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not formally documented for this county. You can test your own drainage by digging a hole, filling it with water, and timing how long it takes to empty. This simple test is crucial for planning successful gardens or construction projects.

Gardening Success in Zone 6b

Brooke County sits in Hardiness Zone 6b, a versatile zone for everything from apple trees to kale. Even without specific data, the climate is favorable for a wide variety of mid-Atlantic plants. Don't let a lack of data stop you—start a garden and learn your soil by hand.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Brooke County

via LawnByCounty

Brooke County Leads in Easy Lawn Care

Brooke County boasts an impressive lawn difficulty score of 83.0, the highest in this group and far above the state average of 66.5. This high score suggests that local conditions are exceptionally well-suited for low-maintenance turf. It is nearly 70% easier to grow a lawn here than in the average American county.

Ideal Rainfall and Cool Summers

Annual precipitation of 42.4 inches falls right into the 'ideal' 30-50 inch bucket for turfgrass. The county enjoys mild summers with only 11 extreme heat days, significantly lower than the state average of 17. These cooler conditions prevent the summer burnout often seen in southern West Virginia.

Prepare Your Own Soil Success

Specific soil data for pH and texture is currently unavailable for Brooke County. Given the regional trends, you should perform a local soil test to check for the acidity common in the Northern Panhandle. Most neighbors in Zone 6b benefit from adding organic compost to improve local soil health.

Low Drought Risk for Northern Lawns

Brooke County only faced 9 weeks of drought last year and is currently reporting no abnormally dry conditions. This stability, combined with low heat stress, makes it easy to maintain a green lawn without constant irrigation. Rain barrels are still a great local option for sustainable gardening during brief dry weeks.

Thriving in the Northern Panhandle

The 6b hardiness zone is the sweet spot for cool-season grasses like Perennial Ryegrass. While specific frost dates for this county are not recorded, you should follow the general regional pattern of seeding in late August or early September. This timing allows the grass to establish itself during the county's mild, wet autumn.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brooke County's county score?
Brooke County, West Virginia has a composite county score of 70.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Brooke County rank among counties in West Virginia?
Brooke County ranks #5 among all counties in West Virginia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Brooke County, West Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Brooke County is $690, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Brooke County a tax score of 81.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Brooke County?
The median household income in Brooke County, West Virginia is $52,116 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Brooke County earns an income score of 18.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Brooke County, West Virginia a good place to live?
Brooke County scores 70.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in West Virginia. The best way to evaluate Brooke County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Brooke County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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