CountyScore

Cabell County

West Virginia · WV

#54 in West Virginia
65.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Cabell County, West Virginia

Cabell ranks solidly above national median

Cabell County scores 65.8, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 32%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects meaningful advantages in affordability and tax burden compared to national averages.

Underperforms West Virginia average

At 65.8, Cabell County falls below the state average of 72.2 by about 9%, ranking in the lower half of West Virginia counties. The gap suggests room for improvement in multiple livability dimensions.

Reasonable costs and tax efficiency

Cabell County offers solid housing affordability (81.1) with median home values at $156,100 and favorable tax rates (84.4) at 0.634%. These attributes provide a foundation for budget-conscious living in an urban-adjacent setting.

Risk exposure and income constraints

The county's risk score of 14.6 is dramatically the lowest among these eight counties, indicating significant exposure to hazards or environmental challenges. Income (17.9) remains modest at a median of $52,828, limiting upward mobility for residents.

Good for cautious families seeking stability

Cabell County suits risk-aware families prioritizing stable housing costs and reasonable taxes over high income potential or strong growth prospects. The lower composite score reflects real tradeoffs that prospective residents should carefully evaluate.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.4Cost81.1SafetyComing SoonHealth59.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.9Risk14.6WaterComing Soon
🏛84.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.6
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 Cabell County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
Arkansas
65.8
Median income: $48,552
Kent County
Delaware
65.8
Median income: $72,872
Citrus County
Florida
65.8
Median income: $55,355
Jefferson County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $46,561
Polk County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $55,308

Deep Dives

Cabell County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cabell County

via TaxByCounty

Cabell's rate trails the national median

Cabell County's 0.634% effective tax rate falls below the national median of 0.81%, positioning it in the lower-middle range nationally. The median tax of $989 remains well under the national median of $2,690.

Cabell ranks among West Virginia's highest

At 0.634%, Cabell County has one of the state's steepest effective tax rates, exceeding the state average of 0.497% by nearly 28%. The median tax of $989 is 41% above the state average of $699.

Cabell vs. regional peer counties

Cabell's 0.634% rate ranks among the highest in the regional comparison, exceeded only by Boone (0.650%). This makes Cabell a more expensive option for property owners compared to most neighboring counties.

Your annual property tax in Cabell

On the median home value of $156,100, you'll pay approximately $989 per year—or about $82 monthly. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,160 due to escrow requirements.

Could you be overassessed?

In higher-tax counties like Cabell, assessment errors can cost hundreds of dollars annually. Filing an appeal to verify your property's valuation is a straightforward step that often yields significant savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cabell County

via CostByCounty

Cabell's rents strain above national threshold

Cabell County's 19.9% rent-to-income ratio far exceeds the national affordability benchmark of 15%, making housing a significant budget burden here. Despite median household income of $52,828, residents spend nearly one-fifth of earnings on rent—a sign of housing-cost stress.

Cabell ties Barbour for worst affordability

At 19.9%, Cabell County shares West Virginia's highest rent-to-income burden with Barbour County, both well above the statewide average of 16.9%. Cabell's median rent of $877 reflects its position as the state's largest metropolitan area, where housing demand drives up costs.

Cabell's metro costs outpace rural peers

Cabell's $877 median rent significantly exceeds smaller rural counties like Boone ($823), Braxton ($578), and Clay ($589). The 19.9% rent burden places Cabell alongside Barbour—both must be approached cautiously by renters with modest incomes.

Cabell's rental crisis versus ownership advantage

Cabell households earn a median $52,828 and face a steep $877 monthly rent (19.9% of income) but more manageable $753 mortgages (17.1%). Homeownership remains more affordable than renting here, though both require substantial housing budgets compared to rural counties.

Huntington's affordability trade-offs

Cabell County (home to Huntington) offers urban amenities but at a rental cost—median rent hits $877 monthly with a 19.9% burden. Consider whether metro benefits outweigh housing costs; compare Cabell to rural alternatives before relocating to West Virginia's largest city.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cabell County

via IncomeByCounty

Cabell trails U.S. income benchmarks

Cabell County's median household income of $52,828 falls 29% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting economic challenges in the Huntington metro area despite being West Virginia's second-largest city. The county's per capita income of $32,399 suggests some higher earners support the overall average.

Below state average, significant county

Cabell County's $52,828 median household income ranks below the state average of $54,746 despite being home to Huntington, the state's largest metro area and economic hub. Its per capita income of $32,399 exceeds the state average of $30,335, indicating concentrations of professional and service workers.

Urban center amid rural struggles

Cabell's $52,828 median household income outpaces most rural neighbors—Braxton ($44,449), Clay ($42,790), and Calhoun ($41,421)—but lags Boone ($56,152) and falls far behind Berkeley ($77,329). As the region's urban center, Cabell should rank higher, signaling Huntington's broader economic challenges.

Housing costs squeeze household budgets

Cabell County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% sits at the upper limit of affordability, meaning urban renters dedicate a fifth of income to housing. The median home value of $156,100 reflects urban location but creates down-payment barriers for lower-income households earning near the median.

Navigate Huntington's urban opportunities

Cabell residents should prioritize reducing housing cost burden to free capital for investing—consider first-time homebuyer programs or shared housing arrangements. With professional opportunities in Huntington's healthcare, education, and government sectors, seek employers offering 401(k) matches and financial wellness programs.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cabell County

via HealthByCounty

Low life expectancy despite urban resources

Cabell County's 69.5-year life expectancy trails both West Virginia (72.2 years) by 2.7 years and the U.S. average (78.0 years) by 8.5 years. With 25.1% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces significant health disparities despite being home to Marshall University and major hospitals.

Urban county ranks below state average

Cabell County's 69.5-year life expectancy places it in the lower half of West Virginia's 55 counties, an unexpected result given its urban Huntington population and healthcare infrastructure. The 7.8% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 7.6%.

Opioid crisis shadow over otherwise resourced area

Cabell's 69.5-year life expectancy falls between Boone (68.9) and Calhoun (71.5), suggesting shared regional challenges despite Cabell's significantly larger provider base. The county's health outcomes trail less-resourced neighbors like Braxton (73.5) and Berkeley (73.3).

Unmatched provider capacity, persistent health crises

Cabell County leads these eight counties with 168 primary care and 386 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—reflecting Huntington's urban medical presence and Marshall University resources. Yet opioid overdoses and substance use disorders continue driving down life expectancy despite abundant care options.

Use Cabell's resources to get covered

Cabell's healthcare infrastructure makes it easier to find coverage and care than most West Virginia counties. Visit Marshall University's health clinics or Huntington area federally qualified health centers to explore affordable insurance and treatment options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cabell County

via RiskByCounty

Cabell faces highest state-level risks

Cabell County's composite risk score of 85.37 earns a Relatively Moderate rating, making it one of West Virginia's highest-risk counties. The score significantly exceeds the national average across multiple hazard categories.

Highest composite risk in state

Cabell's score of 85.37 towers above West Virginia's 49.21 average, marking it as the state's most vulnerable county overall. This elevated profile reflects exceptional exposure to multiple natural hazards.

Clear hazard leader in region

Cabell significantly outranks neighboring Boone County (69.37) and Berkeley County (68.26) in overall composite risk. The county's concentration of hazards makes it substantially more vulnerable than surrounding areas.

Flood, wildfire, earthquake converge

Cabell faces severe flood risk (91.92), major wildfire exposure (69.24), and elevated earthquake risk (71.79), making it vulnerable to multiple simultaneous hazards. Tornado risk of 55.09 adds another significant layer of concern.

Comprehensive protection absolutely essential

Cabell residents must invest in flood insurance, earthquake coverage, and ensure homeowners policies cover wildfire damage—standard coverage is insufficient. Consultation with an insurance agent about multi-hazard protection is critical for property security.

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.