CountyScore

Fayette County

West Virginia · WV

#44 in West Virginia
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Fayette County, West Virginia

Solid performance above national baseline

Fayette County scores 69.2 on the composite index, substantially above the national median of 50.0. While not in the highest tier, this places the county well above average for livability across the United States.

Slightly below West Virginia average

Fayette's 69.2 score falls just below the state average of 72.2, positioning it in the middle range of West Virginia counties. The county is competitive but not among the state's top performers.

Affordability remains the standout

Fayette delivers strong affordability with a cost score of 85.6 and median home values at just $104,200, among the lowest in the region. Tax burden is also favorable at 83.6, with an effective rate of 0.66%.

Risk and income need attention

Risk is the county's weakest dimension at 46.6, suggesting economic volatility or uncertainty, and income lags significantly at 17.8 with a median household income of $52,672. Health outcomes (57.8) also trail state and regional benchmarks.

Best for those prioritizing affordability

Fayette suits budget-conscious individuals and families willing to accept lower incomes and some economic uncertainty for extremely low housing costs. It appeals to those seeking an entry-level living situation or planning substantial lifestyle changes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.6Cost85.6SafetyComing SoonHealth57.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.8Risk46.6WaterComing Soon
🏛83.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡46.6
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 Fayette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sierra County
California
69.2
Median income: $60,000
Teller County
Colorado
69.2
Median income: $80,666
Haralson County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $65,016
White County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $69,747
Stark County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $62,284

Deep Dives

Fayette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fayette County

via TaxByCounty

Fayette taxes exceed national average significantly

Fayette County's effective tax rate of 0.662% surpasses the national median of 0.66%, placing it among higher-tax counties nationwide. Despite a modest median home value of $104,200, residents pay $690 annually—still just a quarter of the national median tax of $2,690. This county ranks approximately in the 65th percentile nationally, meaning two-thirds of U.S. counties tax property less aggressively.

Highest tax rate in West Virginia comparison

Fayette County's 0.662% effective rate is the highest among all eight counties analyzed here and well above West Virginia's state average of 0.497%. The median property tax of $690 nearly matches the state median despite a much lower home value, reflecting the steeper rate burden on residents. Fayette stands as one of the more expensive counties for property taxation across the state.

Significantly pricier than surrounding counties

Fayette's 0.662% rate dwarfs neighboring Greenbrier County's 0.470% and Grant County's 0.331%, making it the most expensive option in the region. Even Hancock County, the second-highest at 0.629%, provides slightly better relief for Fayette residents. This tax burden makes Fayette among the least affordable counties for property owners in central West Virginia.

Median annual property tax: $690

A homeowner with a $104,200 property in Fayette County pays approximately $690 annually, or $866 with a mortgage factored in. Those without mortgages typically pay $539, showing how servicing fees affect the final bill. Over 30 years, this amounts to roughly $20,700 in property taxes on a median-valued home.

Assessment appeals could recover hundreds yearly

Given Fayette's higher tax rate, overassessments hit harder on residents' wallets—making an appeal especially worthwhile. Many Fayette County homeowners discover their assessed values exceed actual market value, creating a strong case for reduction. Filing an appeal costs nothing and could save you hundreds annually if successful.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fayette County

via CostByCounty

Fayette's affordability gap widens nationally

Fayette County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% exceeds both the state average (16.9%) and reflects tighter affordability than most U.S. counties. With median household income at $52,672—$22,083 below the national median—residents face compounded pressure despite rents that appear low in isolation.

Among West Virginia's least affordable

Fayette's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks it below most state peers, signaling housing stress relative to local earnings. The county's median income trails the state average, amplifying the burden even though rents themselves remain modest.

Cheapest rents but weakest incomes

Fayette's $777 monthly rent is the lowest across peer counties, yet its $52,672 median household income is among the weakest. Homeownership costs $583 monthly with a median home value of $104,200, the lowest in the comparison group.

17.7% of income goes to rent

Renters spend $777 monthly on housing, consuming 17.7% of the typical household's $52,672 income. Homeowners pay $583 monthly, but even this modest cost strains budgets in a county where income growth lags state and national trends.

Lowest costs come with income trade-offs

Fayette offers the region's cheapest rents and home prices, but relocating here means accepting lower wage prospects than neighboring counties. Compare local job markets carefully before moving—affordability gains vanish if income declines.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Fayette households earn below state average

Fayette County's median household income of $52,672 trails both the West Virginia average ($54,746) and the national median ($74,755) by significant margins. The $22,083 gap to the national average reflects Fayette's economic challenges.

Below-average earnings within West Virginia

Fayette County ranks below the state median, placing it among the lower-earning counties in West Virginia. At $52,672, household income here lags the state average by $2,074.

Struggles compared to regional counties

Fayette's $52,672 median household income trails several neighboring counties including Doddridge ($61,164), Grant ($61,530), and Hampshire ($60,299). Only Gilmer ($50,991) and Hardy ($49,302) report lower household incomes in the immediate region.

Housing costs strain household budgets

At 17.7%, Fayette's rent-to-income ratio approaches the 30% affordability threshold, signaling housing cost pressure for median earners. Median home values of $104,200 remain relatively affordable, but renters may face tighter monthly finances.

Strategic saving is critical in Fayette

With median income near state lows, building financial resilience matters more than ever in Fayette County. Explore low-cost investing options, employer retirement plans, and community financial counseling to protect your $52,672 household income against unexpected expenses.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fayette County

via HealthByCounty

Fayette faces significant health challenges

At 69.8 years, Fayette County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by more than 6 years—among the lowest in America. With 27.7% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county faces one of the steepest health burdens in the nation.

Struggling even for West Virginia

Fayette's 69.8-year life expectancy falls nearly 2.5 years below the state average of 72.2 years, ranking it among West Virginia's most challenged counties. The 27.7% poor/fair health rate is significantly higher than the state median, signaling widespread chronic disease and health inequities.

The county health gap is real

Fayette trails most neighboring counties: Doddridge (76.8 years), Gilmer (75.2 years), and Greenbrier (71.4 years) all report higher life expectancy. This gap suggests deeper structural health challenges specific to Fayette that extend beyond regional patterns.

Strong provider access, complex barriers

Fayette has 40 primary care providers and 90 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—well above county averages—yet faces persistent health disparities. A 7.8% uninsured rate, nearly 2 points above state average, suggests financial barriers and health system navigation challenges limit care access for many.

Get covered and get help

With higher rates of uninsurance and health challenges, securing coverage is crucial for Fayette families. Visit healthcare.gov today to explore Medicaid, ACA marketplace plans, and local health program options that can help you access the care you need.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fayette County

via RiskByCounty

Fayette's risk slightly above state average

Fayette County's composite risk score of 53.44 and Relatively Low rating place it modestly above West Virginia's state average of 49.21. Nationally, this score indicates moderate but manageable natural disaster exposure.

Mid-range risk among West Virginia counties

With a score of 53.44, Fayette ranks in the middle tier of West Virginia counties, where the average is 49.21. The county faces more significant hazard exposure than Doddridge or Gilmer but less than Greenbrier County.

Moderate risk in southern West Virginia cluster

Fayette's score of 53.44 sits between Greenbrier County (75.76) to the south and Hardy County (42.46) to the north. The county faces higher earthquake and wildfire risk than most of its immediate neighbors.

Flooding and earthquakes pose greatest threats

Fayette residents face substantial flood risk (72.93) and earthquake exposure (52.26), making these the county's primary concerns. Wildfire risk is also notable at 49.52, while tornado danger remains relatively low at 10.69.

Prioritize flood and earthquake preparedness

Fayette's flood risk score of 72.93 makes flood insurance critical, especially in low-lying areas and near waterways. Consider earthquake coverage or retrofit assessments for older structures, given the county's 52.26 seismic risk score.

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.