CountyScore

Gilmer County

West Virginia · WV

#4 in West Virginia
76.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Gilmer County, West Virginia

Strong performer above national standard

Gilmer County scores 76.6 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This strong showing reflects the county's advantages across multiple livability dimensions compared to typical U.S. counties.

Outperforms West Virginia average

At 76.6, Gilmer scores above the state average of 72.2, ranking among West Virginia's better-performing counties. The county demonstrates consistent strengths across its measured dimensions.

Affordability and stability shine

Gilmer's greatest strengths are housing affordability (89.5) with median homes at $83,300 and exceptional risk management (88.6), indicating strong economic stability. Tax burden is also favorable at 88.0 with an effective rate of 0.51%.

Income remains the limiting factor

Income is the clear weak point at 16.7, with median household income of just $50,991, the lowest in this peer group. Health outcomes (64.0) also trail the state average and could be strengthened.

Perfect for affordable, stable retirement

Gilmer County appeals to retirees or fixed-income households seeking the most affordable housing in the state combined with economic stability. It's ideal for those whose income needs are modest or already met.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88Cost89.5SafetyComing SoonHealth64SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.7Risk88.6WaterComing Soon
🏛88
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.6
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 Gilmer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kittson County
Minnesota
76.6
Median income: $69,615
Catron County
New Mexico
76.6
Median income: $46,439
Piute County
Utah
76.6
Median income: $44,650
Wayne County
Utah
76.6
Median income: $70,074
Lexington city
Virginia
76.6
Median income: $89,598

Deep Dives

Gilmer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gilmer County

via TaxByCounty

Gilmer's tax rate slightly below national median

Gilmer County's effective tax rate of 0.507% sits just below the national median of 0.66%, offering modest tax relief compared to most U.S. counties. The median annual property tax of $422 on a $83,300 home represents just 16% of the national median tax of $2,690. This county ranks in approximately the 35th percentile nationally—nearly two-thirds of American counties impose heavier tax burdens.

In line with West Virginia average

Gilmer County's 0.507% effective rate sits just slightly above West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, placing it among the middle range statewide. The median property tax of $422 falls below the state median of $699, reflecting both the lower home values and similar rate structure. Gilmer represents a typical West Virginia property tax experience for residents.

More affordable than Fayette, Hancock, Doddridge

Gilmer's 0.507% rate beats Fayette's 0.662% and Hancock's 0.629%, offering meaningful savings for property owners. Grant County and Hardy County both edge lower at 0.331% and 0.367% respectively, while Greenbrier and Doddridge match Gilmer's competitive positioning. Among the regional cluster, Gilmer lands in the lower-middle tier for tax burden.

Median annual property tax: $422

A homeowner with an $83,300 property in Gilmer County pays approximately $422 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages pay slightly less at $293, while owners without mortgages pay $462, reflecting the way mortgage servicing affects tax bills. This represents one of the lowest absolute tax burdens in the eight-county region.

Even modest savings add up over time

Although Gilmer County's tax bills are relatively low, homeowners with overassessed properties can still recover meaningful dollars through appeals. Reducing a $422 bill by just 10% via a successful assessment challenge saves $42 annually, or $1,260 over 30 years. If your home was recently assessed, verifying the accuracy costs nothing and could confirm your tax burden is fair.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gilmer County

via CostByCounty

Gilmer faces the nation's rent squeeze

At 18.0%, Gilmer County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the worst in America, driven by a median household income of just $50,991 paired with $764 monthly rents. This combination leaves residents dedicating nearly one-fifth of earnings to housing—a burden well above national and state norms.

Least affordable county in West Virginia

Gilmer's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio tops all peer counties in this analysis, indicating severe affordability stress. Only Greenbrier and Hardy counties approach this level, but Gilmer's combination of low income and moderate rents creates the steepest burden statewide.

Lowest incomes, highest rent burden

Gilmer's $50,991 median household income is the lowest in the region, while $764 monthly rent is unremarkable—but together they create the steepest housing-to-income ratio. The median home value of $83,300 is also the cheapest, offering entry-level purchase prices but limited wealth-building.

One-fifth of income lost to rent

Renters spend $764 monthly while homeowners pay just $340, yet the rent burden still consumes 18.0% of household income. Even homeownership remains tight, as the median income of $50,991 leaves limited flexibility for other expenses.

Lowest prices hide income challenges

Gilmer's bargain housing comes attached to West Virginia's lowest median incomes, making it risky for job seekers. If stable, higher-wage employment exists in your industry here, the affordability is genuine; otherwise, compare neighboring counties' job markets before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gilmer County

via IncomeByCounty

Gilmer households earn significantly below national median

Gilmer County's median household income of $50,991 falls short of the national median ($74,755) by $23,764, or 32%. This substantial gap underscores Gilmer's position among the nation's lower-income counties.

Among West Virginia's lowest-earning counties

Gilmer County ranks near the bottom of West Virginia's income distribution at $50,991, trailing the state average of $54,746 by $3,755. Only a handful of state counties report lower median household incomes.

Lowest earnings in its regional cluster

Gilmer's $50,991 median household income is the second-lowest among its neighbors, surpassed only by Hardy County ($49,302). All other nearby counties—Doddridge, Grant, Hampshire, and Hancock—report significantly higher household earnings.

Housing costs consume large budget share

Gilmer's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio approaches affordability limits, and the per capita income of just $20,325 suggests income inequality within the county. Median home values of $83,300 are the lowest in the region, reflecting limited wealth accumulation.

Invest in skills and long-term planning

Gilmer residents earning $50,991 face real challenges in building wealth, but education, workforce training, and careful budgeting create pathways forward. Even small monthly savings and employer benefits can compound over decades into meaningful financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gilmer County

via HealthByCounty

Gilmer outperforms the nation

Gilmer County residents live to 75.2 years on average, nearly matching the U.S. average of 76.1 years despite West Virginia's lower regional profile. Just 24.3% report poor or fair health, putting Gilmer among healthier rural counties nationally.

Among West Virginia's healthiest

At 75.2 years, Gilmer's life expectancy exceeds the state average of 72.2 years by 3 years, ranking it among the stronger counties in West Virginia. This significant advantage reflects better chronic disease management and stronger community health outcomes statewide.

Steady health across the region

Gilmer's 75.2-year life expectancy sits solidly in the regional middle, outpacing Fayette (69.8 years) and Greenbrier (71.4 years) but trailing Doddridge (76.8 years). The 24.3% poor/fair health rate is comparable to nearby counties, suggesting consistent rural health patterns in the region.

Good access, lingering coverage gaps

Gilmer has 41 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and solid mental health provider capacity, supporting care access across the county. However, the 9.1% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.6%, meaning nearly 1 in 11 residents lack health coverage and face financial vulnerability.

Close the coverage gap today

With above-average uninsured rates, finding affordable coverage is essential for Gilmer families to protect health and finances. Explore options at healthcare.gov, check if you qualify for Medicaid expansion, and contact local health departments for enrollment assistance.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gilmer County

via RiskByCounty

Gilmer County among America's safest

Gilmer County's composite risk score of 11.45 and Very Low rating place it among the safest counties in the entire United States. This exceptional resilience reflects minimal exposure to most major natural disaster types.

West Virginia's lowest-risk county

Gilmer County's score of 11.45 ranks it as the safest county in West Virginia, well below the state average of 49.21. The county's protected status reflects its geography and relatively small exposure to major hazards.

Significantly safer than surrounding areas

Gilmer's score of 11.45 dramatically outperforms neighboring Doddridge County (14.44), Grant County (33.17), and Hancock County (40.68). The county benefits from terrain and climate patterns that minimize wildfire, tornado, and seismic activity.

Flood and hurricane risks are modest

Gilmer's primary natural disaster exposures are flooding (39.22) and hurricane impact (41.80), both moderate rather than severe. Wildfire risk is nearly negligible at 1.34, and tornado danger is minimal at 4.64.

Basic flood precautions offer strong protection

Even in exceptionally safe Gilmer County, flood coverage protects against the primary local hazard with a risk score of 39.22. Homeowners in flood-prone areas should maintain NFIP or private flood insurance as a cost-effective safeguard.

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.