CountyScore

Greenbrier County

West Virginia · WV

#45 in West Virginia
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Greenbrier County, West Virginia

Above average, significant advantages

Greenbrier County scores 69.1 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This indicates the county offers better-than-average livability conditions compared to most U.S. counties.

Slightly below state average

At 69.1, Greenbrier trails the state average of 72.2 by a small margin, placing it in the middle tier of West Virginia counties. The county remains competitive despite this gap.

Low taxes and affordable housing

Greenbrier excels in tax burden (89.1) with an effective rate of 0.47% and offers good affordability (84.3) with median homes at $136,300. These strengths make it an attractive option for cost-conscious residents.

Risk and income pull the county down

Risk is critically low at 24.2, suggesting significant economic uncertainty or vulnerability, making it the county's most concerning dimension. Income also lags at 15.2 with a median household income of $48,662.

Suitable for cautious, established residents

Greenbrier suits retirees with stable, secure income sources seeking low taxes and modest housing costs in a quieter setting. It's less ideal for those dependent on local employment or facing financial uncertainty.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.1Cost84.3SafetyComing SoonHealth61.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.2Risk24.2WaterComing Soon
🏛89.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡24.2
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 Greenbrier County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Crawford County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $60,362
Johnson County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $44,808
Routt County
Colorado
69.1
Median income: $104,803
Taylor County
Georgia
69.1
Median income: $41,743
Twin Falls County
Idaho
69.1
Median income: $65,338

Deep Dives

Greenbrier County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Greenbrier County

via TaxByCounty

Greenbrier's rate moderately below national median

Greenbrier County's effective tax rate of 0.470% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.66%, providing meaningful relief for property owners. The median annual property tax of $640 on a $136,300 home represents just 24% of the national median tax of $2,690. This county ranks in approximately the 15th percentile nationally—placing homeowners in a favorable position compared to 85% of U.S. counties.

Slightly below West Virginia average

Greenbrier County's 0.470% effective rate falls marginally below West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, offering modest tax advantage. The median property tax of $640 slightly exceeds the state median of $699 due to higher home values, but the rate advantage helps keep overall burdens reasonable. Greenbrier represents a balanced, middle-tier tax environment within the state.

More favorable than Fayette, Hancock

Greenbrier's 0.470% rate beats Fayette County's 0.662% and Hancock County's 0.629%, offering substantial savings for the region. Grant County at 0.331% and Hardy County at 0.367% provide slightly better rates, while Doddridge matches Greenbrier exactly at 0.470%. Among this cluster of central West Virginia counties, Greenbrier occupies the competitive middle ground.

Median annual property tax: $640

A homeowner with a $136,300 property in Greenbrier County pays approximately $640 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $825, while without one it falls to $536, reflecting loan servicing fee adjustments. Over 30 years, this totals roughly $19,200 in property taxes on a median-valued home.

Assessment appeals help high-value properties most

Greenbrier County homeowners with higher-valued properties should especially verify their assessments, since small percentage overvaluations compound into larger annual losses. If your home was recently reassessed or you question its valuation relative to comparable sales, filing an appeal costs nothing and could recover hundreds yearly. Many Greenbrier residents discover successful appeals that lower their annual bills by 5–15%.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Greenbrier County

via CostByCounty

Greenbrier's rent burden tops the region

Greenbrier County's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these eight counties and well above the national average, driven by a median income of just $48,662 and rents of $834 monthly. One in five dollars earned goes to housing—a squeeze that limits discretionary spending and savings.

Second-worst affordability in state peers

Only Gilmer and Hardy counties rival Greenbrier's housing burden, but Greenbrier's 20.6% ratio stands second-worst statewide among these comparisons. The county's low median income amplifies the squeeze despite moderate rental costs.

High rents, low incomes collide

Greenbrier's $834 monthly rent is among the region's highest, while its $48,662 median income is among the lowest, creating the perfect affordability storm. Homeownership costs $599 monthly with a $136,300 median home value—solid assets, but unaffordable for median-income households.

20.6% of income consumed by rent

Renters spend $834 monthly, consuming one-fifth of the typical household's $48,662 income, while homeowners pay $599. This leaves Greenbrier households significantly constrained compared to neighboring Grant County, where the ratio sits at 11.9%.

Affordability challenges warrant careful planning

Greenbrier's housing costs outpace local incomes, making relocation here risky without guaranteed wage growth or secure employment. Compare job markets and salary potential carefully—Greenbrier's median home value of $136,300 attracts buyers, but income stagnation erodes affordability gains.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Greenbrier County

via IncomeByCounty

Greenbrier trails both state and national averages

Greenbrier County's median household income of $48,662 falls below West Virginia's state average ($54,746) by $6,084 and trails the national median ($74,755) by $26,093. This $35% deficit to the national figure marks a significant economic disadvantage.

Below-average earnings within West Virginia

Greenbrier County ranks below the state median, placing it among West Virginia's lower-income counties at $48,662. The county struggles with income levels relative to state performance.

Among the region's lower earners

Greenbrier's $48,662 median household income ranks it in the bottom tier of its neighboring counties, surpassed by Doddridge ($61,164), Grant ($61,530), Hampshire ($60,299), Hancock ($61,017), and only slightly ahead of Hardy ($49,302).

Housing costs strain household finances

Greenbrier's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio is among the highest in the region, indicating housing cost stress for median earners. Despite this, median home values of $136,300 suggest some households have accumulated wealth, revealing potential income inequality within the county.

Prioritize financial resilience and planning

With median household income of $48,662 and elevated housing cost burdens, Greenbrier residents should focus on building emergency savings and exploring low-cost investment vehicles. Community resources, credit counseling, and employer retirement plans offer pathways to financial stability despite current income challenges.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Greenbrier County

via HealthByCounty

Greenbrier lags national health benchmarks

At 71.4 years, Greenbrier's life expectancy falls 4.7 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, reflecting significant rural health challenges. Though 23.9% report poor or fair health—slightly better than many peers—the lower life expectancy signals deeper mortality concerns.

Below state average despite county strength

Greenbrier's 71.4-year life expectancy sits 0.8 years below the West Virginia average of 72.2 years, placing it in the lower half of state counties. This lag occurs despite the county having some of the highest provider density in the state, suggesting barriers beyond provider supply.

Regional health disadvantage evident

Greenbrier's 71.4-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in its region, trailing Doddridge (76.8 years), Gilmer (75.2 years), Grant (74.3 years), and Hampshire (74.5 years). This disadvantage persists despite Greenbrier having 150 primary care and 156 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in the region.

Excellent providers, persistent health gaps

Greenbrier leads the region with 150 primary care providers and 156 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, yet life expectancy remains lower than neighboring counties. The 8.6% uninsured rate matches Grant County, but underlying social determinants appear to limit health gains despite robust provider access.

Insurance is just the first step

While Greenbrier has exceptional provider networks, securing coverage ensures you can navigate preventive care, chronic disease management, and emergencies without financial ruin. Visit healthcare.gov to enroll, then partner with your primary care provider to address your specific health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Greenbrier County

via RiskByCounty

Greenbrier faces above-average disaster risk

Greenbrier County's composite risk score of 75.76 and Relatively Low rating indicate elevated natural disaster exposure compared to most U.S. counties. The score sits substantially above West Virginia's average of 49.21, making it one of the state's higher-risk areas.

Highest-risk county in West Virginia

Greenbrier County's score of 75.76 ranks it as West Virginia's most hazard-exposed county, 54% above the state average of 49.21. The county faces multifaceted disaster risks across flooding, seismic activity, and wildfire.

Significantly riskier than surrounding counties

Greenbrier's score of 75.76 far exceeds nearby Fayette County (53.44), Hardy County (42.46), and Hampshire County (38.01). The county's geography creates pronounced vulnerability to multiple hazard types simultaneously.

Floods, earthquakes, and wildfires dominate

Greenbrier County residents face substantial flood risk (84.61), significant earthquake exposure (55.98), and notable wildfire danger (57.22). These three hazards drive the county's overall elevated composite risk score and require serious preparedness planning.

Comprehensive insurance coverage is essential

Greenbrier's flood risk of 84.61 makes NFIP or private flood insurance non-negotiable for all residents, not just those in mapped zones. Homeowners should also review earthquake coverage options and maintain property insurance that accounts for wildfire exposure (57.22).

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.