CountyScore

Hampshire County

West Virginia · WV

#15 in West Virginia
74.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Hampshire County, West Virginia

Strong livability above national norm

Hampshire County scores 74.6 on the composite index, substantially above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates solid livability fundamentals and economic conditions compared to typical U.S. counties.

Exceeds West Virginia average

At 74.6, Hampshire scores above the state average of 72.2, ranking among West Virginia's better-performing counties. The county shows consistent strength across measured dimensions.

Low taxes and moderate incomes

Hampshire County leads in tax performance (92.0) with an effective rate of just 0.364%, and delivers solid income (22.8) at $60,299 median household income. Housing affordability (85.9) and health (63.5) also provide meaningful support.

Risk and home values need balance

Risk scores moderately at 62.0, suggesting some economic uncertainty, and median home values are the highest at $204,600, which may challenge affordability despite good income levels. Health outcomes could be stronger to fully support livability.

Ideal for tax-conscious middle earners

Hampshire County appeals to families and professionals with moderate incomes prioritizing tax savings and willing to accept higher home values for economic stability. It suits those seeking balance between earnings and tax burden.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92Cost85.9SafetyComing SoonHealth63.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.8Risk62WaterComing Soon
🏛92
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62
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 Hampshire County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Rio Blanco County
Colorado
74.6
Median income: $72,620
Adams County
Idaho
74.6
Median income: $59,286
Lincoln County
Idaho
74.6
Median income: $66,038
McLean County
Kentucky
74.6
Median income: $70,549
Madison County
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74.6
Median income: $58,628

Deep Dives

Hampshire County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hampshire County

via TaxByCounty

Hampshire's rate significantly below national median

Hampshire County's effective tax rate of 0.364% sits well below the national median of 0.66%, providing exceptional relief for property owners. The median annual property tax of $745 on a $204,600 home represents just 28% of the national median tax of $2,690. This county ranks in approximately the 10th percentile nationally—meaning 90% of American counties impose heavier property tax burdens.

Well below West Virginia average

Hampshire County's 0.364% effective rate sits substantially below West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, offering meaningful tax savings for residents. The median property tax of $745 exceeds the state median of $699 due to higher home values in the county, yet the favorable rate keeps overall burdens reasonable. Hampshire ranks among West Virginia's most tax-friendly counties overall.

Second-most affordable in the region

Hampshire's 0.364% rate trails only Grant County's 0.331%, beating Fayette's 0.662%, Hancock's 0.629%, and Doddridge's 0.470%. Hardy County at 0.367% sits just barely higher, while Greenbrier at 0.470% and Gilmer at 0.507% impose steeper burdens. Hampshire emerges as a tax-relief standout for the central West Virginia region.

Median annual property tax: $745

A homeowner with a $204,600 property in Hampshire County pays approximately $745 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $803, while without one it falls to $716, reflecting typical loan servicing adjustments. Over 30 years, this totals roughly $22,350 in property taxes—excellent value for a county with above-average home prices.

Higher home values merit careful assessment review

Hampshire County homeowners with more valuable properties should especially verify their assessments, since errors scale with property value. If your home was recently reassessed upward or you believe its valuation exceeds comparable sales, filing an appeal could recover meaningful savings. Even a 2–3% overvaluation on a $200,000+ home translates to hundreds in unnecessary annual taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hampshire County

via CostByCounty

Hampshire balances costs and income well

Hampshire County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% sits comfortably below the state average of 16.9% and reflects solid affordability despite a median household income of $60,299 below the national median. Monthly rent of $732 consumes less than 15% of earnings, leaving room for savings and stability.

Better than half of West Virginia counties

Hampshire's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the top third statewide, signaling genuine affordability relative to peer counties. The county balances moderate incomes with restrained housing costs effectively.

Highest home values, reasonable rents

Hampshire's median home value of $204,600 is the highest in this analysis, reflecting stronger property appreciation or market demand. Yet rents at $732 monthly remain competitive, and homeownership costs $619—suggesting a market with buy-side advantages over renting.

14.6% of income toward housing

Renters spend $732 monthly, representing 14.6% of Hampshire's $60,299 median income, while homeowners pay $619 monthly. This affordability gap favors buyers, making Hampshire attractive for those seeking to build equity at reasonable cost.

Strong buy-side opportunity here

Hampshire County offers West Virginia's highest home values with affordability still intact, making it ideal for buyers seeking equity growth. If your employment income is stable or growing, Hampshire's market presents genuine wealth-building potential versus renting.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hampshire County

via IncomeByCounty

Hampshire earns above state, below nation

Hampshire County's median household income of $60,299 exceeds West Virginia's state average ($54,746) by 10%, but falls $14,456 short of the national median ($74,755). Hampshire represents an above-average West Virginia performer.

Strong performer among West Virginia counties

Hampshire County ranks in the upper tier of West Virginia's income distribution at $60,299, well above the state average. The county demonstrates economic strength relative to most of its peers.

Competitive earnings in its region

Hampshire's $60,299 median household income ranks third among its neighbors, behind Grant ($61,530) and Doddridge ($61,164), but ahead of Hancock ($61,017). The county maintains strong earnings relative to lower-income peers like Gilmer, Hardy, and Greenbrier.

Housing costs manageable for median earners

Hampshire's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating healthy housing cost burden. However, median home values of $204,600 are the highest in the region, suggesting wealth concentration among homeowners.

Leverage strong position for investing

Hampshire residents earning $60,299 with manageable housing costs are well-positioned to invest in education, entrepreneurship, and retirement security. Work with a financial advisor to diversify savings and build wealth beyond homeownership in this economically stable county.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hampshire County

via HealthByCounty

Hampshire approaches national health standards

Hampshire County's 74.5-year life expectancy comes within 1.6 years of the U.S. average of 76.1 years, an achievement rare among rural West Virginia counties. With 25.1% reporting poor or fair health, the county sits near national baselines for self-reported health status.

Exceeding state averages clearly

At 74.5 years, Hampshire's life expectancy surpasses the West Virginia average of 72.2 years by 2.3 years, ranking it among the state's stronger-performing counties. The 25.1% poor/fair health rate aligns with county medians, reflecting stable chronic disease burden.

Strong health standing regionally

Hampshire's 74.5-year life expectancy ranks above Fayette (69.8 years) and Greenbrier (71.4 years), matching Grant County and trailing only Doddridge (76.8 years) and Gilmer (75.2 years). The county's solid health profile places it among the region's healthier communities.

Limited primary care, strong mental health

Hampshire has only 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below county averages—creating potential access barriers for routine care. However, 97 mental health providers per 100,000 and an 8.2% uninsured rate suggest reasonable coverage and mental health support availability across the county.

Cover yourself before care is needed

Hampshire's primary care capacity is limited, making insurance coverage even more critical for accessing preventive visits and specialists. Get covered today at healthcare.gov to ensure you can reach available providers without financial stress when health needs arise.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hampshire County

via RiskByCounty

Hampshire faces moderate-low disaster risk

Hampshire County's composite risk score of 38.01 and Very Low rating place it below the national average, with managed natural disaster exposure. The score sits notably below West Virginia's state average of 49.21.

Below-average risk in eastern panhandle

Hampshire County's score of 38.01 ranks it in the lower-risk tier statewide, roughly 23% below West Virginia's average of 49.21. The county's eastern mountain location provides some protection from major hazards.

Similar risk profile to Hardy County

Hampshire's score of 38.01 closely resembles Hardy County (42.46) and Grant County (33.17), placing it in a regional cluster of moderate-low-risk counties. The county faces higher hurricane exposure (65.67) than its immediate neighbors.

Floods and hurricanes pose primary threats

Hampshire County residents face substantial flood risk (62.82) and notable hurricane exposure (65.67), making these the county's leading hazard concerns. Wildfire danger is also elevated at 54.93, while tornado risk remains relatively low at 20.04.

Prioritize flood and wind coverage

Hampshire's flood risk score of 62.82 makes flood insurance critical for property protection, especially near stream corridors and low-lying areas. The 65.67 hurricane risk score means homeowners should ensure adequate wind coverage and roof maintenance.

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.