CountyScore

Hardy County

West Virginia · WV

#28 in West Virginia
72.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Hardy County, West Virginia

Solid performance above national median

Hardy County scores 72.7 on the composite index, substantially above the national median of 50.0. This reflects favorable livability conditions and reasonable economic fundamentals.

Matches West Virginia average

At 72.7, Hardy scores right at the state average of 72.2, positioning it as a representative West Virginia county. The county demonstrates competent, if unremarkable, performance.

Low taxes and stable costs

Hardy excels in tax burden (92.0) with an effective rate of just 0.367%, and offers solid affordability (85.1) with median home values at $159,700. These strengths create a favorable financial environment for residents.

Income and health lag noticeably

Income is the county's lowest dimension at 15.6, with median household income of just $49,302, limiting economic opportunity. Health outcomes (60.9) also trail state benchmarks and need strengthening.

Best for retirees and cost minimizers

Hardy County appeals to retirees and individuals with secure outside income seeking minimal tax burden and affordable living. It's less suitable for those dependent on local employment or pursuing income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92Cost85.1SafetyComing SoonHealth60.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.6Risk57.6WaterComing Soon
🏛92
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡57.6
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 Hardy County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marion County
Alabama
72.7
Median income: $50,714
Polk County
Arkansas
72.7
Median income: $49,252
Yuma County
Colorado
72.7
Median income: $60,051
Schley County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $59,647
Wheeler County
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72.7
Median income: $45,262

Deep Dives

Hardy County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hardy County

via TaxByCounty

Hardy's rate well below national median

Hardy County's effective tax rate of 0.367% sits substantially below the national median of 0.66%, offering excellent tax relief for property owners. The median annual property tax of $586 on a $159,700 home represents just 22% of the national median tax of $2,690. This county ranks in approximately the 8th percentile nationally—placing homeowners in a highly favorable position compared to 92% of U.S. counties.

Significantly below West Virginia average

Hardy County's 0.367% effective rate sits well below West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, marking it as one of the state's most tax-friendly options. The median property tax of $586 falls notably below the state median of $699, reflecting the county's favorable rate structure. Hardy stands among West Virginia's genuine tax-relief destinations for property owners.

Second-lowest rate after Grant County

Hardy's 0.367% rate trails only Grant County's 0.331%, beating all other neighbors including Hampshire County at 0.364% by just a few basis points. Doddridge at 0.470%, Greenbrier at 0.470%, and Gilmer at 0.507% all impose steeper burdens, while Fayette at 0.662% and Hancock at 0.629% are substantially more expensive. Hardy ranks as a top-tier tax-relief county in the region.

Median annual property tax: $586

A homeowner with a $159,700 property in Hardy County pays approximately $586 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $675, while without one it drops to $544, reflecting typical loan servicing adjustments. Over 30 years, this totals roughly $17,580 in property taxes—exceptional value for the county.

Protect your tax advantage with regular reviews

Hardy County residents enjoy one of West Virginia's lowest tax rates, making assessment verification especially important to preserve this advantage. If your property was recently reassessed upward or you suspect overvaluation, filing an appeal could protect your savings. In a tax-friendly county, small overassessments erode your competitive advantage—a quick review ensures your bills remain as low as possible.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hardy County

via CostByCounty

Hardy's housing burden rivals worst peers

Hardy County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.0% exceeds the state average (16.9%) and reflects severe national disadvantage, with median household income of just $49,302 paired against $820 monthly rents. One in five dollars earned vanishes to housing, constraining discretionary spending significantly.

Third-worst affordability statewide

Hardy's 20.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks alongside Gilmer and Greenbrier as the state's most challenging housing markets among these peers. The county's low income and relatively high rents combine into a genuine affordability crisis.

High rents squeeze low incomes

Hardy's $820 monthly rent is the second-highest in this analysis, while its $49,302 median income ranks among the lowest. Homeownership costs $562 monthly with a $159,700 median home value, creating buying barriers for typical households despite relatively affordable mortgages.

20% of income devoted to rent

Renters spend $820 monthly, consuming 20.0% of Hardy's $49,302 median income, while homeowners pay $562. This leaves renters with $200+ less monthly flexibility than homeowners, intensifying pressure on households already strapped by regional income constraints.

Affordability challenges require planning

Hardy's combination of high rents and low incomes makes relocation risky without confirmed wage growth or remote income sources. If considering Hardy, prioritize income stability and compare aggressively against neighboring Grant County's superior affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hardy County

via IncomeByCounty

Hardy households earn well below national median

Hardy County's median household income of $49,302 lags the national median ($74,755) by $25,453, or 34%. This substantial gap reflects Hardy's position among the nation's lower-income counties.

Among West Virginia's lowest earners

Hardy County ranks near the bottom of West Virginia's income distribution at $49,302, trailing the state average ($54,746) by $5,444. Only Gilmer County reports a lower median household income statewide.

Lowest median household income in region

Hardy's $49,302 median household income is the lowest among all its neighboring counties, falling behind even Gilmer ($50,991). All other regional peers—Doddridge, Grant, Hampshire, Hancock, Greenbrier, and Fayette—report higher household earnings.

Housing costs place significant burden

Hardy's 20.0% rent-to-income ratio approaches affordability limits, signaling tight household budgets for median earners. Median home values of $159,700 exceed the county's income levels, suggesting wealth concentration among existing homeowners and barriers to housing access for others.

Focus on financial education and stability

Hardy County residents facing median income of $49,302 should prioritize building emergency savings and accessing free or low-cost financial counseling services. Explore workforce development programs, employer retirement benefits, and community resources that support long-term financial security in the face of income challenges.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hardy County

via HealthByCounty

Hardy faces significant national gaps

Hardy County's 72.7-year life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 3.4 years, reflecting rural health challenges across Appalachia. At 26.6%, Hardy's poor/fair health rate is among the highest, indicating elevated chronic disease burden in the county.

Slightly above state average

Hardy's 72.7-year life expectancy edges just 0.5 years above the West Virginia average of 72.2 years, placing it near state median. However, the 26.6% poor/fair health rate exceeds state norms, suggesting higher-than-average chronic disease despite modest life expectancy gains.

Regional health challenges persist

Hardy's 72.7-year life expectancy ranks above only Fayette (69.8 years) and Greenbrier (71.4 years) in the region, trailing all other neighbors significantly. The 26.6% poor/fair health rate is the worst among all surveyed counties, signaling concentrated health challenges in Hardy.

Provider scarcity limits care access

Hardy has just 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the region—creating significant barriers to routine and preventive care. With an 8% uninsured rate above state average and minimal primary care availability, residents face compounded access challenges for basic health services.

Coverage is essential in Hardy County

With the fewest primary care providers and above-average uninsured rates, having insurance in Hardy County is critical for accessing available care. Check healthcare.gov immediately to explore Medicaid, ACA plans, and local health program options that can connect you to resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hardy County

via RiskByCounty

Hardy faces moderate-low disaster risk

Hardy County's composite risk score of 42.46 and Very Low rating place it modestly below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The score sits below West Virginia's state average of 49.21, reflecting regional resilience.

Low-risk county in eastern highlands

Hardy County's score of 42.46 ranks it below the West Virginia average of 49.21, placing it in the lower-risk category statewide. The county's high-elevation mountain terrain provides some protection from certain hazard types.

Mid-range risk in eastern mountain region

Hardy's score of 42.46 sits between Gilmer County (11.45) and Greenbrier County (75.76), occupying the middle ground for southeastern West Virginia. The county faces higher hurricane exposure (72.67) than most neighboring counties.

Hurricane, flood, and wildfire threats notable

Hardy County residents face substantial hurricane risk (72.67), significant flood exposure (65.30), and elevated wildfire danger (57.03). Earthquake and tornado risks are lower, at 33.08 and 16.35 respectively.

Comprehensive coverage addresses multiple hazards

Hardy's flood risk score of 65.30 makes flood insurance essential, particularly in stream valleys and lower-lying areas. The 72.67 hurricane risk score means homeowners should ensure adequate wind/storm coverage and maintain property resilience against sustained winds.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.