Harrison County's composite score of 70.0 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects solid fundamentals across tax burden, housing affordability, and health metrics.
2 / 5
Just slightly below West Virginia average
Harrison ranks near the middle of West Virginia counties with a score of 70.0 compared to the state average of 72.2. The county holds its own among regional peers while having room to close a modest gap.
3 / 5
Tax-friendly with affordable housing
Harrison excels in tax burden (86.8) and housing affordability (83.4), with an effective tax rate of just 0.550% and median rent of $848/month. These low costs provide financial breathing room for residents earning a median household income of $58,326.
4 / 5
Income and risk factors lag behind
Income levels (21.5) and overall risk resilience (26.4) represent areas where Harrison trails state and national benchmarks. Health outcomes are moderate at 65.9, suggesting opportunities for targeted wellness improvements in the community.
5 / 5
Best for budget-conscious families
Harrison County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over higher incomes and amenities. If you value financial stability and modest cost-of-living expenses, this county offers solid livability at a practical price.
Harrison County's composite score of 70.0 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects solid fundamentals across tax burden, housing affordability, and health metrics.
Just slightly below West Virginia average
Harrison ranks near the middle of West Virginia counties with a score of 70.0 compared to the state average of 72.2. The county holds its own among regional peers while having room to close a modest gap.
Tax-friendly with affordable housing
Harrison excels in tax burden (86.8) and housing affordability (83.4), with an effective tax rate of just 0.550% and median rent of $848/month. These low costs provide financial breathing room for residents earning a median household income of $58,326.
Income and risk factors lag behind
Income levels (21.5) and overall risk resilience (26.4) represent areas where Harrison trails state and national benchmarks. Health outcomes are moderate at 65.9, suggesting opportunities for targeted wellness improvements in the community.
Best for budget-conscious families
Harrison County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over higher incomes and amenities. If you value financial stability and modest cost-of-living expenses, this county offers solid livability at a practical price.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Harrison County's effective tax rate of 0.550% sits well below the national median of 0.867%, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. The typical Harrison homeowner pays $872 annually in property tax—less than a third of the national median of $2,690—thanks to both lower rates and lower home values.
Slightly above average in West Virginia
Harrison ranks in the middle of West Virginia's 55 counties at 0.550% effective rate, slightly higher than the state average of 0.497%. The county's median property tax of $872 exceeds the state median of $699, reflecting Harrison's relatively higher home values in the region.
Higher taxes than most nearby counties
Among neighboring counties, Harrison's 0.550% rate falls between Lewis County's lower 0.470% and Marion County's higher 0.602%. Harrison homeowners pay $172 more annually than Lewis County residents but $117 less than Marion County on comparable-value homes.
What you'll pay on a typical home
The median Harrison home valued at $158,500 generates approximately $872 in annual property tax. For a homeowner with a mortgage, add an estimated $191 to cover homestead tax adjustments, bringing the total to about $1,063 per year.
You might be overassessed
Across West Virginia, many homeowners discover their properties are valued above market rates during reassessment cycles. If you believe your Harrison home is overassessed, filing an appeal with the county assessor's office could lower your tax bill at no cost.
Harrison County residents spend 17.4% of income on rent, higher than the U.S. average of around 15%. This means the typical household earning $58,326 annually pays $848 monthly in rent—a burden that eats into savings and other essentials faster than most Americans experience.
Slightly less affordable than West Virginia
At 17.4%, Harrison's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 16.9%, ranking it among the less affordable West Virginia counties. The county's median rent of $848 also runs $88 above the state median of $760.
More expensive than nearby rural counties
Harrison's $848 rent is steeper than Marion County ($901 puts Marion higher), but significantly above Jackson County ($720) and Lewis County ($737) just across county lines. Renters in Harrison pay a premium compared to less urbanized neighbors.
Where Harrison's income goes
On a $58,326 annual income, renters allocate $848 monthly to rent (17.4%), while homeowners commit $637 monthly toward costs on a median home valued at $158,500. Together, these figures show housing absorbs a significant but manageable share of most households' budgets.
Considering a move within West Virginia?
If affordability matters, Jackson County and Lewis County offer lower rents ($720 and $737) with similar incomes, reducing housing burden by 2-3 percentage points. Conversely, Jefferson County offers higher incomes ($95,523) that better offset its pricier housing market ($1,103 rent).
Harrison County's median household income of $58,326 sits 22% below the U.S. median of $74,755, ranking it in the lower third nationally. However, the county outpaces West Virginia's state average of $54,746, positioning it among the state's stronger earners.
Mid-pack performer in West Virginia
Harrison County ranks in the upper-middle tier of West Virginia's 55 counties for household income. At $58,326, it exceeds the state average by $3,580, reflecting stronger employment opportunities than much of rural West Virginia.
Harrison outearns most regional peers
Harrison's $58,326 median surpasses neighboring Lewis ($52,279) and Marion ($67,537) offers a nearby comparison at the upper range. The county attracts workers seeking stability between rural and urban economies.
Housing costs remain manageable here
At 17.4% of household income, Harrison County's rent-to-income ratio sits at a healthy level, meaning housing doesn't squeeze budgets. The median home value of $158,500 remains accessible for households earning near the county median.
Build financial security in Harrison
With median incomes above state average, Harrison households have room to invest and save beyond basic needs. Start by directing 10–15% of household earnings toward retirement accounts and emergency funds to weather economic shifts.
At 73.1 years, Harrison County residents live nearly a year longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years—though the gap reflects a national trend of declining life expectancy. Just 21.7% report poor or fair health, better than the national average of 23%, signaling stronger baseline health outcomes here.
Harrison ranks strong statewide
Harrison's 73.1-year life expectancy sits above West Virginia's state average of 72.2 years, placing it in the upper tier of the state's 55 counties. The county's lower poor/fair health rate of 21.7% further distinguishes it as one of the healthier regions in West Virginia.
Better health than nearby counties
Harrison outperforms its regional neighbors: residents live over a year longer than Logan County (66.2 years) and 2.8 years longer than Lincoln County (68.7 years). Harrison's primary care provider density of 126 per 100K is also triple that of Jackson County's 36 per 100K, improving access to routine care.
High provider access, low uninsured rates
Harrison's 7.7% uninsured rate nearly matches the state average of 7.6%, meaning over 9 in 10 residents have health coverage. With 126 primary care providers and 337 mental health providers per 100K population, Harrison has robust medical infrastructure—among the best-staffed in West Virginia.
Keep coverage strong in Harrison
Harrison's high insurance rates mean most residents already have protection, but don't assume coverage is automatic. Visit healthcare.gov or WV DHHR to confirm your plan covers preventive care, prescriptions, and mental health services—and explore options if your employer coverage changes.
Harrison County scores 73.60 on the composite disaster risk scale, putting it above West Virginia's state average of 49.21 but well below the national danger zone. This relatively low risk rating means residents face manageable hazard exposure compared to high-risk counties nationwide.
Mid-range risk among West Virginia counties
Harrison County ranks in the middle tier of West Virginia's 55 counties for overall disaster risk, with several neighbors bearing significantly lower exposure. Its 73.60 score reflects concentrated flood vulnerability rather than across-the-board hazard exposure.
Higher flood risk than nearby Marion County
Harrison County's composite score of 73.60 exceeds Marion County's 71.50, driven mainly by Harrison's stronger flood risk of 86.70 versus Marion's 85.69. Both counties face similar hurricane exposure (Harrison 60.58, Marion 58.78) but diverge on wildfire threats, where Marion is slightly more vulnerable.
Flooding dominates Harrison's hazard landscape
Flooding poses the clearest and most immediate threat to Harrison County residents, with a risk score of 86.70 that demands serious preparedness. Hurricane risk ranks second at 60.58, while earthquake exposure (51.94) and tornado danger (34.99) remain moderate concerns.
Flood insurance is essential for Harrison residents
Given Harrison County's 86.70 flood risk score, standard homeowners insurance will not protect your property from water damage—flood insurance is critical. Couple flood coverage with wind and hail policies to address hurricane and severe weather exposure, and review earthquake coverage if your home sits in a seismic zone.