CountyScore

Kanawha County

West Virginia · WV

#53 in West Virginia
66.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Kanawha County, West Virginia

Kanawha scores 33% above national median

Kanawha County's composite score of 66.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0, though it lags slightly behind its West Virginia cohort. The county still ranks comfortably in the top 40% nationally, reflecting solid fundamentals.

Below state average; room for improvement

Kanawha scores 66.3 against the state average of 72.2, placing it in the lower half of West Virginia counties. This gap reflects specific challenges in economic resilience and health that distinguish it regionally.

Strong affordability and very low risk

Kanawha excels in housing cost (81.9) with median rent of $879/month and a median home value of $135,000. Most notably, its risk score of 5.5 is the lowest in this entire group, suggesting exceptional economic stability.

Income and health outcomes need attention

Income levels (21.8) and health scores (63.7) lag state and national peers, with a median household income of $58,887. The higher effective tax rate of 0.683% also adds burden compared to neighboring counties.

Best for those prioritizing economic stability

Kanawha County suits risk-averse residents and families seeking rock-solid economic security and affordable housing, even if earning potential is modest. If protecting your finances and avoiding downside risk matter most, Kanawha delivers stability above all else.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.1Cost81.9SafetyComing SoonHealth63.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.8Risk5.5WaterComing Soon
🏛83.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡5.5
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 Kanawha County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lassen County
California
66.3
Median income: $64,395
Screven County
Georgia
66.3
Median income: $53,017
St. Bernard Parish
Louisiana
66.3
Median income: $57,638
Shiawassee County
Michigan
66.3
Median income: $64,464
Lowndes County
Mississippi
66.3
Median income: $54,460

Deep Dives

Kanawha County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kanawha County

via TaxByCounty

Kanawha leads West Virginia in tax rates

Kanawha County's effective tax rate of 0.683% is the highest in West Virginia and still substantially below the national median of 0.867%. Though Kanawha's median home value of $135,000 is well below the national median, its steeper tax rate creates a median bill of $922.

Highest effective rate in the state

Kanawha County's 0.683% effective tax rate significantly exceeds West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, making it the steepest in the state. The median property tax of $922 is among the highest despite lower-than-average home values of $135,000.

Kanawha stands out for high rates

Kanawha's 0.683% rate substantially exceeds nearby Logan County at 0.582% and Lewis County at 0.470%. A Kanawha homeowner pays roughly $331 more annually than a Lewis County resident on a typical home, even though Kanawha homes are similarly priced.

Kanawha's tax burden per home

The median Kanawha County home valued at $135,000 carries approximately $922 in annual property tax. With mortgage-related adjustments, the annual bill may climb to $1,071.

Assess your property value today

Kanawha's higher-than-average tax rate makes accurate assessment even more critical for homeowners seeking relief. An appeal to the county assessor can be filed free of charge if you believe your property is valued above its current market worth.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kanawha County

via CostByCounty

Kanawha's rent strain exceeds national typical

Kanawha County residents spend 17.9% of income on rent, among the highest in this group and above the U.S. average of around 15%. At $879 monthly on a $58,887 income, Kanawha renters face tighter budgets than most Americans.

Above-average burden in West Virginia terms

Kanawha's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio edges above the state average of 16.9%, placing it in the less-affordable tier statewide. The median rent of $879 runs $119 higher than West Virginia's $760 norm.

Pricier than rural counterparts

Kanawha's $879 rent tops Jackson ($720), Lewis ($737), and Lincoln ($727), reflecting its larger urban footprint as West Virginia's most populous county. Only Harrison ($848) and Marion ($901) rival its rental rates.

Kanawha's housing takes a bigger slice

Kanawha households earning $58,887 commit $879 to rent (17.9%), while homeowners spend $698 monthly on median-valued homes of just $135,000. The rent burden stands out as notably higher than the ownership cost, a pattern unique in this county group.

Consider owning over renting in Kanawha

If you're flexible on housing type, Kanawha's median home value of $135,000 offers better math than renting at $879 monthly. Owners paying $698 monthly save substantially, making homeownership a smarter financial move than elsewhere in the state.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kanawha County

via IncomeByCounty

Kanawha's income slightly outpaces state

Kanawha County's median household income of $58,887 sits 21% below the national median of $74,755, ranking it in the lower third nationally. Yet the county exceeds West Virginia's state average of $54,746, making it one of the state's stronger earners.

Strong performer among West Virginia counties

Kanawha County ranks in the upper-middle tier of West Virginia's 55 counties for median household income. At $58,887, it exceeds the state average by $4,141, benefiting from Charleston's regional economic center and diverse employment base.

Kanawha leads many nearby counties

Kanawha's $58,887 median surpasses Lewis ($52,279), Lincoln ($48,593), and Logan ($47,237), placing it among the region's stronger economies. As home to West Virginia's capital, the county attracts government and service sector employment.

Rent costs press tightly on budgets

At 17.9% of household income, Kanawha's rent-to-income ratio edges toward the threshold of affordability stress. With median home values at $135,000, purchasing power exists, but renters face noticeable cost pressure relative to income.

Kanawha households can invest smartly

With incomes above state average, Kanawha residents have opportunity to redirect surplus earnings toward wealth-building. Consider employer-sponsored retirement plans, automatic savings transfers, and low-fee index funds to compound long-term growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kanawha County

via HealthByCounty

Kanawha lags national health benchmarks

Kanawha's 71.0-year life expectancy falls 3.5 years short of the U.S. average of 74.5 years. At 22.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county nearly matches the national average of 23%, suggesting systemic health challenges beyond individual behaviors.

Below-average health statewide

Kanawha's 71.0-year life expectancy runs 1.2 years below West Virginia's state average of 72.2 years, placing it in the lower half of the state's counties. The 22.4% poor/fair health rate signals persistent chronic disease burden.

Struggles compared to nearby counties

Kanawha's 71.0-year life expectancy falls 2.1 years below Harrison County (73.1 years) and 4.9 years below Jefferson County (75.9 years). However, Kanawha's 130 primary care providers per 100K ranks among the strongest in the region, suggesting barriers are social or economic rather than access-based.

Good doctors, insurance gaps remain

Kanawha's 7.5% uninsured rate sits just below the state average, meaning about 1 in 13 residents lack coverage. Despite 130 primary care providers per 100K—better than most counties—health outcomes lag, suggesting social determinants like income and education play major roles.

Get insured, get preventive care

If you're among Kanawha's uninsured, healthcare.gov and WV DHHR can connect you to affordable plans or Medicaid. Regular primary care visits catch diseases early and can reverse some of the county's health trajectory.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kanawha County

via RiskByCounty

Kanawha County faces significantly elevated disaster risk

Kanawha County's composite risk score of 94.53 places it nearly twice West Virginia's state average of 49.21 and squarely in the relatively high risk category. This score reflects substantial exposure to multiple hazard types, making Kanawha one of the state's most disaster-prone counties.

Kanawha County ranks among West Virginia's highest-risk

Kanawha County stands out as the highest-risk county in this eight-county analysis group, with a composite score of 94.53 that far exceeds the state average. The county faces serious vulnerability across flood, wildfire, earthquake, and hurricane hazards.

Kanawha's risk dramatically exceeds surrounding counties

Kanawha County's 94.53 composite score towers over Harrison County's 73.60 and Logan County's 79.23, driven by exceptional flood risk (97.90) that tops most peers. Its 76.30 earthquake risk also surpasses all neighboring counties in this group, creating a compound vulnerability profile.

Flooding poses an exceptional, immediate threat

Kanawha County faces an extraordinary flood risk of 97.90, placing it in the highest-danger category for water-related disasters in the state. Wildfire exposure ranks second at 61.55, earthquake risk third at 76.30, and hurricane risk fourth at 64.41—a dangerous combination of overlapping hazards.

Flood and earthquake insurance are non-negotiable

Kanawha County's 97.90 flood risk score demands immediate action: flood insurance is absolutely essential and should be treated as a core protection, not an option. Couple this with earthquake coverage for your 76.30 seismic exposure, and add comprehensive wind/hail policies to address wildfire and hurricane threats.

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.