Lewis County's composite score of 72.9 towers 46% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 35% nationally. This performance reflects exceptional affordability and minimal tax burden across the board.
2 / 5
Highest score in West Virginia group
Lewis achieves the best composite score among these eight West Virginia counties at 72.9, just edging above the state average of 72.2. The county demonstrates consistent excellence in the fundamentals that matter most to residents.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and excellent affordability
Lewis boasts the lowest effective tax rate in the group at 0.470% and top-tier housing costs (87.5) with median rent of $737/month. These dual advantages create one of the most financially accessible living environments available.
4 / 5
Income levels and health need strengthening
Income (17.5) represents the second-lowest in this group at $52,279 median household income, limiting earning capacity. Health outcomes (61.5) also lag, suggesting public health initiatives could improve community wellness.
5 / 5
Perfect for frugal living and early retirement
Lewis County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and those prioritizing maximum financial efficiency and minimal overhead costs. If you want to stretch every dollar and live well below your means, Lewis delivers exceptional livability value.
Lewis County's composite score of 72.9 towers 46% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 35% nationally. This performance reflects exceptional affordability and minimal tax burden across the board.
Highest score in West Virginia group
Lewis achieves the best composite score among these eight West Virginia counties at 72.9, just edging above the state average of 72.2. The county demonstrates consistent excellence in the fundamentals that matter most to residents.
Lowest taxes and excellent affordability
Lewis boasts the lowest effective tax rate in the group at 0.470% and top-tier housing costs (87.5) with median rent of $737/month. These dual advantages create one of the most financially accessible living environments available.
Income levels and health need strengthening
Income (17.5) represents the second-lowest in this group at $52,279 median household income, limiting earning capacity. Health outcomes (61.5) also lag, suggesting public health initiatives could improve community wellness.
Perfect for frugal living and early retirement
Lewis County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and those prioritizing maximum financial efficiency and minimal overhead costs. If you want to stretch every dollar and live well below your means, Lewis delivers exceptional livability value.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Lewis County's effective tax rate of 0.470% ranks among the lowest in America, trailing well below the national median of 0.867%. Residents pay just $639 annually in property tax—less than a quarter of the national median—making Lewis one of the most tax-friendly counties in the nation.
Best tax rate in West Virginia
Lewis County's 0.470% effective rate is the lowest in West Virginia, beating the state average of 0.497% by a measurable margin. The median property tax of $639 is notably lower than the state median of $699, reflecting both lower rates and lower home values.
Clear winner on affordability
Lewis County's 0.470% rate edges out all nearby counties, including Harrison at 0.550% and Marion at 0.602%. Lewis homeowners save approximately $232 annually compared to Jackson County residents on typical homes, despite similar property values.
The lowest tax bill in the region
The median Lewis County home valued at $135,800 generates roughly $639 in annual property tax. After mortgage-related adjustments, the bill may reach approximately $732.
Verify your assessment accuracy
Even in Lewis County's favorable tax environment, homeowners should confirm their assessed values reflect current market conditions. A free appeal to the county assessor ensures you're not paying more than your property's fair market worth.
Lewis County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio matches West Virginia's state average, sitting just above the U.S. norm. Residents earning $52,279 annually pay $737 in rent—affordable by state standards but reflective of modest local incomes.
Right at West Virginia's affordability mark
Lewis's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio ties the state average exactly, and its $737 median rent sits just $23 below the statewide norm. This positions Lewis squarely in the middle of West Virginia's housing-cost landscape.
Competitive with Jackson, slightly below Harrison
Lewis's $737 rent trails Jackson's bargain price of $720 but beats Harrison ($848), Marion ($901), and Kanawha ($879). Among rural counties, Lewis ranks as affordable without hitting the absolute lowest rents.
Lewis's modest but tight budget
Lewis households earning $52,279 spend $737 on rent (16.9%), the second-lowest burden in this group, while homeowners pay just $508 monthly on $135,800 homes. This county offers genuine affordability for both renters and modest-income buyers.
Affordable rural living with modern amenities
Lewis County suits budget-conscious renters and homebuyers seeking solid affordability without extreme isolation. Its $737 rent and $508 ownership costs rival Jackson's best rates while maintaining a slightly more developed infrastructure.
Lewis County's median household income of $52,279 falls 30% short of the national median of $74,755, ranking it in the bottom quarter of all U.S. counties. The county also trails West Virginia's state average of $54,746 by $2,467.
Below-state-average earner in West Virginia
Lewis County ranks in the lower half of West Virginia's 55 counties for household income. At $52,279, it falls below the state median, reflecting limited economic diversification and employment growth in rural north-central Appalachia.
Lewis ranks among region's lowest earners
Lewis's $52,279 median trails Harrison ($58,326) and Jackson ($55,671), placing it among the struggle zone for household economics. The county reflects broader challenges in rural manufacturing and resource-dependent communities.
Housing costs stretch limited budgets
At 16.9% of household income, Lewis's rent-to-income ratio sits at the upper boundary of healthy affordability. Median home values of $135,800 require careful planning, and renters face noticeable cost pressure on modest incomes.
Build savings habits despite tight budgets
Lewis residents can grow wealth even with modest incomes by automating small, regular savings and avoiding high-interest debt. Start with $50–100 monthly into a dedicated savings account, then graduate to employer retirement plans as income allows.
At 70.3 years, Lewis County's life expectancy is 4.2 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. With 24.6% reporting poor or fair health—nearly 2 percentage points above the national average—Lewis struggles with chronic disease and limited health outcomes.
Struggling statewide, but not alone
Lewis's 70.3-year life expectancy falls 1.9 years below West Virginia's state average of 72.2 years, placing it in the lower third of the state. The 24.6% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in West Virginia, signaling acute health distress.
Worse off than regional counterparts
Lewis residents live 2.8 years fewer than Harrison County (73.1 years) and 5.6 years fewer than Jefferson County (75.9 years). With just 41 primary care providers per 100K, Lewis has fewer doctors than most neighbors, compounding the county's health disadvantage.
Sparse care access, limited coverage
Lewis's 7.2% uninsured rate sits below state average, but with only 41 primary care providers per 100K, insurance alone won't solve access gaps. Mental health support is available at 218 providers per 100K, but physical healthcare infrastructure remains stretched.
Insurance is your foundation
Lewis County residents need every advantage to manage health. Check healthcare.gov or call WV DHHR at 1-855-WVHEALTHYY to confirm coverage and find local providers—telehealth can bridge gaps when doctors are distant.
Lewis County's composite risk score of 43.70 sits well below West Virginia's state average of 49.21, marking it as one of the state's lowest-risk counties. This modest score reflects minimal exposure to major natural hazards compared to disaster-prone regions nationwide.
Lewis County ranks among West Virginia's safest
Lewis County scores just 43.70 on the composite disaster risk scale, placing it in the lowest-risk tier of West Virginia's 55 counties. No single hazard type poses significant threat, making Lewis one of the state's most resilient communities.
Lewis has the lowest wildfire risk in the group
Lewis County's composite score of 43.70 ranks as the second-lowest in this eight-county analysis, with a wildfire risk of just 7.25—by far the safest in the group. Its tornado risk of 11.55 and earthquake risk of 25.95 also rank among the county's best defensive positions.
Flood exposure dominates Lewis County's profile
Flooding represents Lewis County's primary natural hazard concern with a risk score of 69.08, though this remains below state average. All other hazards—tornado (11.55), wildfire (7.25), earthquake (25.95), and hurricane (47.35)—pose minimal threats to residents.
Flood insurance is Lewis's main protection need
Lewis County's 69.08 flood risk means flood insurance should be your priority coverage, even though overall disaster risk is low. Standard homeowners insurance covers wind and hail damage adequately for Lewis's minimal tornado and hurricane exposure, making the county an excellent choice for affordable comprehensive protection.