CountyScore

Marion County

West Virginia · WV

#42 in West Virginia
69.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Marion County, West Virginia

Marion ranks 40% above national median

Marion County's composite score of 69.8 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. The county balances modest incomes with strong affordability, creating accessible livability.

Slightly below West Virginia average

Marion scores 69.8 compared to the state average of 72.2, positioning it just outside the top tier of West Virginia counties. The county represents middle-ground performance with modest differentiating strengths.

Balanced affordability and solid health outcomes

Marion scores well on cost (81.4) with median rent of $901/month and median home value of $164,300, while health (66.7) ranks in the upper half. This combination with low tax burden (85.3) creates livable fundamentals for middle-income families.

Income growth and economic risk are concerns

Income (27.5) at $67,537 median household income is moderate but not robust compared to national benchmarks. Risk resilience (28.5) suggests the county economy may face headwinds during downturns or recessions.

Balanced choice for middle-income stability

Marion County appeals to middle-income families and workers seeking reasonable housing costs, acceptable health services, and community stability without premium amenities. If you earn $65,000–$75,000 and value balance over excellence, Marion offers reliable livability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.3Cost81.4SafetyComing SoonHealth66.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.5Risk28.5WaterComing Soon
🏛85.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28.5
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 Marion County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clay County
Arkansas
69.8
Median income: $48,500
Liberty County
Florida
69.8
Median income: $53,824
McDuffie County
Georgia
69.8
Median income: $54,058
Webster County
Kentucky
69.8
Median income: $58,786
Evangeline Parish
Louisiana
69.8
Median income: $42,273

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Marion County

via TaxByCounty

Marion's rate remains well below nation

Marion County's effective tax rate of 0.602% trails the national median of 0.867%, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. Residents pay $989 annually in property tax—roughly 37% of the national median of $2,690.

Above-average rate for West Virginia

Marion County's 0.602% effective rate exceeds the state average of 0.497%, ranking among the higher-taxing counties in West Virginia. The median property tax of $989 is notably above the state median of $699, driven by both the higher rate and Marion's relatively strong median home value of $164,300.

Steepest rate in its region

Marion's 0.602% rate leads all nearby counties, exceeding Harrison at 0.550% and Jackson at 0.563%. A Marion homeowner pays roughly $118 more annually than a Jackson County resident on a typical home, and $350 more than a Lewis County resident.

Marion's property tax per household

The median Marion County home valued at $164,300 carries approximately $989 in annual property tax. With mortgage-related adjustments included, homeowners may pay around $1,094 annually.

Review your assessment carefully

Marion County's higher-than-average tax rate makes assessment accuracy especially important for your household budget. A free appeal to the county assessor can provide relief if your property is valued above its actual market worth.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Marion County

via CostByCounty

Marion inches above national affordability line

Marion County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the U.S. average, suggesting reasonable affordability for renters earning $67,537 annually. At $901 monthly rent, Marion's costs are higher than many neighbors, but stronger incomes make the burden manageable.

Slightly better than West Virginia average

Marion's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio undercuts the state average of 16.9%, placing it in the more-affordable half statewide. The median income of $67,537 also runs above the state trend, easing the burden.

Expensive rent, but higher pay cushions it

Marion's $901 rent is the highest in this group after Jefferson ($1,103), but Marion residents earn more than most rural neighbors, narrowing the proportional burden. Only Jefferson and Harrison residents earn comparably.

Marion's balanced income-to-housing ratio

Marion households earning $67,537 spend $901 on rent (16.0%), a reasonable share despite top-tier rents, while homeowners pay $706 monthly on $164,300 homes. Marion's higher-than-average income is the key to managing its pricier housing.

For moderate earners seeking urban services

Marion County suits households earning $65K-$75K seeking better urban amenities and job variety than rural counties offer. Its rents are steep, but incomes keep pace better here than in struggling rural neighbors like Logan or Lincoln.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marion County

via IncomeByCounty

Marion's income nears national average

Marion County's median household income of $67,537 sits 10% below the national median of $74,755, ranking it in the upper-middle third of all U.S. counties. The county significantly outpaces West Virginia's state average of $54,746, making it one of the state's strongest earners.

Top performer among West Virginia counties

Marion County ranks second among West Virginia's 55 counties for median household income, exceeded only by Jefferson County. At $67,537, it exceeds the state average by $12,791, benefiting from Fairmont's regional role and diverse employment base.

Marion ranks among region's economic leaders

Marion's $67,537 median trails only Jefferson ($95,523) and leads Harrison ($58,326), Jackson ($55,671), and all other regional peers. The county reflects stronger industrial and service sector foundations than most of rural West Virginia.

Housing costs remain comfortably affordable

At 16.0% of household income, Marion's rent-to-income ratio sits in the healthy range, and median home values of $164,300 remain achievable for county residents. Housing costs consume a reasonable share of earnings, leaving room for other expenses and savings.

Marion households can build strong futures

With median incomes 23% above state average, Marion residents have meaningful capacity for investing and wealth accumulation. Maximize employer 401(k) matches, diversify into index funds, and consider real estate investment to compound growth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Marion County

via HealthByCounty

Marion approaches national averages

Marion County's 73.5-year life expectancy sits 1 year below the U.S. average of 74.5 years, approaching parity. At 21.9% reporting poor or fair health versus 23% nationally, Marion's health outcomes track close to American norms.

Above-average health statewide

Marion's 73.5-year life expectancy exceeds West Virginia's state average of 72.2 years by 1.3 years, placing it among the healthier counties. The 21.9% poor/fair health rate also ranks above the state median, signaling better overall health.

Solid performance in the region

Marion's 73.5-year life expectancy matches or exceeds most regional peers: it trails Jefferson (75.9 years) but beats Logan (66.2 years) by 7.3 years. With 48 primary care providers per 100K, Marion offers moderate access—better than Logan or Lincoln, but less robust than Harrison.

Strong insurance coverage, moderate access

Marion's 7.0% uninsured rate is one of the best in West Virginia, meaning over 93% of residents carry coverage. With 48 primary care providers and 143 mental health providers per 100K, Marion residents can typically find care without extreme travel, though some coordination may be needed.

Keep Marion's gains on track

Marion's above-average health reflects solid insurance uptake and community engagement. Review your plan at healthcare.gov each year to ensure coverage matches your needs and supports preventive care—consistent coverage is how Marion maintains its advantage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marion County

via RiskByCounty

Marion County's disaster risk stays moderate

Marion County's composite risk score of 71.50 exceeds West Virginia's state average of 49.21, placing it in the relatively low risk category. This reflects significant flood and hurricane exposure tempered by low wildfire and tornado threats.

Marion ranks in upper-middle tier for risk

Marion County scores 71.50 on the composite disaster risk scale, placing it solidly in the middle-to-upper range of West Virginia's 55 counties. The county's risk profile is anchored by flood vulnerability rather than spread across multiple hazard types.

Marion's risk closely mirrors Harrison County

Marion County's composite score of 71.50 nearly matches Harrison County's 73.60, with both counties facing similar flood exposure (Marion 85.69, Harrison 86.70) and hurricane risk (Marion 58.78, Harrison 60.58). Marion's slightly lower overall score reflects marginally better performance across most hazard categories.

Flooding and hurricanes threaten Marion County

Flooding dominates Marion County's hazard landscape with a risk score of 85.69, affecting numerous communities and stream corridors. Hurricane risk ranks second at 58.78, while wildfire (30.18), tornado (30.88), and earthquake (42.08) exposures remain moderate.

Flood insurance is Marion's first priority

Marion County's 85.69 flood risk makes flood insurance absolutely essential and should form the foundation of your home protection plan. Add comprehensive wind and hail coverage to address the 58.78 hurricane exposure, and consider earthquake coverage if your home sits near seismic zones.

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.