CountyScore

Mason County

West Virginia · WV

#33 in West Virginia
72.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Mason County, West Virginia

Mason punches above national average

Mason County's composite score of 72.1 sits 44% above the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the top half of American counties. This strong performance reflects sustained livability across multiple economic and quality-of-life measures.

Roughly in line with West Virginia

Mason County scores 72.1, nearly matching West Virginia's state average of 72.2, confirming it represents a typical strong performer within the state. The county holds its own among peer West Virginia counties without major distinction.

Affordability and low taxes excel

Mason shines with the state's best Cost Score of 88.4 and a Tax Score of 87.2 (effective rate 0.535%), creating an exceptionally affordable environment with median rent of just $654/month and homes valued at $127,400. These metrics make Mason one of West Virginia's most budget-friendly counties.

Income and health merit attention

The Income Score of 18.3 reflects a median household income of just $53,454, and the Health Score of 63.1 suggests room for improvement in wellness outcomes. These lower scores indicate that residents may face economic constraints and health-access challenges.

Perfect for minimalist movers

Mason County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families who prioritize ultra-low housing costs and tax burden over wage growth or urban amenities. It's an excellent choice for those building a life on a fixed or modest income.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.2Cost88.4SafetyComing SoonHealth63.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.3Risk42.6WaterComing Soon
🏛87.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡42.6
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 Mason County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Geneva County
Alabama
72.1
Median income: $50,951
Winston County
Alabama
72.1
Median income: $48,032
Stone County
Arkansas
72.1
Median income: $38,531
Montezuma County
Colorado
72.1
Median income: $63,005
Rio Grande County
Colorado
72.1
Median income: $62,166

Deep Dives

Mason County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mason County

via TaxByCounty

Mason County taxes rank among lowest nationally

Mason County's effective rate of 0.535% places it firmly in the lowest 10% across the country—roughly one-fifth the burden of median U.S. homeowners. The median annual tax of $682 demonstrates how low property taxes remain here compared to the national median of $2,690.

Slightly above West Virginia's state average

Mason County's 0.535% rate edges above West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, positioning it as a moderate-to-slightly-above-average county statewide. The median tax of $682 closely tracks the state median of $699, placing residents squarely within typical state ranges.

Mason balances rates across southern region

Mason County's 0.535% rate sits above Mingo County (0.437%) and McDowell County (0.565%), making it competitive within its regional peer group. Among southern West Virginia counties, Mason offers moderate tax positioning.

Annual tax on median home: $682

A typical Mason County home valued at $127,400 carries an annual property tax of $682. With mortgage escrow included, homeowners generally pay approximately $861 yearly.

Consider an assessment appeal today

Overassessments are common across West Virginia, and Mason County homeowners are no exception. Filing an appeal with your county assessor's office could reveal significant tax savings if your property is valued above market rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mason County

via CostByCounty

Mason County beats national affordability

At 14.7%, Mason County's rent-to-income ratio outperforms both the national average (16.9%) and West Virginia's state average, making it one of the more affordable rental markets in the region. Despite a median income of $53,454—below the national median of $74,755—renters here spend less of their earnings on housing.

Among West Virginia's most affordable

Mason County ranks in the top tier of West Virginia counties for rental affordability, with a 14.7% rent-to-income ratio that beats nearly all peers. The combination of modest rents ($654/month) and a cost-conscious local economy creates one of the state's gentler housing burdens.

Lowest rents in southern West Virginia

Mason County's $654/month rent is the cheapest among comparable southern counties, undercutting Mingo ($604) and beating Monroe ($677). This affordability advantage persists despite local incomes being below the regional average, making Mason an outlier in the state's housing value proposition.

Ownership costs run lean too

Renters pay $654/month (14.7% of income) while homeowners spend $556/month (12.5%)—both well below state and national norms. Mason County's median home value of $127,400 reflects affordability across both rental and purchase markets.

Best value for budget-conscious Appalachians

Mason County offers the rare combination of low rents, low homeowner costs, and top-tier affordability ratios—ideal for those prioritizing housing savings over higher regional wages. Its rental market stands apart even from neighboring Mingo County, making it worth close consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mason County

via IncomeByCounty

Mason lags national income benchmark

Mason County's median household income of $53,454 falls below the U.S. median of $74,755 by $21,301, placing the county in the lower-middle range nationally. This $21,301 gap reflects broader economic challenges facing rural Appalachian communities compared to national averages.

Near West Virginia average income

Mason County's $53,454 median household income sits just below the West Virginia state average of $54,746, ranking it near the middle of the state's county distribution. The county performs slightly below state peer performance, indicating typical West Virginia income patterns.

Income trails county neighbors

Mason County's $53,454 median income ranks below neighboring Marshall County ($60,329) and Monroe County ($54,508), though it exceeds Mingo County ($39,527). The county occupies a competitive middle position within its regional peer group.

Housing costs stay reasonable

Mason County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio is well below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating housing remains manageable for median earners. With a median home value of $127,400, homeownership requires sustained income but remains realistic for county median households.

Maximize savings despite modest income

Mason County households earning $53,454 should prioritize building emergency savings first, then direct surplus income to retirement and investment accounts. With favorable housing ratios, households can allocate 8-12% of income to wealth-building without financial strain.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mason County

via HealthByCounty

Mason County trails U.S. health benchmarks

Life expectancy in Mason County is 71.1 years, falling 5.3 years short of the national average of 76.4 years and indicating significant health disparities. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.4%) report poor or fair health, compared to 17.9% nationally, suggesting chronic disease and lifestyle factors are taking a toll.

Below average for West Virginia

Mason County's 71.1-year life expectancy falls notably below West Virginia's 72.2-year state average, ranking it among the state's less healthy counties. This gap suggests that local health challenges deserve urgent attention and targeted investment.

Worse off than regional peers

Mason County's life expectancy of 71.1 years lags McDowell County (65.1 years) is worse, but significantly trails healthier neighbors like Marshall County (74.3 years) and Mineral County (73.5 years). The uninsured rate of 6.4% is slightly below the state average of 7.6%, providing some protection—though 1 in 15 residents still lack coverage.

Strongest primary care access in its peer group

Mason County boasts 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, exceeding most neighboring counties and providing solid entry-point healthcare access. With 36 mental health providers per 100,000, the county offers moderate behavioral health support, though demand may still exceed availability in rural areas.

Healthcare access starts with coverage

Mason County's 6.4% uninsured rate leaves about 1 in 15 residents without protection. Explore plans on healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to find affordable coverage that works for your household.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mason County

via RiskByCounty

Mason County faces above-average disaster risk

Mason County's composite risk score of 57.44 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but exceeds West Virginia's state average of 49.21 by about 17%. The county's risk profile is driven by elevated flood and hurricane exposure rather than seismic or tornado threats.

Upper-middle risk tier in West Virginia

With a score of 57.44, Mason County ranks above the state median among West Virginia's 55 counties. It faces moderate overall disaster exposure, placing it in the more vulnerable half of the state's counties.

Comparable to Marshall County, lower than Mercer

Mason County's 57.44 score closely mirrors Marshall County's 56.81, reflecting similar flood and hurricane exposure along the Ohio River corridor. Mercer County to the east (65.24) and Mingo County to the south (72.58) carry notably higher overall risk.

Flood and hurricane risk dominate the profile

Mason County's flood risk score of 76.30 is the highest hazard, followed by hurricane risk at 57.53—both well above the county's wildfire (30.92) and tornado (15.97) scores. River-adjacent areas face acute flood vulnerability, while hurricane remnants pose seasonal concerns.

Flood insurance is critical for Mason County

With flood risk at 76.30, flood insurance should be a top priority, especially for properties near the Ohio River or floodplain areas. Review homeowners policies for hurricane and wind coverage as well, given the county's 57.53 hurricane risk score.

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.