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McDowell County, West Virginia — County Report Card

WV

#47 in West Virginia

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
55.3
County Score
Cost of Living 96.9Safety 83.6Weather & Climate 71.3

County Report Card

About McDowell County, West Virginia

Competitive Standing Against National Medians

McDowell County posts a 57.0 composite score, which beats the national median of 50.0. Despite economic hurdles, the county maintains a solid baseline of livability on the national stage.

Closing the Gap with State Averages

The county trails the West Virginia state average of 62.0 by five points. This gap highlights the disparity between the county’s affordability and its current infrastructure and health metrics.

Nation-Leading Housing Costs and Safety

The county boasts a near-perfect Cost Score of 93.9 and a median home value of just $49,200. Residents also enjoy a high level of security with a Safety Score of 83.6.

Significant Infrastructure and Income Hurdles

Serious challenges persist with an Income Score of 0.2 and a Water Score of 6.1. Education and health scores also remain in the bottom third of national rankings.

Best for Self-Sufficient, Budget-Conscious Homeowners

McDowell suits adventurous residents looking for the lowest entry prices in the country. It is the best choice for those who prioritize rock-bottom housing costs over modern public infrastructure.

2040608010063.296.983.614.828.30.323.46.171.3Tax63.2Cost96.9Safety83.6Health14.8Schools28.3Income0.3Risk23.4Water6.1Weather71.355.3/100
This county
National avg
4 above average5 below average

McDowell County DNA

Foverall

How McDowell County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

McDowell County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (96.9/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (6.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
63.2+11.200000000000003
Cost
96.9+48.900000000000006
Safety
83.6+28.599999999999994
Health
14.8-35.2
Schools
28.3-25.7
Income
0.3-50.7
Risk
23.4-23.6
Water
6.1-51.9
Weather
71.3+15.299999999999997
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$50,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$643/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$50,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$25,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $31,559/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

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Nearby counties

Buchanan County
Virginia
50.9
Tazewell County
Virginia
48.7
Wyoming County
West Virginia
62.6
Mingo County
West Virginia
62.6
Logan County
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58.6
Bland County
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72.8
Mercer County
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Smyth County
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Deep Dives

McDowell County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in McDowell County

via TaxByCounty

McDowell County taxes among America's lowest

McDowell County's effective rate of 0.565% ranks in the lowest 5% nationally, with a median property tax of just $278—less than one-tenth the national median of $2,690. The combination of lower home values and modest rates creates an extraordinarily affordable tax environment.

Highest rate in West Virginia but still low

McDowell County's 0.565% rate edges slightly above West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, reflecting the highest effective rate among the eight-county sample. Despite this distinction, the median annual tax of $278 remains well below the state median of $699 due to significantly lower home values.

Highest regional rate but remains competitive

McDowell County's 0.565% rate exceeds Mason County (0.535%) and Mingo County (0.437%), ranking highest in its peer group. Still, the median tax of $278 reflects the county's lower property valuations across the region.

Minimal annual tax burden on median home

A median McDowell County home valued at $49,200 generates just $278 in annual property taxes. With mortgage escrow, homeowners typically pay around $556 per year.

Appeal your assessment if overvalued

Even in a low-tax environment, property assessments can still exceed actual market value. McDowell County homeowners should verify their assessments through their county assessor's office to ensure they're not paying more than necessary.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in McDowell County

via IncomeByCounty

McDowell faces severe income gap

McDowell County's median household income of $29,980 represents just 40% of the national median of $74,755—a $44,775 shortfall that places the county among the poorest in America. This dramatic gap reflects decades of economic contraction following the decline of coal mining.

Lowest income in West Virginia

At $29,980, McDowell County's median household income ranks dead last among West Virginia's 55 counties, falling $24,766 below the state average of $54,746. This profound disparity underscores McDowell's exceptional economic struggle within an already economically challenged state.

Significantly behind regional peers

McDowell County's $29,980 median income trails all neighboring counties dramatically: Mercer County ($47,799), Mingo County ($39,527), and Wyoming County are substantially ahead. The county's isolation at the income bottom reflects concentrated economic distress not seen in surrounding areas.

Housing costs consume household income

McDowell County's 27.5% rent-to-income ratio approaches the danger threshold of 30%, meaning housing consumes more than one-quarter of median earnings. Even at bargain median home values of $49,200, homeownership stretches household finances dangerously thin.

Urgent need for economic intervention

McDowell County households face immediate financial precarity, with median incomes barely covering basic needs before wealth-building is possible. Residents should prioritize accessing job training, education programs, and community economic development initiatives designed to raise earning potential and break cycles of poverty.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in McDowell County

via CrimeByCounty

McDowell Boasts a Remarkable Safety Profile

McDowell County features a safety score of 99.4, reflecting its low total crime rate of 386.0 per 100K. This rate is a mere fraction of the national average, which stands at 2,385.5 per 100K.

One of West Virginia’s Safest Counties

McDowell ranks as one of the safest counties in the state, easily beating the state safety score average of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 386.0 is less than half the state average of 949.0.

Tranquility Compared to Regional Hubs

McDowell is safer than neighboring Mercer County, where the crime rate reaches 1,184.3 per 100K. It offers a very quiet environment compared to the higher activity seen in nearby regional hubs.

Low Rates Across All Crime Categories

Violent crime accounts for 158.6 incidents per 100K, while property crime is slightly higher at 227.4. These numbers show that McDowell residents experience very low levels of both personal and property-related offenses.

Consistency is Key for Home Security

Low crime rates should not lead to complacency in your personal security routine. Keeping high-value items out of sight and securing entry points preserves the peace of mind McDowell is known for.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in McDowell County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate Mountains and Cool Summer Days

McDowell County averages 52.8°F annually, which is consistent with the national median. Its high-elevation terrain helps suppress extreme summer heat compared to other regions at this latitude.

Matching the State Average Exactly

McDowell's 52.8°F average is the exact state average for West Virginia. While rainfall and snowfall data are limited for this area, its temperature profile is highly representative of the state.

A Regional Haven From Extreme Heat

While neighboring Logan County endures 46 days of extreme heat, McDowell sees only 5 days. This makes it significantly cooler during the summer months than its western neighbors.

Mild Summers and Standard Appalachian Winters

The summer average is a comfortable 69.9°F, with July peaking at just 71.6°F. Winters are typical for the region, with an average seasonal temperature of 35.0°F from December to February.

Lower Cooling Needs and Essential Heating

Residents enjoy low summer utility bills as temperatures rarely hit 90°F. Focus investments on reliable heating systems to handle the consistent 33.0°F January average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in McDowell County

via SoilByCounty

Highly Acidic Appalachian Entisols

McDowell County features highly acidic Entisols with a pH of 2.97, far below the state average of 5.25. This extreme acidity suggests a unique chemical environment that differs sharply from the national median of 6.5.

Light Mineral Mix with Low Clay

The soil profile contains 23.7% sand and 16.5% silt, creating a relatively light mineral mix. With only 8.5% clay, the soil lacks the typical heavy structure found in many West Virginia valleys.

Surprising Organic Matter, Low Water

Organic matter reaches 36.87%, which is well above the already high state average of 21.03%. However, the available water capacity is quite low at 0.066 in/in, meaning plants may struggle to access moisture despite the rich organic content.

Rapid Drainage in Young Soils

As Entisols, these soils represent 'young' earth with limited horizon development. The low clay content and low water capacity suggest that while drainage might be rapid, the soil struggles to hold onto essential nutrients.

Extended Seasons in Zone 7a

Located in Zone 7a, McDowell offers a slightly longer growing season than its northern neighbors. Acid-loving plants like blueberries thrive here, and gardeners can succeed by focusing on species that tolerate low water retention.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in McDowell County

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming Soil Challenges in 7a

McDowell County scores 67.8 for lawn difficulty, which is slightly above the state average despite some unique environmental hurdles. Located in the warmer Hardiness Zone 7a, the county offers a longer window for outdoor maintenance.

Mild Summers and Cool Peaks

Lawns here benefit from an incredibly mild summer climate, with only 5 extreme heat days compared to the state average of 17. The 3081 growing degree days ensure steady, manageable growth throughout the season without the stress of frequent scorching heat.

Neutralizing Extreme Soil Acidity

The soil pH in McDowell is a very low 2.97, which is far too acidic for healthy grass and requires significant lime amendments. Because the soil is sandy (23.7%) and low in clay (8.5%), nutrients may leach out quickly, making regular soil testing a necessity.

Zero Drought Stress Observed

McDowell County has seen zero weeks of drought over the past year, keeping natural moisture levels high. While precipitation data is limited, the lack of dry spells means your main concern will be soil chemistry rather than water conservation.

A Long Window for Success

The growing season starts early here, with the last frost typically occurring by April 24. For this 7a zone, heat-tolerant cool-season blends are ideal once you have corrected the soil pH to the target range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McDowell County's county score?
McDowell County, West Virginia has a composite county score of 55.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does McDowell County rank among counties in West Virginia?
McDowell County ranks #47 among all counties in West Virginia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in McDowell County, West Virginia?
The median annual property tax in McDowell County is $337, with an effective tax rate of 0.67%. This earns McDowell County a tax score of 63.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in McDowell County?
The median household income in McDowell County, West Virginia is $31,559 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. McDowell County earns an income score of 0.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is McDowell County, West Virginia a good place to live?
McDowell County scores 55.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #47 in West Virginia. The best way to evaluate McDowell County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare McDowell County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.