CountyScore

McDowell County

West Virginia · WV

#55 in West Virginia
65.6
County Score

County Report Card

About McDowell County, West Virginia

McDowell clears the national bar

McDowell County scores 65.6, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the 66th percentile nationally. Despite regional economic challenges, the county remains above-average on a nationwide scale.

Below average for West Virginia

McDowell's 65.6 score falls below the state average of 72.2, ranking it among West Virginia's weaker-performing counties. The gap reflects deeper structural economic challenges within the county.

Rock-bottom costs attract bargain-seekers

McDowell boasts the state's highest Cost Score of 90.7 with a median home value of just $49,200 and Tax Score of 86.4, making it extraordinarily affordable for first-time buyers or those on tight budgets. Rents average $686/month, among the lowest in West Virginia.

Severe income and health deficits

The Income Score of 3.0—the lowest statewide—reflects a median household income of just $29,980, while the Health Score of 46.2 and Risk Score of 23.4 signal significant challenges in wellness and economic stability. These metrics indicate substantial structural constraints on opportunity and quality of life.

For resilient pioneers seeking affordability

McDowell suits individuals or families with extremely limited budgets, remote income sources, or deep local ties who can weather economic headwinds. It's a high-risk, ultra-affordable option best suited to those with external income security.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.4Cost90.7SafetyComing SoonHealth46.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome3Risk23.4WaterComing Soon
🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤46.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.4
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 McDowell County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sebastian County
Arkansas
65.6
Median income: $56,450
St. Francis County
Arkansas
65.6
Median income: $41,784
St. Joseph County
Indiana
65.6
Median income: $64,885
Bourbon County
Kansas
65.6
Median income: $67,555
Bossier Parish
Louisiana
65.6
Median income: $66,336

Deep Dives

McDowell County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in McDowell County

via CostByCounty

McDowell faces severe affordability crisis

McDowell County's rent-to-income ratio of 27.5% is nearly 63% higher than the national average of 16.9%—a crisis-level affordability gap driven by an extremely low median household income of just $29,980. Renters here spend more than one-quarter of their earnings on housing, the worst burden in the state.

West Virginia's least affordable county

McDowell County ranks dead last in West Virginia for housing affordability, with renters bearing a 27.5% rent-to-income burden that dwarfs every other county in the state. Economic distress—median income is less than 40% of the national average—drives this severe mismatch between housing costs and local earnings.

Trapped between low income and rent

While McDowell's $686/month rent mirrors nearby Mineral County ($684), McDowell residents earn half as much ($29,980 vs. $68,049), creating a double burden. Even Mingo County, the region's next-poorest, shows better affordability at 18.3% thanks to lower rents and slightly higher incomes.

Every dollar counts for housing

Renters allocate $686/month (27.5% of income) while homeowners spend $361/month (14.5%)—a stark gap that reflects limited buying power despite low home values ($49,200). The county's extreme rent burden consumes resources needed for other essentials, perpetuating economic hardship.

Consider relocation for economic relief

McDowell County faces structural housing challenges tied to income collapse rather than excessive rents—potential residents should evaluate whether job opportunities exist before moving here. Compare this county against higher-income peers like Mineral or Monongalia if housing affordability is your priority.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in McDowell County

via HealthByCounty

McDowell County faces a health crisis

At 65.1 years, McDowell County has the lowest life expectancy in this group—a devastating 11.3 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 33.6% of residents reporting poor or fair health, nearly twice the national rate of 17.9%, McDowell faces structural health challenges that demand immediate, sustained action.

Worst health outcomes in West Virginia

McDowell County's 65.1-year life expectancy sits 7.1 years below West Virginia's state average of 72.2 years, making it a critical public health concern. This dramatic gap reflects deep-rooted poverty, limited economic opportunity, and decades of underinvestment in healthcare infrastructure.

Crisis conditions compared to regional peers

McDowell County's 65.1-year life expectancy is only matched by Mingo County (65.8 years) in this region; all other neighbors report 5+ year advantages. The 10.4% uninsured rate is the highest in the group, nearly 40% above the state average, leaving thousands without basic healthcare access.

Severe shortage of primary care doctors

McDowell County has just 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below the state baseline—making routine medical care difficult to access. While mental health providers at 46 per 100,000 offer some behavioral health capacity, residents struggle with basic preventive and acute care due to provider scarcity.

Get covered now—McDowell needs you healthy

With 1 in 10 residents uninsured, coverage gaps worsen outcomes in McDowell. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 today to enroll in a plan and access the care your community desperately needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McDowell County

via RiskByCounty

McDowell County has elevated national disaster risk

McDowell County's composite risk score of 76.65 is significantly above the national average and West Virginia's state average of 49.21—nearly 56% higher. This places McDowell in the upper tier of the nation's more hazard-exposed counties, despite its "Relatively Low" rating classification.

Third-highest risk county in West Virginia

McDowell County ranks among the top three most disaster-prone counties in West Virginia, with its 76.65 score exceeded only by Mingo County (72.58) and Monongalia County (71.53). The county faces substantially above-average exposure across multiple hazard types.

Riskiest in its regional cluster

McDowell County's score of 76.65 far exceeds nearby Mercer County (65.24) and Mingo County (72.58) in the southern region. Only Monongalia County in the north approaches McDowell's overall risk level, making McDowell the most hazard-exposed county in its area.

Flooding, wildfire, and earthquake risks are severe

McDowell County faces particularly acute flood risk at 84.70 and wildfire risk at 69.31—the latter among the highest in the state. Earthquake risk of 58.62 also ranks notably high, reflecting the county's location in a geologically active region of Appalachia.

Comprehensive hazard coverage essential for McDowell

Flood insurance is non-negotiable with a score of 84.70, and wildfire coverage should be reviewed carefully given the county's 69.31 score. Consider earthquake insurance as well—often a standalone policy—given the county's above-average seismic exposure at 58.62.

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.