CountyScore

Mercer County

West Virginia · WV

#38 in West Virginia
70.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Mercer County, West Virginia

Mercer clears the national median

Mercer County scores 70.2, nearly 40% above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the 71st percentile. This strong performance indicates above-average livability across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below state average

Mercer's 70.2 score falls marginally below West Virginia's state average of 72.2, positioning it as a solid but unremarkable performer within the state. The county occupies the middle tier of West Virginia's livability ranking.

Tax and cost efficiency dominate

Mercer delivers strong Tax (88.3) and Cost (85.9) scores with an effective tax rate of 0.497% and median home values of $118,600. The county offers good value for cost-conscious residents while maintaining reasonable housing affordability.

Income and risk show strain

The Income Score of 14.6 reflects a median household income of just $47,799, limiting earning potential, while the Risk Score of 34.8 suggests moderate economic volatility. These areas indicate that residents face income constraints and economic uncertainty.

Steady choice for pragmatic settlers

Mercer County appeals to families seeking a stable, affordable community without expecting rapid income growth or significant economic dynamism. It's ideal for those who value predictability and low living costs over entrepreneurial opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.3Cost85.9SafetyComing SoonHealth61.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.6Risk34.8WaterComing Soon
🏛88.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.8
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 Mercer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lafayette County
Arkansas
70.2
Median income: $37,237
Quitman County
Georgia
70.2
Median income: $36,838
Mahaska County
Iowa
70.2
Median income: $69,019
Jessamine County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $74,886
Lawrence County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $45,584

Deep Dives

Mercer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mercer County

via TaxByCounty

Mercer County matches West Virginia's state average

Mercer County's effective rate of 0.497% aligns precisely with West Virginia's state average, placing it in the lowest 10% nationally. The median property tax of $589 sits comfortably below the national median of $2,690.

Right at West Virginia's statewide standard

Mercer County's 0.497% rate matches West Virginia's state average exactly, making it a textbook example of typical statewide taxation. The median tax of $589 tracks well below the state median of $699, reflecting Mercer's lower median home values.

Moderate rates in the southern region

Mercer County's 0.497% rate falls between Monroe County (0.478%) and Mason County (0.535%), positioning it as a middle-ground option in its peer group. The median tax of $589 reflects balanced property valuations across the region.

Median home generates $589 annual tax

A typical Mercer County home valued at $118,600 produces an annual property tax of $589. Homeowners with mortgages generally pay approximately $777 when escrow is included.

Verify your assessment value today

Overassessed properties are widespread across West Virginia, including Mercer County. Contact your county assessor to request a reassessment if you believe your home is valued above its market price.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mercer County

via CostByCounty

Mercer County rents exceed national norms

Mercer County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.4% surpasses the national average of 16.9% by more than 200 basis points, signaling above-average housing stress. With a median income of $47,799 and median rent of $813/month, Mercer renters spend significantly more of their paychecks on housing than typical American households.

Above average burden for West Virginia

Mercer County's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio places it in the upper tier of burden among West Virginia counties, worse than the state average of 16.9%. The combination of below-average income and above-average rents creates a particularly tough affordability squeeze for local renters.

Priciest rents, tightest income stretch

Mercer County's $813/month rent ties with Marshall County but exceeds nearby Mingo ($604) by $209 and Mason ($654) by $159, yet local incomes lag most neighbors. This unfavorable ratio makes Mercer County among the least desirable for renters seeking value in the southern region.

Rent demands more than ownership

Renters carry a $813/month burden (20.4% of income), while homeowners allocate $516/month (12.9%)—a $297 monthly gap that highlights the rental disadvantage. The median home value of $118,600 suggests ownership remains more affordable than renting for those with down-payment capacity.

Compare carefully before settling

Mercer County's combination of high rents and modest incomes makes it one of West Virginia's tougher housing markets—renters should explore nearby Mason or Mingo counties for better value. If considering relocation here, ensure job prospects justify the above-average cost of living.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mercer County

via IncomeByCounty

Mercer trails U.S. income median

Mercer County's median household income of $47,799 lags the national median of $74,755 by $26,956, placing the county in the lower income tier nationally. This gap is typical for rural Appalachian counties facing post-industrial economic transitions.

Below-average but stable statewide

Mercer County's $47,799 median income ranks below the West Virginia average of $54,746 by $6,947, positioning it in the lower-middle range of state counties. The county's performance reflects broader rural income challenges across the state.

Mid-range income among peers

Mercer County's $47,799 median income ranks above struggling McDowell County ($29,980) and Mingo County ($39,527), but trails Monroe County ($54,508) and Marshall County ($60,329). The county occupies a lower-middle position within its regional economy.

Housing costs pressure household budgets

Mercer County's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeds healthy affordability levels, meaning housing consumes one-fifth of median household earnings. With median home values at $118,600, homeownership remains accessible but requires disciplined financial management.

Strategic financial planning essential

Mercer County households earning $47,799 must carefully budget to create wealth-building capacity, potentially redirecting 5-8% of income to retirement and emergency savings. Working with financial counselors can help residents navigate housing constraints while building long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mercer County

via HealthByCounty

Mercer County lags the national health picture

Mercer County's life expectancy of 68.7 years falls 7.7 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years, indicating serious health vulnerabilities. Though 22.2% report poor or fair health—above the national rate of 17.9%—the county shows better health outcomes than neighboring McDowell and Mingo counties.

Below state average but improving

At 68.7 years, Mercer County's life expectancy trails West Virginia's 72.2-year average by 3.5 years, suggesting ongoing health challenges in the community. However, the uninsured rate of 7.9% is nearly equal to the state average, showing that coverage access is not the primary barrier to care.

Mid-range peer—better than crisis counties

Mercer County's 68.7-year life expectancy ranks above McDowell (65.1 years) and Mingo (65.8 years) but below Marshall (74.3 years) and Monongalia (77.6 years), placing it in the middle of regional health outcomes. The 7.9% uninsured rate is slightly above state average, affecting healthcare access for a meaningful portion of residents.

Exceptional mental health support and primary care

Mercer County stands out with an exceptional 165 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding state capacity and addressing behavioral health needs aggressively. With 51 primary care providers per 100,000, the county also offers strong primary care access, suggesting that provider availability is less of a barrier than other factors affecting health outcomes.

Insurance gaps affect 1 in 12 residents

Mercer County's 7.9% uninsured rate means real families lack healthcare access despite strong provider availability. Head to healthcare.gov or contact Mercer County Health Department to explore coverage options and ensure your family has the protection it deserves.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mercer County

via RiskByCounty

Mercer County significantly exceeds national average risk

Mercer County's composite risk score of 65.24 is 33% above West Virginia's state average of 49.21 and substantially above the national baseline. The county ranks in the upper tier nationally for overall disaster exposure, driven by multiple concurrent hazards.

Fifth-highest risk county in West Virginia

Mercer County ranks among West Virginia's most hazard-exposed counties, with its 65.24 score placing it in the top five statewide. Only McDowell, Mingo, Monongalia, and one other county carry comparably high or higher overall risk profiles.

Higher risk than Marshall, lower than McDowell

Mercer County's score of 65.24 exceeds Mason County (57.44) and Marshall County (56.81) to the north, but falls below McDowell County (76.65) to the south. The county occupies the mid-to-upper range among its regional peers.

Flood, earthquake, and wildfire are primary hazards

Mercer County's flood risk of 78.34 is the highest single hazard, followed by earthquake risk at 70.99—the second-highest in the state. Wildfire risk of 62.85 further elevates the county's overall exposure profile, while tornado and hurricane risks remain moderate.

Flood and earthquake insurance both recommended

Flood insurance is essential given the 78.34 flood risk score, particularly in floodplain areas. Earthquake insurance should be strongly considered as well, given the county's exceptionally high seismic score of 70.99—among the state's highest.

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.