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Mineral County, West Virginia — County Report Card

WV

#33 in West Virginia

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
61.2
County Score
Property Tax 88.8Cost of Living 74.8Schools 64

County Report Card

About Mineral County, West Virginia

Well Above National Livability Standards

Mineral County achieves a composite score of 63.5, comfortably beating the national median of 50.0. This high score reflects a balanced profile for a rural American community.

Outperforming the West Virginia Average

The county slightly edges out the West Virginia state average of 62.0. This performance suggests a higher standard of living than many other jurisdictions in the state.

Strong Fiscal Health and High Incomes

Fiscal health is a major asset with a Tax Score of 89.3 and an affordable Cost Score of 85.9. The median household income of $68,049 is reflected in a solid Income Score of 62.0.

Water Infrastructure and Safety Hurdles

Water infrastructure is the primary challenge, scoring low at 15.6. Safety also trails other metrics with a score of 44.3, representing an area for local improvement.

Ideal for Middle-Income Families

Mineral County is an excellent choice for families who want their dollar to go further. It offers a rare balance of higher local income levels and a very low cost of living.

2040608010088.874.844.351.66460.447.215.644.3Tax88.8Cost74.8Safety44.3Health51.6Schools64Income60.4Risk47.2Water15.6Weather44.361.2/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Mineral County DNA

Doverall

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

Mineral County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (88.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (15.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
88.8+36.8
Cost
74.8+26.799999999999997
Safety
44.3-10.700000000000003
Health
51.6
Schools
64+10
Income
60.4+9.399999999999999
Risk
47.2
Water
15.6-42.4
Weather
44.3-11.700000000000003
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$180,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$809/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$180,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $69,375/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

26.0

per 100K

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

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Allegany County
Maryland
50
Garrett County
Maryland
61.8
Hampshire County
West Virginia
63.4
Grant County
West Virginia
70.7
Morgan County
West Virginia
59.3
Hardy County
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Somerset County
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Frederick County
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Deep Dives

Mineral County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mineral County

via TaxByCounty

Mineral County offers exceptional tax savings

Mineral County's effective rate of 0.465% ranks in the lowest 5% nationally, with median taxes of $838 representing just one-third the national median of $2,690. The county delivers significant tax advantages compared to typical American property ownership.

Below-average rate statewide

Mineral County's 0.465% rate runs slightly below West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, positioning it as a below-average tax county. The median tax of $838 exceeds the state median of $699, reflecting Mineral's higher median home values of $180,400.

Competitive rates in the northern zone

Mineral County's 0.465% rate sits between Marshall County (0.456%) and Monongalia County (0.485%), offering competitive positioning in its northern peer group. Despite the lowest rate in the region, Mineral generates higher median taxes due to higher property valuations.

Annual tax on median Mineral County home

A typical Mineral County home valued at $180,400 carries an annual property tax of $838. With mortgage escrow included, homeowners typically pay around $968 per year.

Investigate potential assessment overages

Mineral County homeowners should verify that their property assessments reflect current market conditions. An appeal to your county assessor's office could reduce your tax bill if your home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mineral County

via IncomeByCounty

Mineral leads West Virginia income

Mineral County's median household income of $68,049 exceeds the West Virginia average of $54,746 by $13,303, though it still trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $6,706. The county represents West Virginia's strongest income performance, approaching national average earnings.

Top-tier West Virginia income

At $68,049, Mineral County ranks among the highest-income counties in West Virginia, demonstrating exceptional economic strength relative to state peers. The county's $13,303 advantage over the state average places it in the elite income category statewide.

Regional income leader

Mineral County's $68,049 median income significantly outpaces neighboring Marshall County ($60,329), Monongalia County ($62,704), and Monroe County ($54,508). The county emerges as the regional income powerhouse, reflecting diversified economic opportunities.

Excellent housing affordability

Mineral County's 12.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the most favorable in the state, meaning housing costs consume just one-eighth of median earnings. With median home values at $180,400, homeownership remains accessible and sustainable for median-income households.

Mineral County wealth-building opportunity

Mineral County households earning $68,049 have genuine capacity to build substantial wealth, with favorable housing costs leaving room for aggressive retirement and investment strategies. Residents should direct 12-15% of income toward long-term wealth building while maintaining emergency reserves.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mineral County

via CrimeByCounty

Mineral County Scores High on Safety

Mineral County earns a 98.0 safety score, supported by a total crime rate of 1,250.1 per 100K. This figure remains well below the national average of 2,385.5, indicating a secure environment.

Near the West Virginia Safety Benchmark

At 1,250.1 incidents per 100K, Mineral County exceeds the state average crime rate of 949.0. However, its safety score of 98.0 remains very close to the state's high average of 98.5.

Safer than Northern Regional Centers

Mineral County has a higher crime rate than nearby Monroe, which sees only 337.7 crimes per 100K. Compared to Monongalia's rate of 1,863.5, Mineral is a quieter alternative in the northern part of the state.

Focus Remains on Property Protection

The data shows 1,127.7 property crimes per 100K, vastly outnumbering the 122.4 violent crimes reported. This profile suggests that most law enforcement activity focuses on non-violent property disputes and thefts.

Secure Your Outer Structures First

Since property crime is the primary concern, securing garages and sheds is a smart move for residents. Simple deterrents like visible security cameras can help keep your property off a thief's radar.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Mineral County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler than the national average

Mineral County maintains an annual average temperature of 52.5°F, sitting about 2.5 degrees below the national median. This climate type offers residents a refreshing alternative to the sweltering humid subtropical zones found further south.

Aligning with the Mountain State average

The county's average temperature of 52.5°F mirrors the West Virginia state average of 52.8°F almost perfectly. While it matches on temperature, its 41.4 inches of annual rain is notably drier than the state's 47.0-inch norm.

A drier profile than eastern neighbors

At 41.4 inches of annual precipitation, Mineral is significantly drier than Nicholas County to the southwest. However, it shares a nearly identical temperature profile with nearby Morgan County, which averages 52.4°F.

Hot summers meet snowy winters

Residents face 42 days of extreme heat above 90°F annually, which is high for the region. Winters contrast sharply with 33.5 inches of annual snowfall and January lows averaging near 30.1°F.

Prepare for temperature extremes

Homeowners should invest in high-efficiency cooling to manage the 42 days of extreme heat each summer. Robust snow removal equipment is also essential to handle the 33.5 inches of seasonal accumulation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Mineral County

via SoilByCounty

Acidity Trends in Mineral County

While taxonomic data is missing, Mineral County shares a regional landscape that usually averages a 5.25 pH. This is more acidic than the national median of 6.5, requiring careful management for many standard garden crops.

Upland and Valley Texture Mix

No specific data exists for the county's sand, silt, or clay percentages. Growers often find that regional soils vary between rocky upland textures and softer valley silts depending on the local topography.

Rich State-Wide Organic Benchmarks

Organic matter levels for Mineral County are not currently recorded in the central database. Because the state average is a high 21.03%, local gardeners should check if their specific soil meets these nutrient-rich benchmarks.

Focusing on Root Health

Hydrologic and drainage classifications are unavailable for this county. Ensuring proper water movement is essential for healthy roots, especially in areas with the varying slopes common to this part of the state.

A Robust Climate in Zone 7a

This county belongs to Hardiness Zone 7a, offering a robust climate for a variety of fruit trees and vegetables. You can take advantage of the milder winters to extend your harvest well into the autumn months.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mineral County

via LawnByCounty

A Challenging Climate for Grass

Mineral County presents a more difficult environment than most of West Virginia, with a lawn score of 59.8. This is lower than the state average of 66.5, largely due to high heat and prolonged dry periods in Hardiness Zone 7a.

Intense Heat Tests Turf Endurance

The county faces 42 extreme heat days per year, more than double the state average of 17. When combined with 41.4 inches of precipitation, this heat puts significant stress on cool-season grasses during the peak of summer.

Preparation is Key to Success

Though specific soil metrics are unavailable, the high heat levels mean soil moisture management is the top priority here. Homeowners should look to improve soil depth and quality to give roots a better chance of surviving the 42 days of 90-degree temperatures.

Battling Persistent Dry Spells

Drought is a major factor here, with 37 weeks in drought over the last year and current conditions at 100% abnormally dry. Water conservation is critical, so consider taller mowing heights to shade the soil and reduce evaporation.

Focus on Heat-Tolerant Varieties

In Zone 7a, heat-tolerant Tall Fescues are the best bet for surviving Mineral County’s intense summers. Aim to seed your lawn by the last spring frost on April 30 to allow for maximum root growth before the heat arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mineral County's county score?
Mineral County, West Virginia has a composite county score of 61.2 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 Mineral County rank among counties in West Virginia?
Mineral County ranks #33 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 Mineral County, West Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Mineral County is $818, with an effective tax rate of 0.45%. This earns Mineral County a tax score of 88.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mineral County?
The median household income in Mineral County, West Virginia is $69,375 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mineral County earns an income score of 60.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mineral County, West Virginia a good place to live?
Mineral County scores 61.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #33 in West Virginia. The best way to evaluate Mineral 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 Mineral 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.