CountyScore

Monroe County

West Virginia · WV

#13 in West Virginia
74.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Monroe County, West Virginia

Monroe leads among peers nationally

Monroe County scores 74.8, the second-highest in this group and 50% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 75th percentile. This strong performance reflects genuine livability advantages at a national scale.

Above West Virginia average

Monroe's 74.8 score edges above West Virginia's state average of 72.2, ranking it among the state's top performers. The county offers above-average quality of life within its regional context.

Balanced affordability and stability

Monroe delivers strong Cost (87.7) and Tax (88.8) scores with median home values of $146,100 and rents at $677/month, creating broad accessibility. The exceptional Risk Score of 71.7—highest in this cohort—signals strong economic resilience and stability.

Income potential remains constrained

The Income Score of 19.0 reflects a median household income of $54,508, limiting earning potential relative to wealthier regions. The Health Score of 63.1 also trails some peer counties, suggesting wellness access gaps.

Sweet spot for stable families

Monroe County suits families and workers seeking a resilient, affordable community with low risk and accessible housing alongside moderate incomes. It's an excellent choice for those valuing economic stability and predictability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.8Cost87.7SafetyComing SoonHealth63.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19Risk71.7WaterComing Soon
🏛88.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19
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
⚡71.7
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 Monroe County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cleveland County
Arkansas
74.8
Median income: $50,509
Decatur County
Indiana
74.8
Median income: $74,228
Steuben County
Indiana
74.8
Median income: $71,483
Wallace County
Kansas
74.8
Median income: $60,263
Garrett County
Maryland
74.8
Median income: $69,031

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Monroe County

via TaxByCounty

Monroe County offers exceptional tax value

Monroe County's effective rate of 0.478% ranks in the lowest 10% nationally, with median taxes of $698 representing less than 26% of the national median of $2,690. Property owners here enjoy significant tax advantages over typical American homeowners.

Slightly below West Virginia average

Monroe County's 0.478% rate runs slightly below West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, positioning it as a below-average tax county statewide. The median tax of $698 tracks nearly identical to the state median of $699.

Lowest rate in the southern region

Monroe County's 0.478% rate sits below Mercer County (0.497%) and well below Mason County (0.535%), offering the most favorable tax positioning in its regional peer group. The median tax of $698 reflects balanced property valuations across the southern area.

Median tax on Monroe County homes

A typical Monroe County home valued at $146,100 generates $698 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages generally pay approximately $716 when escrow is included.

Review your assessment for overvaluation

Monroe County homeowners should verify that their property assessments align with current market values. An appeal to your county assessor could unlock tax savings if your home has been overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Monroe County

via CostByCounty

Monroe County rents below national average

Monroe County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% beats the national average of 16.9%, delivering above-average housing affordability despite below-average median income. With rents of $677/month and income of $54,508, Monroe County offers solid value for budget-conscious renters.

Strong affordability among state peers

Monroe County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks in the top tier of West Virginia counties, outperforming the state average of 16.9%. The county's favorable rental conditions reflect low rents relative to local income levels.

Balanced costs in southern region

Monroe County's $677/month rent falls between Mineral County's $684 and Mercer County's $813, while its median income of $54,508 sits in the middle of regional peers. This balance creates one of the region's more stable affordability profiles.

Ownership costs comparable to rents

Renters spend $677/month (14.9% of income), while homeowners allocate $568/month (12.5%)—a modest $109 gap favoring ownership. The median home value of $146,100 positions Monroe County as an accessible market for first-time buyers seeking stability.

Steady ground for Appalachian living

Monroe County delivers balanced affordability and moderate housing costs—appealing to those seeking neither extreme bargains nor premium markets. Compare this profile against Mineral County's higher income or Mingo County's lower rents to find your ideal fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe trails U.S. income benchmark

Monroe County's median household income of $54,508 falls below the U.S. median of $74,755 by $20,247, placing the county in the lower-middle income tier nationally. This gap reflects typical rural Appalachian economic patterns.

Slightly above West Virginia average

Monroe County's $54,508 median household income sits just above the West Virginia state average of $54,746, ranking near the middle of state county performance. The county mirrors typical West Virginia income distributions.

Mid-range regional income

Monroe County's $54,508 median income ranks above Mason County ($53,454) and Mercer County ($47,799), but trails Monongalia County ($62,704) and Mineral County ($68,049). The county holds a middle position within its regional economic peer group.

Housing costs manageable

Monroe County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio falls well below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating solid housing affordability for median earners. With median home values at $146,100, homeownership remains realistic and sustainable for county median-income households.

Build financial security strategically

Monroe County households earning $54,508 can build modest wealth through disciplined saving, directing 8-10% of income toward retirement and emergency funds. With manageable housing costs, residents have capacity for gradual wealth accumulation and financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Monroe County

via HealthByCounty

Monroe County's health mirrors state patterns

At 72.3 years, Monroe County's life expectancy is just 0.1 years above West Virginia's state average but trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 4.1 years. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (23.6%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national rate of 17.9%, indicating chronic disease and preventable mortality are ongoing concerns.

Slightly better than West Virginia average

Monroe County's 72.3-year life expectancy essentially matches West Virginia's 72.2-year state average, suggesting typical health outcomes for the state. The 8.1% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 7.6%, affecting a meaningful portion of the community's healthcare access.

Mid-pack performer in regional health

Monroe County's 72.3-year life expectancy ranks below Marshall (74.3 years), Mineral (73.5 years), and Monongalia (77.6 years) but above the crisis-level counties of McDowell (65.1 years) and Mingo (65.8 years). The 8.1% uninsured rate ties it with Mercer County and suggests shared challenges in coverage access across this region.

Solid primary care with strong mental health support

Monroe County has 41 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, offering reliable frontline access and slightly exceeding state baseline capacity. Mental health providers at 73 per 100,000 provide robust behavioral health support, helping residents manage depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

Close the coverage gap in Monroe County

With 8.1% of residents uninsured—nearly 1 in 12—coverage access remains a barrier to health in Monroe County. Explore plans on healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to find affordable coverage and ensure your family has protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Monroe County

via RiskByCounty

Monroe County has very low national disaster risk

Monroe County's composite risk score of 28.28 ranks it in the "Very Low" category—the lowest rating and far below West Virginia's state average of 49.21. The county is among the safest in the nation by overall hazard exposure, exceeding baseline protections significantly.

Safest county in West Virginia

Monroe County ranks as the lowest-risk county in West Virginia by a substantial margin, with its 28.28 score far below the state average. No other West Virginia county approaches Monroe's exceptional safety profile across hazard categories.

Far safer than all surrounding counties

Monroe County's score of 28.28 is dramatically lower than Mercer County (65.24), McDowell County (76.65), and all other regional peers. The county's exceptional safety makes it a clear outlier among West Virginia's hazard-exposed jurisdictions.

All hazard risks remain comparatively low

Monroe County's highest hazard scores are wildfire (50.25) and earthquake (44.15), both still below the state average and considered low in national context. Tornado risk of 9.70 is among the lowest in the state, and flood risk of 49.27 remains moderate rather than acute.

Standard homeowners insurance likely sufficient

Monroe County's low overall risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most properties. Those in specific flood zones should still verify flood insurance availability, but the county's 49.27 flood score suggests lower urgency than most West Virginia counties.

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.