CountyScore

Nicholas County

West Virginia · WV

#30 in West Virginia
72.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Nicholas County, West Virginia

Strong performer well above national norm

Nicholas County's composite score of 72.3 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking in the upper half of American counties. This 45% advantage reflects solid fundamentals in affordability and tax structure across the board.

Right at West Virginia's median

Nicholas County matches the state average composite score of 72.2 almost exactly, making it a representative county for West Virginia overall. It neither leads nor lags the statewide baseline.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Nicholas County shines with the highest tax score among these eight counties at 88.7 and an outstanding cost score of 88.5, paired with an effective tax rate of just 0.482% and median rent of $669/month. These figures represent some of the lowest living costs in the region.

Income and risk factors need attention

The income score of 15.6 and median household income of $49,280 are notably low, underscoring limited earning potential in the local economy. The risk score of 41.8 also signals environmental or economic vulnerabilities that warrant consideration.

Ideal for budget-conscious, self-sufficient residents

Nicholas County is perfect for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, and those seeking minimal cost of living without relying on local job markets. Its exceptional affordability and low tax environment make it a haven for anyone prioritizing financial security over wage growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.7Cost88.5SafetyComing SoonHealth63.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.6Risk41.8WaterComing Soon
🏛88.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.8
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 Nicholas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Butler County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,881
Choctaw County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,483
Hale County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $41,325
Pike County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $47,961
Gilchrist County
Florida
72.3
Median income: $61,070

Deep Dives

Nicholas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Nicholas County

via TaxByCounty

Nicholas County offers exceptionally low taxes

Nicholas County's effective tax rate of 0.482% ranks among the lowest in the nation, placing it in roughly the bottom 20% nationally. The median property tax of just $550 is a fifth of the national median of $2,690, reflecting an unusually favorable tax environment.

Well below West Virginia average

Nicholas County's effective rate of 0.482% falls just under West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, ranking it among the state's more affordable counties. Median taxes of $550 sit well below the state median of $699, making it one of the least expensive counties in the state.

Lowest-taxed county in this region

Nicholas County edges out Preston County (0.474% effective rate) to claim some of the lowest tax burden among its regional peers. Its median tax of $550 is substantially cheaper than Pleasants County ($752), Ohio County ($970), or Morgan County ($1,145).

Median home tax runs just $550 annually

On Nicholas County's median home value of $114,200, the effective tax rate of 0.482% results in an estimated annual property tax of just $550. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $685, while outright owners pay around $464.

Even lower taxes with a successful appeal

Though Nicholas County already offers below-average taxes, homeowners whose properties are overassessed can file an appeal to lower their assessed value further. A successful appeal could reduce your already-modest tax bill even more—contact the Nicholas County assessor's office to learn the process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Nicholas County

via CostByCounty

Nicholas County: the affordability outlier

Nicholas County's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the national affordability threshold, but the full story requires context: median household income here is only $49,280—nearly 34% less than the U.S. median of $74,755. This county punches at its weight, keeping rents modest at $669 monthly despite the income gap.

Lowest incomes, leanest housing costs

Nicholas County ranks among West Virginia's most affordable by rent-to-income ratio at 16.3%, just above state average of 16.9%, but this reflects discipline, not prosperity. With the lowest median household income in this group at $49,280 and rents at $669, residents have squeezed housing costs down to the bone.

Cheapest rents in a rural cluster

At $669 monthly, Nicholas County undercuts nearly every neighbor: Preston County ($753), Pocahontas County ($688), and Pleasants County ($700) all cost more. The trade-off is income; Nicholas County's $49,280 median household income is the lowest in its peer group, making the low rent essential, not optional.

Renters lean heavily on tight budgets

Nicholas County renters spend $669 monthly while homeowners pay $525 for mortgages—a $144 gap favoring ownership that many residents cannot bridge. With median household income at just $49,280, the 16.3% rent-to-income ratio means renters have roughly $680 left monthly after housing for all other expenses.

Nicholas County for ultra-low-cost living

If you're seeking the lowest housing costs in West Virginia, Nicholas County delivers: $669 rents and $114,200 median home values are genuinely cheap. This affordability comes with a tradeoff—lower local incomes and fewer economic opportunities—making it best for retirees, remote workers, or those prioritizing cost of living above all.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nicholas County

via IncomeByCounty

Nicholas County below national income

Nicholas County's median household income of $49,280 falls 34.1% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower income tier nationally. This gap reflects economic challenges common to rural Appalachian communities.

Below average for West Virginia

Nicholas County's median household income ranks below the state average of $54,746 by 10.0%, placing it in the lower-income half of West Virginia counties. The county faces similar economic headwinds as many peers in the region.

Lower income than regional peers

At $49,280, Nicholas County lags most neighboring counties, with only Pocahontas County ($41,200) earning significantly less. Pendleton County ($61,738) and Preston County ($61,373) earn 25% more, highlighting regional income disparities.

Housing affordability under pressure

Nicholas County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% is manageable, but a median home value of $114,200 still represents 2.3 years of household income. Lower wages make homeownership and maintenance costs challenging for many families.

Start small, build steadily

Even modest households can build wealth through consistent saving and employer retirement plans. Start with automatic transfers to a savings account and explore financial assistance programs available in your county.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Nicholas County

via HealthByCounty

Nicholas County trails national averages

At 71.7 years, Nicholas County's life expectancy falls about 10 months below the U.S. average of 72.5 years. With 22.9% of residents reporting poor or fair health compared to the national rate of 19%, the county faces steeper health challenges than the nation as a whole.

Below-average health in West Virginia

Nicholas County's 71.7-year life expectancy ranks below West Virginia's state average of 72.2 years, placing it among the state's less healthy counties. The 22.9% poor/fair health rate further signals above-average health struggles for residents.

Strong provider access despite health challenges

Nicholas County's life expectancy lags regional neighbors, but its healthcare infrastructure is solid: 86 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 141 mental health providers per 100,000 exceed state averages. Access alone doesn't explain health outcomes, suggesting other factors like income and lifestyle play a role.

Uninsured rate slightly above state

Nicholas County's uninsured rate of 7.9% is slightly higher than West Virginia's 7.6% average, affecting roughly 1 in 12-13 residents. Despite having above-average primary and mental health provider density, residents still face barriers to regular preventive care.

Coverage helps manage chronic conditions

With high rates of poor/fair health in Nicholas County, insurance coverage enables access to preventive care and medication management. Start at healthcare.gov or contact your local health department for low-cost options and enrollment help.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Nicholas County

via RiskByCounty

Nicholas County Slightly Above Average

Nicholas County's composite risk score of 58.17 sits above the national average, carrying a "Relatively Low" rating overall. The county faces moderate natural disaster exposure compared to typical American communities, with particular vulnerabilities in specific hazard categories.

Mid-Range Risk Within West Virginia

Nicholas County's 58.17 score exceeds the West Virginia state average of 49.21, placing it in the moderate-risk tier for the state. This positions the county as more exposed than many neighboring counties but still relatively safer than West Virginia's highest-risk areas.

More Vulnerable Than Many Neighbors

Nicholas County faces higher risk than Pocahontas County (27.54) and Preston County (33.84), but lower exposure than neighboring Putnam County (74.01). Its flood risk of 67.05 aligns it with other river-prone counties in the central state region.

Flooding and Wildfires Lead Hazards

Flood risk dominates Nicholas County's profile at 67.05, significantly above the state average, while wildfire risk (40.59) is also elevated relative to many state counties. Earthquake (39.54) and hurricane (46.14) risks are moderate, though tornado exposure remains low at just 9.67.

Prioritize Flood and Wildfire Coverage

Nicholas County residents should strongly consider flood insurance given the county's 67.05 flood risk score and elevated wildfire vulnerability. Homeowners policies should explicitly cover wildfire damage, and maintaining defensible space around properties is essential preparation.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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