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Pleasants County, West Virginia — County Report Card

WV

#2 in West Virginia

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
76
County Score
Safety 91.5Cost of Living 86.2Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Pleasants County, West Virginia

Exceptional National Livability

Pleasants County earns a composite score of 76.0, well above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a county that provides a superior balance of safety, cost, and infrastructure. It ranks as a highly desirable location on the national stage.

Outpacing the State Average

With a score of 76.0, Pleasants County is a standout performer compared to the West Virginia average of 62.0. It ranks as one of the state's most balanced counties for public services and affordability. Residents enjoy a quality of life that outclasses most of the region.

Unmatched Safety and Affordability

Safety is the county's defining trait, with an elite score of 91.5. This is complemented by a cost score of 86.2, where median rent is a modest $700. High water quality (86.0) and strong schools (77.5) further enhance its appeal as a reliable community.

Increasing Local Incomes

The county’s primary growth area is its income score of 42.1, with median household earnings at $61,038. Health outcomes also sit in the mid-range with a score of 51.6. While these scores are not low, they are the relative soft spots in an otherwise dominant profile.

Peace of Mind for Families

Pleasants County is the best choice for anyone prioritizing personal safety and affordable homeownership. It offers a secure environment for families and retirees alike, with a median home value of just $129,300. This is a top-tier county for those who want a worry-free lifestyle.

Score breakdown

Tax76.4Cost86.2Safety91.5Health51.6Schools77.5Income42.1Risk79.8Water86Weather59.9
🏛76.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡91.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤51.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓77.5
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡79.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤59.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱72.2
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Deep Dives

Pleasants County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pleasants County

via TaxByCounty

Pleasants County taxes beat national average

Pleasants County's effective tax rate of 0.582% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.62%, marking it as below-average nationally. The median property tax of $752 is just 28% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting a favorable tax environment compared to most of the country.

Slightly above West Virginia's norm

Pleasants County's effective rate of 0.582% runs 17% above West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, placing it in the state's upper-middle tier. Median taxes of $752 exceed the state median of $699 by 8%, reflecting a somewhat steeper local tax posture.

Mid-range taxes among regional peers

Pleasants County's 0.582% effective rate sits between Preston County (0.474% lower) and Ohio County (0.587% higher), placing it in the regional middle. Its median tax of $752 is more expensive than Nicholas County ($550) but cheaper than Morgan County ($1,145).

Annual tax averages $752 per home

On Pleasants County's median home value of $129,300, the effective tax rate of 0.582% yields an estimated annual property tax of $752. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $791, while those without mortgages pay approximately $699.

Assessment appeals could lower your bill

If you believe your Pleasants County home is overassessed, you can file a formal challenge with the county assessor to seek a lower valuation. Many homeowners succeed in appeals—a reduced assessment could save you hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pleasants County

via CostByCounty

Pleasants County: West Virginia's most affordable

At 13.8%, Pleasants County claims the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this entire group, signaling exceptional affordability compared to both the national average and the national norm. Median rent of just $700 and household income of $61,038 create a housing market where renters retain maximum income for savings and living expenses.

The state's affordability champion

Pleasants County's 13.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks as West Virginia's best-in-class, beating the state average of 16.9% by a substantial 3.1 percentage points. At $700 monthly rent, Pleasants County undercuts the state median of $760 while maintaining solid household income of $61,038.

Lowest rents with strong incomes

Pleasants County's $700 rent is the lowest in its peer group, and its 13.8% affordability ratio beats every neighbor including Pendleton County (14.7%), Preston County (14.7%), and Morgan County (15.7%). This combination of low rents and healthy incomes makes Pleasants County a standout value.

Renters save the most here

Pleasants County renters pay just $700 monthly while homeowners carry $578 in mortgage costs—manageable for both groups. With median household income at $61,038, renters dedicate only 13.8% of earnings to housing, leaving roughly $5,270 annually for all other household needs.

Pleasants County: unbeaten value

For relocators prioritizing housing affordability, Pleasants County offers the best math in this cohort: lowest rents ($700), strongest affordability ratio (13.8%), and reasonable income levels. Whether renting or buying, this county maximizes your housing purchasing power while keeping budgets balanced.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pleasants County

via IncomeByCounty

Pleasants County below national median

Pleasants County's median household income of $61,038 falls 18.4% short of the national median of $74,755, though its per capita income of $40,318 is notably strong. This suggests concentrated earning power among some households.

Above state average income

Pleasants County's median household income of $61,038 exceeds the West Virginia state average of $54,746 by 11.5%, placing it in the upper tier of state counties. The county demonstrates solid economic performance relative to peers.

Strong performer in region

Pleasants County's $61,038 income ranks solidly among peers, slightly below Pendleton County ($61,738) and Preston County ($61,373) but well above Nicholas County ($49,280). The county's strong per capita income suggests growing earning power.

Best housing affordability locally

Pleasants County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among peer counties at 13.8%, meaning households spend less than one-seventh of earnings on rent. A median home value of $129,300 is highly affordable relative to median income.

Unique opportunity for savings

Pleasants County's favorable housing costs relative to income create exceptional opportunity to save and invest. Households should prioritize building emergency funds and exploring tax-advantaged retirement and education savings accounts.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Pleasants County

via CrimeByCounty

Pleasants County Leads the Nation in Safety

Pleasants County achieves a near-perfect safety score of 99.8. Its total crime rate of 144.3 per 100,000 is staggeringly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This represents one of the most secure counties in the country based on 2022 data.

The Gold Standard for West Virginia Safety

With a safety score of 99.8, Pleasants County far exceeds the state average of 98.5. Its crime rate of 144.3 is a fraction of the West Virginia average of 949.0 per 100,000. Five reporting agencies work to maintain this impressively low crime profile.

Outperforming All Regional Safety Benchmarks

Pleasants County is roughly three times safer than Ohio County, which has a rate of 473.7. It also significantly beats Pendleton County’s low rate of 357.4 per 100,000. No neighboring county in the data set matches this level of security.

Minimal Crime Impact on the Community

Violent crime is nearly non-existent at just 52.5 per 100,000 people. Property crime is also remarkably low at 91.8, compared to a national average over 2,000. These statistics show that crime is a very rare occurrence for local families.

Protecting the Peace in Pleasants County

While property crime is low at 91.8 per 100,000, basic security remains a good investment. Simple habits like locking vehicles and installing motion lights keep the risk of opportunistic crime at zero. A proactive community approach ensures these high safety scores continue.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Pleasants County

via HealthByCounty

Best life expectancy, above-average health

Pleasants County leads with a life expectancy of 74.8 years—nearly 2.5 years above the U.S. average of 72.5 years. At 23.2% poor/fair health, the rate exceeds the national average, but the county's exceptional longevity suggests residents are living longer despite chronic conditions.

West Virginia's longevity champion

Pleasants County's 74.8-year life expectancy ties for the state's highest, exceeding West Virginia's average of 72.2 years by 2.6 years. The county stands out as one of the state's longest-living communities, though its 23.2% poor/fair health rate suggests aging residents manage significant health challenges.

Limited primary care, adequate mental health

Pleasants County has just 13 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest among comparison counties—creating a critical access gap for preventive care. However, 81 mental health providers per 100,000 is adequate, suggesting the county manages behavioral health better than primary disease prevention.

Best uninsured rate in the region

Pleasants County's uninsured rate of 5.8% is the lowest among comparison counties and well below West Virginia's 7.6% average. However, the extreme scarcity of primary care providers—just 13 per 100,000—means many insured residents still struggle to find available physicians.

Insurance helps even with few providers

Pleasants County's excellent insurance coverage rate doesn't solve the primary care shortage, but it ensures you can travel for specialist care when needed. Verify your coverage and learn about telehealth options at healthcare.gov—they're essential tools in areas with limited local providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Pleasants County

via SchoolsByCounty

Efficient Schooling in Pleasants County

Pleasants County maintains five public schools serving over 1,000 students in a single district. The infrastructure provides two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

Strong Success at State Funding Levels

The county reports a high 97.0% graduation rate, well above the 87% national average. Per-pupil spending of $7,772 aligns perfectly with the West Virginia state average.

Pleasants County Schools District

Pleasants County Schools manages the entire student population of 1,086. The district currently operates without any charter school alternatives.

A Welcoming Town School Atmosphere

Four of the five schools are located in town settings, making the district feel more centralized than many rural WV counties. St. Marys High School is the largest campus, enrolling 324 students.

Community-Focused Living Near St. Marys

A high graduation rate and compact school sizes make Pleasants County a top choice for families. Finding a home near the town schools ensures easy access to these high-performing campuses.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pleasants County

via RiskByCounty

Pleasants County's Exceptionally Low Risk

Pleasants County's composite risk score of 20.26 ranks among the lowest in the nation, earning a "Very Low" rating. The county faces minimal natural disaster exposure compared to the American average, making it one of the safest communities for environmental hazards.

West Virginia's Safest County

Pleasants County's 20.26 composite score is the lowest in West Virginia, drastically below the state average of 49.21. Residents benefit from exceptional natural disaster safety relative to all other counties in the state.

Unmatched Safety in Region

Pleasants County's risk score is substantially lower than all neighboring counties, including Morgan County (30.44) and Preston County (33.84). Its geographic position and landscape provide unparalleled protection from natural hazards across the broader region.

Minimal Hazard Exposure Countywide

Even Pleasants County's highest-risk hazard—flood at 50.03—remains below state and national averages. Wildfire risk is exceptionally low at just 3.66, while tornado (12.40), earthquake (15.46), and hurricane (43.01) exposures are all minimal.

Standard Coverage Protects Your Home

Pleasants County residents need only standard homeowners insurance to adequately protect their properties given the county's minimal hazard exposure. Focus on routine home maintenance and general preparedness rather than specialized disaster insurance or mitigation.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Soil Quality in Pleasants County

via SoilByCounty

River Valley Soil Profiles

Pleasants County lacks specific pH and taxonomic data in the current regional survey. Historically, the state average of 5.25 pH serves as a guide, indicating naturally acidic conditions. Local testing is highly recommended for any agricultural or gardening project to determine lime requirements.

Texture and Workability along the Ohio

Sand, silt, and clay percentages are currently unrecorded for this county. As part of the Ohio River valley, soils here often contain alluvial deposits that can range from sandy to silty. These valley soils are generally considered some of the more workable terrains in the region.

Relying on State Fertility Baselines

With local organic matter data missing, the state average of 21.03% provides a target for local soil health. Maintaining high organic levels is vital for buffering the acidity common in West Virginia. Enriching the soil with local organic waste can bridge the gap in nutrient availability.

Managing Water Flow and Drainage

No specific drainage class is assigned to Pleasants County in this dataset. Given its proximity to the Ohio River, some areas may experience high water tables or seasonal drainage challenges. It is best to observe water movement on your land during heavy spring rains.

Warm-Season Success in Zone 6b

Pleasants County falls into hardiness zone 6b, providing a reliable environment for summer staples like beans and squash. The river-influenced climate often helps moderate extreme temperatures. Dig in and start a home garden to take advantage of the valley's productive potential.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Pleasants County

via LawnByCounty

Favorable Lawn Conditions in Pleasants

Pleasants County scores a 72.2 on the lawn difficulty scale, significantly outpacing the national average of 50.0. In this Zone 6b environment, most homeowners find that grass establishes quickly and stays healthy with routine maintenance.

Balanced Rain and High Summer Heat

With 47.3 inches of annual precipitation, the county meets the ideal rainfall requirements for lush turf. Be prepared for 18 extreme heat days, which is slightly above the state average and requires extra watering during July heatwaves.

Building a Healthy Soil Base

While specific local soil composition data is limited, the overall high lawn score suggests a productive environment for gardening. We recommend a standard soil test to ensure your yard isn't trending toward the acidity common in the Ohio River Valley.

High Resilience and Minimal Drought

The county is currently drought-free and experienced only 7 weeks of drought over the past year. This makes Pleasants one of the most stable counties in the state for maintaining a consistent green lawn without restriction.

Perfect for Cold-Hardy Varieties

Zone 6b is ideal for cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Without specific frost date data, homeowners should monitor local weather stations and aim to seed when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pleasants County's county score?
Pleasants County, West Virginia has a composite county score of 76 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 Pleasants County rank among counties in West Virginia?
Pleasants County ranks #2 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 Pleasants County, West Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Pleasants County is $752, with an effective tax rate of 0.58%. This earns Pleasants County a tax score of 76.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Pleasants County?
The median household income in Pleasants County, West Virginia is $61,038 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Pleasants County earns an income score of 42.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Pleasants County, West Virginia a good place to live?
Pleasants County scores 76/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in West Virginia. The best way to evaluate Pleasants 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 Pleasants County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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