countyscore

Pleasants County, West Virginia — County Report Card

WV

#2 in West Virginia

Explore on ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
76.5
County Score
Safety 91.5Cost of Living 87.8Water 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.

2040608010079.387.891.551.677.536.479.88659.9Tax79.3Cost87.8Safety91.5Health51.6Schools77.5Income36.4Risk79.8Water86Weather59.976.5/100
This county
National avg
6 above average1 below average

Pleasants County DNA

C+overall

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

Pleasants County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Cost of Living (87.8/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
79.3+27.299999999999997
Cost
87.8+39.8
Safety
91.5+36.5
Health
51.6
Schools
77.5+23.5
Income
36.4-14.600000000000001
Risk
79.8+32.8
Water
86+28
Weather
59.9
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Pleasants County?

Many homeowners in Pleasants County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$151,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$715/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$151,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $60,932/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

26.4

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Pleasants County with Judith Basin County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Judith Basin County
Montana
Median income: $59,000
76.5
Thomas County
Nebraska
Median income: $65,000
76.5
Nuckolls County
Nebraska
Median income: $73,976
76.2
Wayne County
Utah
Median income: $76,607
75.8
Bath County
Virginia
Median income: $56,184
75.8
Pendleton County
West Virginia
Median income: $64,931
77.2
Wheeler County
Nebraska
Median income: $70,250
77.8
Burke County
North Dakota
Median income: $91,591
75.2

Nearby counties

Ritchie County
West Virginia
59.1
Washington County
Ohio
49
Tyler County
West Virginia
69.3
Wood County
West Virginia
46.3
Monroe County
Ohio
64.9
Wirt County
West Virginia
67.8
Doddridge County
West Virginia
68.6
Noble County
Ohio
70.5

Deep Dives

Pleasants County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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

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

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 76.5 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 $819, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Pleasants County a tax score of 79.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Pleasants County?
The median household income in Pleasants County, West Virginia is $60,932 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Pleasants County earns an income score of 36.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Pleasants County, West Virginia a good place to live?
Pleasants County scores 76.5/100 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.
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.