CountyScore

Preston County

West Virginia · WV

#20 in West Virginia
74
County Score

County Report Card

About Preston County, West Virginia

Solid livability above national median

Preston County's composite score of 74.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 48%, placing it in the upper range of American counties. This reflects consistent strengths in affordability and tax structure.

Slightly above state average

Preston County scores 74.0 versus the West Virginia average of 72.2, positioning it slightly ahead of the statewide baseline. It ranks as a solid middle-to-upper performer in this eight-county group.

Low taxes and balanced affordability

Preston County delivers a tax score of 88.9 with an effective tax rate of 0.474%, paired with a cost score of 85.5 and median home values around $157,700. Income score of 23.5 and median household income of $61,373 suggest moderate earning potential.

Health outcomes and risk need bolstering

Preston County's health score of 63.0 trails peer counties, while the risk score of 66.2 suggests moderate vulnerability to economic or environmental shocks. Safety and school data gaps further limit the full picture of county livability.

Good fit for cost-conscious professionals

Preston County appeals to professionals and families balancing career stability with affordable living costs. It offers reasonable income potential, low taxes, and manageable housing prices—making it suitable for middle-income households seeking rural or small-town living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.9Cost85.5SafetyComing SoonHealth63SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.5Risk66.2WaterComing Soon
🏛88.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡66.2
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 Preston County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bibb County
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Median income: $49,040
Fremont County
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Median income: $72,767
Metcalfe County
Kentucky
74
Median income: $48,572
Trimble County
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Median income: $67,813

Deep Dives

Preston County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Preston County

via TaxByCounty

Preston County taxes well below national average

Preston County's effective tax rate of 0.474% ranks below the national median of 0.62%, placing it in roughly the bottom third nationally. The median property tax of $747 represents just 28% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting a genuinely affordable tax environment.

Close to West Virginia's state average

Preston County's effective rate of 0.474% sits nearly at West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, placing it in the state's lower-middle tier of counties. Median taxes of $747 run 7% above the state median of $699, reflecting a fairly typical tax burden for West Virginia.

Mid-range taxes among regional peers

Preston County's 0.474% effective rate falls between Pocahontas County (0.315% lowest) and Ohio County (0.587% highest) among regional neighbors. Its median tax of $747 is cheaper than Morgan County ($1,145) but pricier than Nicholas County ($550).

Annual tax averages $747 per home

On Preston County's median home value of $157,700, the effective tax rate of 0.474% yields an estimated annual property tax of $747. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $942, while those without mortgages pay around $603.

Check if your assessment is fair

Preston County homeowners who suspect their property is overassessed can file an appeal with the county assessor to challenge the valuation. A successful appeal could lower your annual tax bill—many overassessments are corrected once properly reviewed.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Preston County

via CostByCounty

Preston County rents remain very affordable

At 14.7%, Preston County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below both the national affordability threshold and West Virginia's 16.9% state average. Median rent of $753 and household income of $61,373 create a balanced housing market where families retain substantial income for other priorities.

Ties Pendleton as state's best value

Preston County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio matches Pendleton County as the best-performing in West Virginia within this group, beating the state average of 16.9% by 2.2 percentage points. At $753 monthly rent with $61,373 median household income, Preston County delivers genuine affordability.

Balanced option among equals

Preston County's 14.7% affordability ratio ties Pendleton County, though Preston's $753 rent is slightly higher than Pendleton's $754 (essentially identical) but lower than Morgan County ($832) and Ohio County ($823). Preston County offers the sweet spot: low costs, reasonable incomes, and no affordability pressure.

Moderate costs across tenure types

Preston County renters pay $753 monthly while homeowners carry $618 in mortgage costs, with both groups managing comfortably within the 14.7% affordability threshold. With median household income at $61,373, renters dedicate 14.7% of earnings to housing, leaving approximately $5,200 annually for other household needs.

Preston County: balanced relocation option

Preston County competes directly with Pendleton County for relocation appeal: 14.7% affordability ratio, $753 rent, and $61,373 median income create a no-pressure housing market. With median home values at $157,700, both renters and buyers find genuine value without the affordability strain visible in neighboring Ohio County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Preston County

via IncomeByCounty

Preston County below national average

Preston County's median household income of $61,373 falls 17.9% short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting rural economic pressures. Despite this, the county performs well relative to many rural counties nationwide.

Strong performer statewide

Preston County's median household income of $61,373 exceeds the West Virginia state average of $54,746 by 12.1%, ranking it among the top-earning counties in the state. This demonstrates solid economic foundation within the region.

Upper tier among peers

Preston County's $61,373 income ranks among the strongest in its region, tied with Pleasants County ($61,038) and second only to Putnam County ($77,871). The county's economic performance reflects diversified employment base.

Rent and housing well-balanced

With a rent-to-income ratio of 14.7%, Preston County households spend less than one-sixth of earnings on rent, below the 30% affordability threshold. A median home value of $157,700 is reasonable relative to median household income.

Build wealth through planning

Preston County's solid income foundation supports wealth building through retirement savings and strategic homeownership. Work with a financial advisor to develop a personalized plan for maximizing tax-advantaged accounts and long-term investments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Preston County

via HealthByCounty

Preston County slightly above national average

At 74.0 years, Preston County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 72.5 years by about 18 months. However, 25.1% of residents report poor or fair health, exceeding the national rate of 19%, indicating longer lives don't eliminate the burden of chronic disease.

Above-average longevity, above-average struggle

Preston County's 74.0-year life expectancy ranks above West Virginia's state average of 72.2 years, but its 25.1% poor/fair health rate is notably high. The county exemplifies West Virginia's broader pattern: residents live longer but struggle with chronic conditions throughout their extended lives.

Sparse primary care, very limited mental health

With just 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Preston County has below-average primary care access. Mental health capacity is even more constrained at 38 per 100,000—the lowest in the region—severely limiting support for residents facing behavioral health crises.

Above-average uninsured, below-average care access

Preston County's uninsured rate of 8.4% exceeds West Virginia's 7.6% average, affecting roughly 1 in 12 residents. Combined with sparse primary and mental health provider density, uninsured residents face compounded barriers to preventive care and chronic disease management.

Get covered despite provider shortages

Preston County's healthcare desert makes insurance coverage even more critical—it ensures you're prepared for travel to distant care when needed and covers telehealth options. Start at healthcare.gov to find plans that fit your situation, even with limited local provider networks.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Preston County

via RiskByCounty

Preston County Below National Average

Preston County's composite risk score of 33.84 sits below the national average, carrying a "Very Low" rating. The county faces lower natural disaster exposure than most American communities, positioning it as a relatively safe place for environmental hazards.

Among Lower-Risk West Virginia Counties

Preston County's 33.84 score places it well below the West Virginia state average of 49.21, ranking among the state's safer counties. Residents benefit from below-average exposure to the full spectrum of natural disasters.

Moderate Risk in Mixed Regional Context

Preston County's risk lies between the safest counties like Pocahontas (27.54) and Pleasants (20.26) and the higher-risk Nicholas County (58.17). Its position in north-central West Virginia reflects moderate vulnerabilities relative to both safe upland and riskier river-valley neighbors.

Flood and Tornado Require Attention

Flood risk (59.57) and tornado exposure (27.10) are Preston County's most notable hazards, with both above-average relative to the state. Wildfire (27.39), earthquake (27.77), and hurricane (55.11) risks all remain moderate across the county.

Flood and Tornado Insurance Matter

Preston County residents should secure flood insurance given the 59.57 flood risk score and ensure homeowners policies include wind coverage for tornadoes. Maintaining weather alerts and creating a family emergency plan are essential preparations for the county's primary hazards.

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.