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Randolph County, West Virginia — County Report Card

WV

#28 in West Virginia

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
62.6
County Score
Property Tax 94.1Cost of Living 78.7Weather & Climate 62.8

County Report Card

About Randolph County, West Virginia

Outperforming the National Median Score

Randolph County earns a composite score of 62.7, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This indicates a quality of life that exceeds the typical American county profile.

Leading the West Virginia Average

The county edges out the state average of 62.0, marking it as a strong performer within West Virginia. It maintains consistent scores across education, safety, and housing affordability.

Elite Tax Savings and Affordability

A tax score of 94.3 is backed by a very low 0.391% effective tax rate. Housing is a major strength, with a cost score of 77.0 and a median home value of just $137,800.

Infrastructure and Economic Growth Needs

Water quality scores low at 13.5, indicating a need for localized infrastructure investment. The income score of 25.0 also suggests room for growth despite a median household income of $55,057.

A Solid Choice for Families

Randolph is ideal for families seeking a safe community with a respectable school score of 59.1. It provides a balanced lifestyle where low taxes help maximize the value of local earnings.

2040608010094.178.76244.659.116.84313.562.8Tax94.1Cost78.7Safety62Health44.6Schools59.1Income16.8Risk43Water13.5Weather62.862.6/100
This county
National avg
2 above average2 below average

Randolph County DNA

Doverall

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

Randolph County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (94.1/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (13.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
94.1+42.099999999999994
Cost
78.7+30.700000000000003
Safety
62
Health
44.6
Schools
59.1
Income
16.8-34.2
Risk
43
Water
13.5-44.5
Weather
62.8
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$144,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$821/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$144,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $52,757/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

18.0

per 100K

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

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Upshur County
West Virginia
61.9
Barbour County
West Virginia
63.3
Pocahontas County
West Virginia
58.1
Tucker County
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70.5
Pendleton County
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77.2
Highland County
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Webster County
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Lewis County
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Deep Dives

Randolph County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Randolph County

via TaxByCounty

Randolph has the lightest tax touch

Randolph County's effective tax rate of 0.391% ranks it in the lowest 15% of all U.S. counties, far below the national median of 0.73%. At $539 annually, property taxes here are less than one-fifth of the national median of $2,690.

Second-lowest in West Virginia

Randolph County ranks among the lowest-taxing counties in West Virginia, with an effective rate of 0.391% compared to the state average of 0.497%. Only a handful of counties in the state offer lower tax rates, making Randolph attractive for tax-conscious residents.

The region's tax bargain

Randolph's 0.391% rate is the lowest among nearby counties: Tucker County is 0.353%, Summers County is 0.304%, Raleigh is 0.514%, and Ritchie is 0.649%. Randolph sits near the bottom, making it a competitive option regionally for property tax burden.

Budget $539 per year

On the median home value of $137,800, Randolph County residents pay just $539 annually in property tax. Adding mortgage-related costs brings the total to $608; without a mortgage, the base tax is $499.

Double-check your assessment

Even in low-tax counties, overassessment happens—and you have the right to appeal. If your property's assessed value seems inflated compared to recent sales of similar homes in Randolph, a formal challenge could save you money.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Randolph County

via IncomeByCounty

Randolph County earns 26% below nation

Randolph County's median household income of $55,057 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $20,000. Like most West Virginia counties, Randolph faces a persistent income gap driven by limited access to higher-wage industries and educational hubs.

Just above West Virginia's middle

At $55,057, Randolph County slightly exceeds West Virginia's median income of $54,746, ranking in the upper-middle tier statewide. This modest advantage positions the county among the more economically stable regions in the state.

Outpaces Raleigh by $3,000

Randolph County edges out neighboring Raleigh County by roughly $3,000 in median household income, suggesting stronger job market diversity or slightly higher wage levels. Both counties remain interconnected through similar industrial and service-based economies.

Rent eats 17.6% of household income

The county's rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% ranks among the most affordable in the region, well below the national concern threshold of 30%. At a median home value of $137,800, housing remains within reach for middle-income families.

Leverage affordability to build assets

With a median household income of $55,057 and low rent burden at 17.6%, Randolph County residents can redirect savings into retirement accounts and investment portfolios. Starting even modest monthly contributions to a Roth IRA compounds significantly over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Randolph County

via CrimeByCounty

Randolph County Outperforms National Safety Averages

Randolph County earns an impressive safety score of 98.6, reflecting a total crime rate of 878.4 per 100,000 residents. This figure is less than half the national average of 2,385.5 per 100,000.

Comparing Randolph to State Safety Benchmarks

The county performs better than the state average, staying below the West Virginia total crime rate of 949.0. It aligns closely with the state's average safety score of 98.5, indicating a very safe environment.

Regional Safety in the Highlands

The local crime rate of 878.4 is slightly lower than Ritchie County’s 905.1, showing consistent safety across the region. However, it is notably higher than neighbor Tucker County, which reports a very low 266.8.

Breaking Down Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 289.2 per 100,000, while property crime accounts for 589.2. Most reported incidents involve non-violent property offenses rather than physical confrontations.

Simple Steps for Home Security

Even in high-safety areas, visible security measures like doorbell cameras discourage opportunistic property crimes. Keeping valuables out of sight and locking vehicles further reduces the likelihood of theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Randolph County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cold, Wet Mountain Stronghold

Randolph County's 48.5°F average temperature is much lower than the national median. It also ranks as a very wet region, receiving 53.9 inches of annual precipitation.

Exceeding State Rainfall and Snowfall

At 48.5°F, Randolph is several degrees colder than the state average of 52.8°F. It receives nearly 7 inches more rain and much more snow than the average West Virginia county.

Snowier Than Its Southern Neighbor

Randolph averages 82.3 inches of snow, surpassing Pocahontas County's 68.6 inches. It shares the region's lack of extreme heat, recording just one day per year over 90°F.

Harsh Winters and Crisp Summers

The county faces long winters with a January average of 27.4°F and over 80 inches of snow. Summers are exceptionally mild, with a July average of only 68.0°F.

Prepare for Heavy Winter Loads

Homes need high-quality insulation and roof structures capable of handling 82.3 inches of snow. Waterproof gear is essential year-round to manage the high 53.9 inches of annual precipitation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Randolph County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic foundations in the high country

Randolph County shares the state's typical acidic profile, where the average pH of 5.25 is much lower than the national median of 6.5. This level of acidity influences which nutrients are available to native forests and crops. Specific local taxonomic data is not currently recorded in this dataset.

Natural texture and drainage balance

Although specific sand and silt percentages are not listed, the county's rugged terrain suggests a mix that favors drainage. The workability of local soil depends heavily on these unrecorded ratios of mineral particles. Growers should test their specific plots to determine the best tillage practices.

Productivity fueled by organic content

The state average for organic matter is an impressive 21.03%, providing a massive boost compared to the 2.0% national average. This high carbon content helps maintain a state-wide water capacity of 0.142 in/in. These factors suggest the region has high potential for nutrient retention.

Navigating the hydrologic landscape

Dominant drainage classes remain unspecified for this county, requiring local observation for farming and construction. Proper water management is essential in the Appalachian highlands to prevent erosion and runoff. Knowing your hydrologic group helps in designing effective irrigation and drainage systems.

High-altitude gardening in Zone 6a

With a Hardiness Zone of 6a, Randolph County experiences shorter growing seasons than its neighbors. The cool climate and acidic soils are perfect for rhododendrons, blueberries, and potatoes. It is an excellent environment for gardeners who enjoy the challenges and rewards of mountain cultivation.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Randolph County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Challenges in High Elevation Turf

Randolph County scores 50.5 on the difficulty scale, aligning almost exactly with the national median. This Zone 6a region presents more challenges than the state average of 66.5 due to its shorter growing window and higher precipitation levels.

Abundant Rainfall and Short Summers

The county receives a heavy 53.9 inches of rain annually, which exceeds the ideal lawn range and can lead to saturated roots. Only one extreme heat day per year means you won't struggle with wilting, but you must monitor for fungal issues from the moisture.

Managing High-Moisture Soil

Soil data is limited for this county, but the high rainfall suggests a need for excellent drainage. We recommend testing your soil to see if amendments are required to manage the potential acidity from frequent heavy rains.

A Year of Significant Dryness

Despite high total rainfall, the county spent 33 weeks in drought over the last year. This volatility means you should install rain barrels to capture runoff for use during those surprisingly frequent dry stretches.

Beating the Early October Frost

Tall Fescue is a hardy choice for this 6a zone and handles the variable moisture well. Ensure you finish seeding by mid-September to avoid the first fall frost, which typically arrives by October 12.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Randolph County's county score?
Randolph County, West Virginia has a composite county score of 62.6 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 Randolph County rank among counties in West Virginia?
Randolph County ranks #28 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 Randolph County, West Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Randolph County is $559, with an effective tax rate of 0.39%. This earns Randolph County a tax score of 94.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Randolph County?
The median household income in Randolph County, West Virginia is $52,757 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Randolph County earns an income score of 16.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Randolph County, West Virginia a good place to live?
Randolph County scores 62.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #28 in West Virginia. The best way to evaluate Randolph 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 Randolph 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.