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Summers County, West Virginia — County Report Card

WV

#34 in West Virginia

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
60.9
County Score
Property Tax 98.2Lawn Care 83.9Safety 76.3

County Report Card

About Summers County, West Virginia

Strong National Standing for Summers

Summers County holds a composite score of 60.9, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high standard of living regarding safety and tax burden.

Matching the State Average Profile

The county sits just below the 62.0 state average, reflecting a profile typical of West Virginia's scenic rural areas. It excels in specific niche areas like tax efficiency and safety.

Elite Tax Efficiency and Safety

A nearly perfect tax score of 98.2 is supported by an effective tax rate of just 0.304%. Residents also enjoy a high safety score of 76.3, providing a secure environment for families.

Low Income and Health Scores

The income score of 4.9 is among the lowest in the region, with a median household income of $42,544. Health outcomes also require attention, currently scoring at 24.5.

Great for Retirees and Savers

Summers is a top choice for those on fixed incomes who want to minimize tax liabilities and live in a safe area. The combination of low property taxes and high safety creates a very stable lifestyle.

Score breakdown

Tax98.2Cost67.6Safety76.3Health24.5Schools52Income4.9Risk59.8Water40.3Weather69.7
🏛98.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼4.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡76.3
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤24.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓52
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡59.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧40.3
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤69.7
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱83.9
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

Summers County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Summers County

via TaxByCounty

Summers offers the lowest tax rates

At 0.304%, Summers County has one of the lowest effective tax rates in the entire United States, ranking in the bottom 5% nationally compared to the 0.73% median. Homeowners here pay just $384 annually, less than 15% of the national median property tax.

West Virginia's tax leader

Summers County's 0.304% effective rate is the lowest among all 55 West Virginia counties, well below the state average of 0.497%. This exceptional advantage makes Summers a top choice for property owners seeking minimal tax burden.

Clear winner regionally

Summers' 0.304% rate beats every surrounding county decisively: Tucker (0.353%), Randolph (0.391%), and Roane (0.444%) all charge more. It stands as the region's most tax-friendly jurisdiction by a significant margin.

Just $384 keeps your budget light

On the median home value of $126,100, Summers County residents pay only $384 in annual property tax. With mortgage costs, it rises to $450; without a mortgage, the tax alone is $348.

Even low rates deserve verification

While Summers County's tax rate is exceptional, overassessment can still occur on individual properties. Request a reassessment review if you believe your home's assessed value is higher than recent market sales of similar properties in the county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Summers County

via CostByCounty

Summers struggles with severe affordability gap

Summers County's rent-to-income ratio of 26.0% is the worst in West Virginia and far exceeds the national average of roughly 15%. With a median household income of just $42,544—43% below the national median—renters here face crushing housing burdens.

Summers ranks as state's least affordable

At 26.0%, Summers' rent-to-income ratio dramatically exceeds West Virginia's 16.9% average, making it the state's least affordable county. Median rent of $922 is the highest in the state, paired with the lowest incomes, creating a perfect affordability storm.

Summers rents top all surrounding counties

Summers' median rent of $922 exceeds every neighboring county—Raleigh ($847), Roane ($590), and Ritchie ($583)—despite its residents earning less. This disadvantageous combination makes Summers an outlier in the region.

Over one-quarter of income goes to rent

Renters spend $922 monthly—a staggering 26.0% of the $42,544 median income—leaving little for other necessities. Homeownership at $464 monthly is more manageable, but median home value of $126,100 remains challenging for low-income buyers.

Summers requires careful financial planning

Summers County poses serious affordability challenges; renters spend over one-quarter of income on housing while earning the state's lowest median income. Relocate here only if employment offers substantial income boost, or consider Roane or Ritchie for superior affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Summers County

via IncomeByCounty

Summers County earns 43% below nation

Summers County's median household income of $42,544 represents one of the lowest in the nation, falling over $32,000 below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county faces substantial economic headwinds and limited high-wage employment opportunities.

West Virginia's lowest-income county

At $42,544, Summers County ranks as the lowest-income county among the eight profiled, trailing West Virginia's median of $54,746 by over $12,000. The county's economy reflects severe dependence on declining industries without sufficient economic diversification.

Lowest income among regional peers

Summers County's income of $42,544 ranks lowest in this group, trailing nearest peer Roane County ($45,194) by $2,650. The county's isolation from higher-wage regional centers compounds income challenges.

Rent burden reaches 26% threshold

Summers County's rent-to-income ratio of 26% approaches the affordability danger zone, meaning housing costs consume over one-quarter of median earnings. This elevated burden constrains household savings capacity despite a median home value of $126,100.

Prioritize debt reduction and stability

With a median household income of $42,544 and a rent-to-income ratio of 26%, Summers County residents should focus on eliminating high-interest debt before attempting investment. Building even a modest emergency fund of $1,000–$2,000 provides critical financial protection.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Summers County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety Levels in Summers County

Summers County is exceptionally safe, posting a total crime rate of only 567.3 per 100,000 residents. This performance earns it a safety score of 99.1, vastly outperforming the national score.

Summers County Leads State Safety

The county’s crime rate is nearly half the West Virginia average of 949.0 per 100,000. It stands as a leader in state-wide safety, supported by consistent data from five reporting agencies.

A Safer Regional Alternative

Summers is significantly safer than neighboring Raleigh County, which has a much higher crime rate of 3,195.0. It also maintains lower incident levels than Roane County’s 705.8.

Low Risk Across Crime Categories

Property crimes total 425.5 per 100,000, while violent crimes are limited to 141.8. These numbers translate to a very low risk for residents in their daily lives.

Maintaining Community Security

High safety scores are a community asset that residents can help maintain through vigilance. Simple habits like locking garage doors and using timers for indoor lights can prevent crimes of opportunity.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Summers County

via HealthByCounty

Summers faces steep health challenges

At 69.4 years, Summers County has the lowest life expectancy in this county set—5.7 years below the U.S. average of 75.1 years. Over one in four residents reports poor or fair health, nearly double the national average and indicating severe chronic disease burden.

Summers ranks among West Virginia's worst

Summers trails the state average life expectancy of 72.2 years by 2.8 years, placing it firmly in the lower tier of West Virginia health outcomes. Its poor/fair health rate of 26.2% exceeds the state median, reflecting concentrated disadvantage.

Summers' health crisis is stark and urgent

At 69.4 years, Summers has the lowest life expectancy in this eight-county set, trailing Tucker County by nearly 6 years. The county's health profile mirrors Raleigh County (69.5 years), suggesting shared regional and socioeconomic drivers of poor outcomes.

Critically short on primary care providers

Summers has just 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below county and state needs—and an 8.3% uninsured rate. Though mental health providers at 164 per 100K offer some capacity, the shortage of basic primary care limits disease prevention and early intervention.

Coverage opens the door to longer, healthier lives

With one of the state's worst health profiles, Summers County residents deserve accessible healthcare—but 8.3% remain uninsured, often due to cost. Explore Medicaid expansion and marketplace subsidies at healthcare.gov to remove financial barriers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Summers County

via SchoolsByCounty

Education in the heart of Summers County

Summers County runs four public schools serving a student body of 1,318. The infrastructure includes three elementary schools and one high school that serves students from grades 6 through 12.

Strong outcomes and efficient spending

The 92% graduation rate in Summers County significantly beats the national average of 87%. Although the $6,944 per-pupil expenditure is lower than state levels, the school score of 54.5 remains well above the national median.

A single district for all learners

Summers County Schools is the sole provider of public education here, with no charter schools in operation. Summers County High School is the largest campus, hosting 745 students in its combined secondary program.

Primarily rural campus environments

The county features three rural schools and one town school, with an average enrollment of 330 students per campus. While the high school is the largest, Jumping Branch Elementary offers a very small school experience with just 98 students.

Relocate to a high-graduation district

Summers County offers a high graduation rate and a variety of small-school settings that appeal to many families. Find your next home here to take advantage of an education system that values both performance and community.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Summers County

via RiskByCounty

Summers maintains well-below-average risk

Summers County's composite risk score of 40.24 sits comfortably below the national average, indicating lower-than-typical natural disaster exposure. While flooding at 59.64 and wildfire at 46.95 are the county's notable hazards, tornado risk remains exceptionally low at 6.84.

Lower-risk county in West Virginia

Summers County ranks among West Virginia's safer counties with a composite score of 40.24, well below the state average of 49.21. The county benefits from relatively balanced hazard exposure with no single catastrophic risk dominating the profile.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Summers County's 40.24 score is notably lower than neighboring Raleigh County (65.52) and Roane County (45.01), making it a regional refuge from disaster exposure. Only Tyler County (35.59) presents comparable or lower risk in the immediate vicinity.

Balanced threats from floods and wildfires

Summers County faces dual primary hazards: flooding at 59.64 and wildfire risk at 46.95, both requiring distinct preparedness strategies. Earthquake risk at 33.14 presents a tertiary concern, while tornado exposure remains negligible at 6.84.

Standard insurance adequate for most residents

Summers County's moderate risk profile means standard homeowner insurance provides reasonable baseline protection for most residents. Those in forest-adjacent properties should consider wildfire preparedness and defensible space maintenance, while flood insurance remains advisable near waterways.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Summers County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warmer, Drier Mountain Pocket

Summers County's 55.0°F average temperature is slightly higher than the national median. It remains drier than many of its neighbors, averaging only 41.0 inches of precipitation annually.

Above Average Temperatures for WV

Summers County is warmer than the 52.8°F state average. It is also one of the drier counties in West Virginia, receiving six inches less precipitation than the state norm.

Warmer and Drier Than Raleigh

Summers County is notably warmer than neighboring Raleigh, averaging 55.0°F versus Raleigh's 51.3°F. It also receives less than half the annual snowfall of its western neighbor.

Mild Winters and Warm Summers

The county sees 14 days of heat at or above 90°F and a July average of 74.8°F. Winters are relatively light for the region, with only 18.8 inches of annual snowfall.

Prepare for Summer Warmth

With a 74.8°F July average and 14 heat days, cooling systems are a wise investment here. Winter needs are more moderate, as the county only averages about 19 inches of snow.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Summers County

via SoilByCounty

Managing acidic soils in Summers County

Like much of the state, Summers County likely deals with acidic soil conditions near the state average of 5.25 pH. This is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5, affecting nutrient solubility. Specific local taxonomic and pH data are currently limited in this dataset.

Varied textures and drainage capacity

Specific data on sand, silt, and clay percentages are not available for this county. Textural composition is vital because it determines the soil's workability and how it responds to heavy rain. Most West Virginia soils require a balance between these mineral components to thrive.

Abundant organic richness

Summers County likely benefits from the state's high average organic matter content of 21.03%. This is over ten times the national average of 2.0%, providing a massive boost to soil fertility. The state also maintains a solid average water capacity of 0.142 in/in.

Essential water management

There is currently no specific data on drainage classes or hydrologic groups for this county. Knowing if your soil belongs to group A or D can drastically change how you manage irrigation or basement waterproofing. Local residents should observe water retention in their yards after heavy storms.

Warm growing season in Zone 7a

Summers County enjoys a warmer climate than many neighbors, sitting in Hardiness Zone 7a. This allows for a longer growing season and a wider variety of plants, including some heat-loving vegetables. It is a prime location to establish a productive home garden or small farm.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Summers County

via LawnByCounty

Top-Tier Conditions for Local Lawns

Summers County is one of the easiest places in the state to grow grass, with a high score of 83.9. As a warmer Zone 7a region, it offers a longer, more productive growing season than most of West Virginia.

Warmer Days and Longer Seasons

With 3,664 growing degree days, your lawn has a massive window for development. The 41.0 inches of annual precipitation is slightly lower than the state average but remains within the ideal 30-50 inch range for turf.

Supporting a Vigorous Growing Season

Soil-specific data is not currently listed for Summers County. Given the higher heat and growth potential, homeowners should prioritize nitrogen-rich fertilizers to support the vigorous 3,664 growing degree days.

Consistent Water for Zone 7a

The county experienced 12 weeks of drought last year but remains currently clear of all dry classifications. Because Summers is warmer than its neighbors, maintain consistent watering during the 14 annual days that exceed 90 degrees.

Early Starts and Heat-Tolerant Grass

Tall Fescue or even Zoysia can work well in this 7a zone due to the higher heat capacity. You can start seeding as early as April 10th, giving you a head start on the rest of the state.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Summers County's county score?
Summers County, West Virginia has a composite county score of 60.9 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 Summers County rank among counties in West Virginia?
Summers County ranks #34 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 Summers County, West Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Summers County is $384, with an effective tax rate of 0.30%. This earns Summers County a tax score of 98.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Summers County?
The median household income in Summers County, West Virginia is $42,544 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Summers County earns an income score of 4.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Summers County, West Virginia a good place to live?
Summers County scores 60.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #34 in West Virginia. The best way to evaluate Summers 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 Summers County with other counties side by side.

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🏛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.