CountyScore

Tucker County

West Virginia · WV

#1 in West Virginia
77.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Tucker County, West Virginia

Tucker ranks among the nation's most livable counties

Tucker County scores 77.9 out of 100, a remarkable 56% above the national median of 50.0 and the highest in this cohort. The score places the county among the nation's top-performing counties for livability.

West Virginia's livability champion

Tucker leads all West Virginia counties with a score of 77.9, substantially exceeding the state average of 72.2. The county stands as a model of balanced, sustainable livability within the state.

Tax, health, and risk resilience excel across the board

Tucker delivers exceptional tax efficiency (92.3), strong health outcomes (67.2—the highest in the group), and outstanding risk resilience (87.5). This combination signals a county that's both prosperous and stable.

Income scores remain modest despite overall strength

Tucker's income score of 18.3 and median household income of $53,475 are respectable but lag its other strengths. Like most West Virginia counties, it offers limited high-wage opportunities compared to national average.

The state's best-rounded livable community

Tucker County appeals to anyone seeking a balanced, resilient, healthy community with low taxes and affordable living. It's ideal for families, retirees, and remote workers prioritizing quality of life and community stability over maximum earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.3Cost87.5SafetyComing SoonHealth67.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.3Risk87.5WaterComing Soon
🏛92.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.5
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 Tucker County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Golden Valley County
Montana
77.9
Median income: $57,353
Ouray County
Colorado
78
Median income: $84,556
Warren County
Indiana
78
Median income: $74,635
Jones County
South Dakota
78
Median income: $64,688
Keweenaw County
Michigan
77.8
Median income: $53,893

Deep Dives

Tucker County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tucker County

via TaxByCounty

Tucker ranks among the nation's lowest

At 0.353%, Tucker County's effective tax rate places it in the bottom 20% of all U.S. counties, well below the national median of 0.73%. The median annual property tax of $511 is less than one-fifth the national median of $2,690.

Second-lowest in the state

Tucker County's 0.353% effective rate ranks it second-lowest among all West Virginia counties, trailing only Summers County (0.304%). This rate sits significantly below the state average of 0.497%, making Tucker exceptionally tax-friendly.

Among the region's lowest rates

Tucker's 0.353% rate edges out Summers (0.304%) and Randolph (0.391%), making it highly competitive regionally. Only Summers beats it; all other neighboring counties charge substantially more.

Pay just $511 per year

On the median home value of $144,700, Tucker County residents pay $511 annually in property tax. With mortgage-related costs, the total rises to $571; without a mortgage, the base tax is $451.

Still worth checking your assessment

Even in low-tax counties, properties can be overassessed relative to recent market sales. Request a formal review of your assessed value if it seems high compared to comparable homes recently sold in Tucker County.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Tucker County

via CostByCounty

Tucker delivers moderate relief for renters

Tucker County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% sits below the national average of roughly 15%, offering fair affordability despite median income of $53,475 being 28% lower than the national median of $74,755. Monthly rent of $689 reflects modest costs for the region.

Tucker ranks middle of state affordability

At 15.5%, Tucker's rent-to-income ratio beats West Virginia's 16.9% state average, placing it solidly in the affordable tier. Median rent of $689 sits just $71 below the state average, making Tucker a balanced option statewide.

Tucker balances costs with neighboring peers

Tucker's $689 rent positions it between cheaper Ritchie ($583) and Roane ($590) and pricier Randolph ($807) and Raleigh ($847). Homeownership costs of $570 monthly rank among the more affordable in the region.

Housing takes steady but sustainable share

Renters spend $689 monthly (15.5% of income), while homebuyers pay $570 on properties averaging $144,700. This split suggests Tucker works reasonably well for either renter or owner profiles with modest incomes.

Tucker offers balanced relocation value

With rent under $690 and homeownership near $570 monthly, Tucker delivers fair affordability for a county with reasonable income levels around $53,500. It's a solid choice for those seeking middle-ground housing costs without extreme trade-offs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Tucker County

via IncomeByCounty

Tucker County trails nation by 28%

Tucker County's median household income of $53,475 falls roughly $21,000 short of the national median of $74,755. However, Tucker's per capita income of $34,982 stands as the highest in this group, suggesting more equitable income distribution.

Solid middle tier in West Virginia

At $53,475, Tucker County sits just below West Virginia's median of $54,746, ranking firmly in the middle tier statewide. The county's per capita income of $34,982 exceeds the state average of $30,335, indicating balanced household earning.

Tucker offers above-average per capita earnings

Tucker County's median household income of $53,475 sits in the middle range locally, but its per capita income of $34,982 exceeds all peers in this group. This suggests fewer multi-income households and more balanced individual wage distribution.

Rent-to-income ratio 15.5%—quite manageable

Tucker County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% remains comfortably affordable, with housing costs consuming less than one-sixth of median earnings. The median home value of $144,700 aligns with regional housing costs and remains accessible.

Strong per capita income supports investing

Tucker County's notably high per capita income of $34,982 and low rent burden of 15.5% provide substantial capacity for wealth building. Residents should leverage this advantage to fund Roth IRAs, health savings accounts, and diversified investment portfolios.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Tucker County

via HealthByCounty

Tucker's health outcomes lead the region

At 75.1 years, Tucker County matches the U.S. life expectancy exactly, making it West Virginia's healthiest county in this set. Only 20.4% report poor or fair health—the lowest rate among these eight counties—signaling strong disease prevention and care management.

Tucker stands out as a state health leader

Tucker's life expectancy of 75.1 years exceeds the state average of 72.2 years by nearly 3 years, and its poor/fair health rate of 20.4% is well below the state median. The county achieves this despite a 9.3% uninsured rate, suggesting effective community health initiatives.

Tucker leads an eight-county health comparison

Tucker's 75.1-year life expectancy tops this eight-county set, outpacing its nearest competitor, Tyler County (74.8 years), by several months. The county's low poor/fair health rate of 20.4% reflects both better healthcare access and healthier lifestyle factors.

Adequate primary care despite high uninsured rate

Tucker has 60 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 136 mental health providers per 100K—solid capacity despite a 9.3% uninsured rate, the highest in this county set. The mismatch suggests that uninsurance may reflect employment transitions or coverage gaps rather than systemic provider shortages.

Close the coverage gap for all Tucker residents

With the highest uninsured rate in this county set at 9.3%, Tucker has an opportunity to protect more residents. Visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid and marketplace plans—ensuring everyone benefits from the county's strong healthcare infrastructure.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Tucker County

via RiskByCounty

Tucker ranks among America's safest counties

Tucker County's composite risk score of 12.56 places it in the very low national risk category, representing exceptional protection from natural disasters. The county's minimal wildfire risk of 10.05 and negligible tornado exposure at 8.56 make it one of the nation's most protected regions.

Second-safest county in West Virginia

Tucker County ranks as West Virginia's second-safest county with a composite score of 12.56, representing just 25% of the state average of 49.21. Only Ritchie County offers comparable protection from natural disaster exposure across the state.

Far safer than all surrounding counties

Tucker County's 12.56 score is dramatically lower than all neighboring areas, including nearby Randolph County (57.06) and Taylor County (23.51). The county's mountainous terrain and forest cover paradoxically create some of America's lowest wildfire exposure rates.

Flooding is Tucker's only meaningful risk

Tucker County's hazard profile is dominated by flooding at 39.63, which remains below national averages for concern. All other natural disaster risks—wildfire at 10.05, tornado at 8.56, and earthquake at 16.09—are exceptionally minimal.

Minimal insurance needs for Tucker residents

Tucker County residents benefit from among the lowest natural disaster insurance costs in the nation given the county's exceptional safety profile. Basic homeowner insurance suffices for most properties, with flood coverage only necessary for properties in specific river valleys.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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