countyscore

Tucker County, West Virginia — County Report Card

WV

#7 in West Virginia

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
70.5
County Score
Property Tax 94.9Cost of Living 88.6Safety 87.6

County Report Card

About Tucker County, West Virginia

Exceptional Quality of Life Ranking

Tucker County’s composite score of 70.7 is among the highest in the region and far exceeds the 50.0 national median. This indicates an elite level of livability for a rural county.

Leading the State in Livability

With a score much higher than the 62.0 state average, Tucker is a standout performer in West Virginia. It provides a rare combination of security, low taxes, and environmental stability.

Elite Safety, Taxes, and Risk

The county excels with scores above 87 for safety, risk, and taxes. A low 0.353% tax rate and a $144,700 median home value make it a financial and environmental stronghold.

Infrastructure Gaps and Income Hurdles

Water quality is the most significant challenge with a score of 4.8. Economic growth also trails other metrics, reflected in an income score of 21.7 for the median $53,475 household earnings.

Ideal for Secure Rural Retreats

Tucker is perfect for those seeking ultimate peace of mind and maximum tax savings. It is a premier destination for retirees and remote workers who prioritize safety and low costs.

2040608010094.988.687.645.95218.287.54.861.1Tax94.9Cost88.6Safety87.6Health45.9Schools52Income18.2Risk87.5Water4.8Weather61.170.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Tucker County DNA

Coverall

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

Tucker County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (94.9/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (4.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
94.9+42.900000000000006
Cost
88.6+40.599999999999994
Safety
87.6+32.599999999999994
Health
45.9
Schools
52
Income
18.2-32.8
Risk
87.5+40.5
Water
4.8-53.2
Weather
61.1
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$154,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$656/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$154,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$26,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,358/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

29.9

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
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Counties with similar scores

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Martin County
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Keweenaw County
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Brooke County
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Daggett County
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Grant County
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Nearby counties

Grant County
West Virginia
70.7
Preston County
West Virginia
63.7
Barbour County
West Virginia
63.3
Garrett County
Maryland
61.8
Randolph County
West Virginia
62.6
Taylor County
West Virginia
63.9
Pendleton County
West Virginia
77.2
Upshur County
West Virginia
61.9

Deep Dives

Tucker County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Tucker County

via CrimeByCounty

Tucker County: A National Safety Leader

Tucker County is one of the safest areas in the nation, reporting a total crime rate of only 266.8 per 100,000. This incredibly low volume results in a near-perfect safety score of 99.6.

The Gold Standard for West Virginia

Tucker vastly outperforms the West Virginia average safety score and average crime rate of 949.0. It represents the gold standard for public safety within the state's borders.

Quiet and Secure Neighbor Comparisons

With a rate of 266.8, Tucker is much safer than nearby Randolph County (878.4) and Taylor County (367.4). It maintains some of the lowest crime figures in the Appalachians.

Minimal Criminal Activity Reported

Violent crime is almost non-existent at 14.8 per 100,000 residents, while property crime is also minimal at 252.0. The vast majority of the county experiences no major crime incidents in a given year.

Preserving Local Peace and Quiet

Maintaining Tucker County's safety depends on neighbors looking out for one another and reporting unusual activity. While risks are low, motion-activated lighting remains an easy and effective deterrent.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Tucker County

via WeatherByCounty

One of the Nation's Coolest Counties

At an average of 47.9°F, Tucker County is significantly cooler than the national median. This high-elevation climate creates conditions more similar to northern New England than the Mid-Atlantic.

Among West Virginia's Coldest Spots

Tucker sits nearly five degrees below the West Virginia state average of 52.8°F. It is consistently one of the coldest and snowiest jurisdictions in the state.

Extreme Snowfall Compared to Region

The county receives a massive 112.8 inches of snow annually, dwarfing neighboring Taylor's 25.5 inches. Its 57.8 inches of precipitation also far exceeds the state average.

Rare Heat and Brutal Winters

Tucker records only 1 day of extreme heat per year, with July temperatures averaging just 67.6°F. Winter is the dominant season, featuring a 28.8°F average from December through February.

Winter Gear is Mandatory

Heavy-duty snow removal equipment and professional-grade insulation are essential for 112.8 inches of annual snow. High energy bills often shift to winter heating rather than summer cooling.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Tucker County

via SoilByCounty

High-altitude acidic soil profile

Tucker County's soil follows the state trend of acidity, with a regional average pH of 5.25. This contrasts sharply with the national median of 6.5, influencing the types of forests and crops that thrive here. Specific local classification data is currently unavailable.

Mineral makeup of the mountains

Data regarding sand, silt, and clay percentages is not currently specified for this county. These ratios are essential for determining how soil holds water and handles mechanical work. Without specific data, local gardeners should perform a simple jar test to see their soil's texture.

Exceptional organic carbon levels

The state average for organic matter is 21.03%, which is remarkably higher than the national average of 2.0%. This high content contributes to a state-wide available water capacity of 0.142 in/in. Tucker County likely benefits from these fertile mountainside soil conditions.

Navigating hydrologic challenges

Specific drainage classes for Tucker County are not available in the current dataset. Because drainage affects everything from plant health to road stability, local knowledge is vital. Residents should check their property for signs of slow drainage or rapid runoff during rain.

Cold-hardy gardening in Zone 6a

Tucker County sits in Hardiness Zone 6a, reflecting its cooler mountain climate and shorter season. This zone is perfect for cold-tolerant crops like garlic, onions, and various brassicas. Embrace the mountain air and start a garden that works with these unique conditions.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Tucker County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Tucker's Challenging Climate

With a score of 45.3, Tucker County is the most challenging area in this group for lawn care. This Zone 6a region falls below the national difficulty median, requiring proactive maintenance to handle extreme moisture and temperature swings.

High Rainfall and Very Cool Summers

Tucker County receives a massive 57.8 inches of rain per year, which is well above the ideal range. This excess moisture, combined with only 2,307 growing degree days, means your grass grows slowly and is prone to waterlogging.

Managing Saturated Soil Conditions

Soil data is unavailable, but the heavy precipitation makes drainage the top priority for any local lawn. Consider aerating twice a year to prevent the soil from becoming compacted under the weight of nearly 58 inches of rain.

Surprising Vulnerability to Drought

Despite the high annual rain, the county spent 38 weeks in drought last year and currently has 56% of its area in abnormally dry conditions. This extreme variability means you must be ready to irrigate even in a high-rainfall county.

Choosing Hardy, Moisture-Tolerant Turf

Pick a moisture-tolerant variety of Tall Fescue to survive the wet springs and dry summers. You have a narrow window for seeding between the May 9th frost and the early October freeze.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tucker County's county score?
Tucker County, West Virginia has a composite county score of 70.5 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 Tucker County rank among counties in West Virginia?
Tucker County ranks #7 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 Tucker County, West Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Tucker County is $575, with an effective tax rate of 0.37%. This earns Tucker County a tax score of 94.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Tucker County?
The median household income in Tucker County, West Virginia is $53,358 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Tucker County earns an income score of 18.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Tucker County, West Virginia a good place to live?
Tucker County scores 70.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #7 in West Virginia. The best way to evaluate Tucker 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 Tucker 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.