CountyScore

Upshur County

West Virginia · WV

#32 in West Virginia
72.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Upshur County, West Virginia

Upshur beats the national average

With a composite score of 72.2, Upshur County scores 44% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for livability. This strong performance reflects an affordable cost of living and favorable tax environment that benefit residents across income levels.

Right at West Virginia's middle

Upshur's 72.2 score matches the state average exactly, placing it squarely in the middle tier among West Virginia's counties. The county performs solidly on state benchmarks but lacks the standout advantages of top-ranked peers.

Tax relief and affordable housing

Upshur excels in affordability, posting a tax score of 90.0 with an effective tax rate of just 0.436% and a cost score of 83.4 backed by a median home value of $160,700. Median rent of $799/month keeps housing costs accessible for working families.

Income growth remains limited

The county's income score of 17.2 signals a persistent challenge: median household income of $51,859 lags significantly behind state and national opportunities. Health outcomes and natural hazard risk (scores of 63.3 and 55.2 respectively) also warrant attention and investment.

A safe budget choice for families

Upshur suits cost-conscious families and retirees who prioritize low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. The county offers stability and predictability for those looking to stretch a modest income in rural West Virginia.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90Cost83.4SafetyComing SoonHealth63.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.2Risk55.2WaterComing Soon
🏛90
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡55.2
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 Upshur County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chilton County
Alabama
72.2
Median income: $61,873
Baker County
Florida
72.2
Median income: $70,833
Dade County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $58,936
Oconee County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $115,925
Dearborn County
Indiana
72.2
Median income: $82,693

Deep Dives

Upshur County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Upshur County

via TaxByCounty

Upshur taxes rank low nationally

Upshur County's effective tax rate of 0.436% sits well below the national median, making it more affordable than most American counties. The median property tax here is $700 annually—less than one-quarter of the national median of $2,690—despite modest home values of $160,700.

Among West Virginia's most affordable

Upshur's 0.436% rate falls below West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, placing it in the lower half of the state's property tax burden. The median tax of $700 tracks closely with the state average of $699, reflecting Upshur's position as a relatively moderate-tax county.

Lower taxes than most nearby counties

Upshur County's rate edges out Webster County (0.389%) but undercuts Wetzel (0.646%), Wirt (0.534%), and Wood (0.614%) among neighboring areas. At $700 in median taxes, Upshur is more affordable than Wood ($943) and Wetzel ($664), though slightly higher than Webster ($303).

What a $160k home costs annually

On Upshur's median home value of $160,700, expect to pay roughly $700 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $755 annually, while those without mortgages average $600.

You might be overassessed

Many Upshur County homeowners are unaware their properties may be overvalued on the tax rolls. Appealing an assessment costs nothing and can unlock substantial tax savings—worth exploring if your home has declined in value or differs significantly from recent sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Upshur County

via CostByCounty

Upshur rents remain below national norms

At 18.5%, Upshur's rent-to-income ratio sits above the national sweet spot but reflects lower regional wages. The county's median household income of $51,859 trails the national median by $22,896, making housing costs feel steeper despite modest rents of $799 monthly.

Mid-tier affordability within West Virginia

Upshur ranks in the middle of West Virginia's affordability spectrum, with a rent-to-income ratio slightly above the state average of 16.9%. The $799 median rent exceeds the state average by $39, positioning the county as moderately priced for renters.

Competitive with nearby Northern Panhandle

Upshur's $799 rent aligns closely with Wood County's $789, making them comparable options for renters in the region. Both counties offer more affordable housing than Wayne County at $883, while remaining pricier than Wirt County's remarkably low $575.

Renters stretch, owners breathe easier

Renters in Upshur dedicate 18.5% of income to gross rent, while homeowners pay just 16.3% of monthly income toward ownership costs at a median home value of $160,700. The $97 monthly gap between rent ($799) and owner costs ($702) reflects the county's relatively affordable homeownership opportunities.

Upshur offers solid balance for relocators

If you're considering a move to West Virginia, Upshur presents a middle-ground option with moderate rents and reasonable homebuying prices near the state average. Compare these costs against Wood County's similar market or Wirt County's exceptional affordability before deciding where to plant roots.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Upshur County

via IncomeByCounty

Upshur's income gap from U.S. average

Upshur County's median household income of $51,859 falls $22,896 below the national median of $74,755—a shortfall of about 31%. While this represents a meaningful gap, Upshur households earn slightly above what West Virginia averages as a state ($54,746), positioning the county closer to the national mean than many rural peers.

Middle-tier earner in West Virginia

Upshur ranks squarely in the middle of West Virginia's 55 counties for household income, reflecting a stable but modest economic foundation. The county's per capita income of $30,616 exceeds the state average of $30,335, suggesting more even income distribution across residents than in some neighboring counties.

Outpaced by Wood County peers

Among regional neighbors, Upshur's $51,859 median trails Wood County ($56,193) by about $4,300 but exceeds Webster County ($42,061) by nearly $10,000. Upshur sits in the middle ground of northern West Virginia's economic spectrum, competitive with Wirt and Wetzel counties but lagging the stronger performance of larger industrial centers.

Housing costs remain manageable

Upshur's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters and mortgage holders aren't overextended. A median home value of $160,700 aligns reasonably with regional income levels, though long-term affordability depends on stable wage growth.

Building security on solid ground

Upshur households earning $51,859 have a real opportunity to strengthen financial stability through consistent saving and modest investment. Even small monthly contributions to retirement or education accounts compound over time, and the county's reasonable housing costs free up money for long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Upshur County

via HealthByCounty

Upshur outlives the nation

At 74.7 years, Upshur County residents live nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a meaningful advantage in a state where health outcomes lag nationally. Still, 26.5% report poor or fair health, close to national patterns of preventable disease and chronic conditions. This county's relative strength suggests better-than-average health management among its 23,000 residents.

West Virginia's healthier counties

Upshur ranks above the West Virginia state average of 72.2 years, placing it among the healthier counties statewide. The 2.5-year advantage over state baseline reflects better primary care access and lower rates of major risk factors. This performance matters: West Virginia overall faces significant public health challenges, making Upshur a relative bright spot.

Strong showing among peers

Upshur's 74.7 years outpace nearby Wood County (73.4) and Webster County (73.5), though it trails the national average. Its 26.5% poor/fair health rate mirrors the regional pattern, suggesting shared challenges in chronic disease management. With 59 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Upshur has solid physician access compared to rural neighbors like Wirt (20 per 100K).

Access and insurance gaps

Just 7.4% of Upshur residents lack health insurance, matching the state average and signaling broad coverage. Yet 111 mental health providers per 100,000 residents serve a population where behavioral health crises are growing. Daily healthcare reality: residents have reasonable access to primary care, but mental health capacity and specialty care remain stretched.

Check your coverage today

With 7.4% uninsured, most Upshur residents have health insurance—but nearly 1,800 adults still lack coverage. If you're uninsured or underinsured, visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, ACA plans, and local resources. Taking action now prevents costly emergency room visits and opens access to preventive care that extends healthy years.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Upshur County

via RiskByCounty

Upshur ranks below national risk average

With a composite risk score of 44.85, Upshur County sits comfortably below the national average and well below West Virginia's state average of 49.21. This relatively low profile means the county faces fewer compounded natural hazards than most U.S. counties, though localized flood risks still warrant attention.

Third-safest county in West Virginia

Upshur ranks third from the bottom among West Virginia's 55 counties for overall natural disaster risk. Only Webster and Wirt counties carry lower composite risk scores, positioning Upshur as one of the state's safer communities for natural hazards.

Safer than surrounding coal-region counties

Upshur's score of 44.85 outperforms neighboring Wetzel County (56.90) and Wyoming County (67.37), both of which face significantly higher wildfire and flood exposure. Compared to nearby Wood County's 79.83 risk score, Upshur residents experience markedly lower overall natural disaster vulnerability.

Flooding poses the clearest local threat

Flood risk dominates Upshur's hazard profile at 68.38—more than five times the county's wildfire risk of 10.72. Tornado and earthquake risks remain minimal at 12.79 and 33.37 respectively, leaving water management as the primary natural hazard concern for residents and planners.

Prioritize flood insurance for peace of mind

Despite low overall risk, Upshur's elevated flood score makes flood insurance a smart investment, especially for properties near streams and in valley communities. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage, so a separate federal or private flood policy can protect your home and finances when heavy rains occur.

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.