CountyScore

Wetzel County

West Virginia · WV

#34 in West Virginia
71.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Wetzel County, West Virginia

Wetzel surpasses national livability median

Wetzel County's composite score of 71.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 43%, placing it among stronger-performing rural American counties. The score reflects a balanced mix of affordability and quality-of-life factors.

Slightly below West Virginia's middle

At 71.4, Wetzel falls just below the state average of 72.2, positioning it in the lower-middle tier among West Virginia counties. The narrow gap suggests Wetzel performs on state norms but lacks distinctive advantages.

Housing and health standouts

Wetzel scores 88.6 on cost (median home value: $102,800; rent: $703/month) and 62.9 on health, reflecting good access to medical care and health outcomes. Tax burden is also reasonable at 0.646% effective rate (score: 84.1).

Low incomes and moderate risk exposure

The income score of 18.2 with a median household income of $53,341 shows limited earning potential compared to state peers. The risk score of 43.1 indicates moderate but not severe vulnerability to natural hazards or economic shocks.

A solid middle-ground choice

Wetzel suits families seeking affordable living with reasonable health services and manageable risk, who accept modest incomes as a trade-off. It's an understated option for those avoiding extremes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.1Cost88.6SafetyComing SoonHealth62.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.2Risk43.1WaterComing Soon
🏛84.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡43.1
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 Wetzel County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tallapoosa County
Alabama
71.4
Median income: $57,185
Van Buren County
Arkansas
71.4
Median income: $47,266
Audubon County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $54,152
Butler County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $69,651
Jones County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $73,071

Deep Dives

Wetzel County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wetzel County

via TaxByCounty

Wetzel's rate beats the national norm

Wetzel County's effective tax rate of 0.646% remains well below the national median effective rate, keeping costs manageable for residents. The median property tax of $664 is just one-quarter of the national median of $2,690, despite smaller home values averaging $102,800.

Above-average taxes for West Virginia

Wetzel County's 0.646% effective rate ranks among the highest in West Virginia, exceeding the state average of 0.497% by 30%. The median tax of $664 sits nearly at the state median of $699, reflecting Wetzel's position as a higher-tax county in the state.

Highest rates in the immediate region

Wetzel's 0.646% rate is substantially higher than Webster (0.389%), Upshur (0.436%), and Wayne (0.472%), though slightly above Wirt (0.534%) and Wood (0.614%). The $664 median tax is surpassed only by Wood County ($943) among area neighbors.

A $103k home costs $664 annually

On Wetzel's median home value of $102,800, residents pay approximately $664 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages typically pay $772, while mortgage-free owners average $585.

High rates make appeals especially valuable

With Wetzel's elevated tax rate, an assessment challenge could deliver meaningful savings without any filing cost. If your home's market value has declined or assessment seems inflated, appealing is a low-risk way to reduce your annual burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wetzel County

via CostByCounty

Wetzel achieves near-perfect rent balance

Wetzel County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio edges below West Virginia's 16.9% state average and remains healthier than five of the seven counties analyzed. A $53,341 median income combined with $703 monthly rent creates one of the region's most balanced affordability equations.

Wetzel ranks among state's most livable

With a 15.8% rent-to-income ratio, Wetzel County outperforms the West Virginia average, ranking as one of the state's more affordable rental markets. The county's median rent of $703 sits just below the state average despite earning slightly below state median income.

Wetzel balances cost and income smartly

Wetzel's $703 rent and 15.8% rent-to-income ratio position it as the sweet spot between expensive Wayne ($883) and bargain-basement Wirt ($575). The county delivers better income-to-rent alignment than Webster, Upshur, or Wayne despite modest wages.

Renters and owners share balanced burden

Wetzel renters dedicate 15.8% of income to rent, while homeowners pay 10.8% toward a median owner cost of $479. Both segments enjoy healthier affordability ratios than most neighbors, with a median home value of $102,800 offering modest-income families a realistic path to ownership.

Wetzel delivers West Virginia's best balance

For relocators seeking genuine affordability without sacrifice, Wetzel County combines reasonable rents, livable owner costs, and acceptable income-to-housing ratios better than most regional peers. Compare Wetzel's balanced profile against Wirt's exceptional rents and Wayne's bargain home prices to find your fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wetzel County

via IncomeByCounty

Wetzel closes the national income gap

Wetzel County's median household income of $53,341 trails the national median of $74,755 by $21,414—about 29% below the U.S. average. However, Wetzel exceeds West Virginia's state average of $54,746 by a small margin, making it a solid performer within its regional context.

Mid-to-upper ranking West Virginia county

Wetzel ranks in the upper middle of West Virginia's 55 counties, boosted by its per capita income of $28,398—close to the state average of $30,335. The county's relative stability suggests a reasonably balanced labor market with mixed employment across agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

Solid performer in northern cluster

Wetzel's $53,341 median ranks fourth among the seven-county group, outpacing Webster ($42,061) and Wyoming ($48,038) while falling short of Wood ($56,193) and Wayne ($55,539). The county's lower per capita income of $28,398 suggests more part-time work or smaller household earner pools than top performers, but overall economic health remains intact.

Lowest housing burden in the group

Wetzel's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% is the best among all seven counties examined, indicating housing costs consume the smallest percentage of household income. A median home value of $102,800 pairs with regional incomes to create genuine affordability and financial breathing room for residents.

Strong foundation for savings growth

Wetzel households earning $53,341 enjoy the lowest housing burden in the region, freeing up real money for retirement accounts, emergency funds, and investments. This structural advantage—low housing costs relative to income—positions Wetzel residents to accumulate wealth faster than peers in more expensive counties.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wetzel County

via HealthByCounty

Wetzel lags U.S. life expectancy

Wetzel County's life expectancy of 70.2 years falls 6.2 years short of the U.S. average, placing it among America's struggling health regions. Yet its 23.8% poor/fair health rate is notably lower than many peers, suggesting pockets of healthier residents alongside acute challenges. This pattern indicates concentrated health crises—likely linked to opioid addiction and economic distress—affecting specific subpopulations.

Significantly below West Virginia norm

At 70.2 years, Wetzel ranks among the state's worst-performing counties, nearly 2 years below West Virginia's 72.2-year average. However, its 23.8% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in this county group, suggesting better baseline health status offset by premature mortality. This paradox points to accidental death, addiction, and suicide as major life-expectancy drivers.

Shorter lives despite lower disease rates

Wetzel's 70.2-year life expectancy is among the region's worst, trailing Upshur (74.7) and Wood (73.4) by 3-4 years, yet its 23.8% poor/fair health rate is the best in the peer group. With 42 primary care providers per 100,000, Wetzel has moderate physician access but limited mental health capacity (137 per 100K). The data suggests that early-death drivers—overdose, suicide, accidents—outweigh chronic disease in mortality.

Lowest uninsured rate, crisis beneath

Wetzel's 6.3% uninsured rate is the lowest among these counties, meaning about 1,200 residents lack coverage—good news for access but doesn't explain low life expectancy. With strong mental health provider availability (137 per 100K), behavioral health infrastructure exists; the crisis may be opioid addiction, suicide, or accidental injury driving premature death. Daily reality: insured residents can reach care, but social and behavioral health emergencies persist.

Coverage plus crisis support needed

Nearly 1,200 Wetzel residents are uninsured; get coverage at healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596. Beyond insurance, contact the WV Opioid Crisis Task Force, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), or local crisis hotlines—these services save lives alongside insurance. Coverage ensures preventive care, but mental health and addiction support are equally urgent in Wetzel.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wetzel County

via RiskByCounty

Wetzel faces moderately elevated disaster risk

Wetzel County's composite risk score of 56.90 exceeds West Virginia's state average of 49.21 by 16%, signaling above-average natural hazard exposure. This relatively low rating masks significant flood vulnerability that requires specific attention even as overall risk remains manageable.

Mid-range risk among West Virginia counties

Wetzel ranks in the middle band of West Virginia's 55 counties for natural disaster risk, neither among the safest nor the most vulnerable. The county's profile reflects typical Appalachian exposure without the extreme hazard concentrations found in neighboring counties like Wood and Wayne.

Moderate risk between safer and riskier neighbors

Wetzel's 56.90 score falls between lower-risk Upshur County (44.85) and higher-risk Wyoming County (67.37), offering a middle ground in the regional risk landscape. The county's flood exposure of 78.28 closely mirrors neighbors facing similar water management challenges along shared river systems.

Flooding dominates Wetzel's hazard profile

Flood risk of 78.28 towers over all other hazards in Wetzel, nearly 7.5 times higher than tornado risk (15.94) and vastly exceeding wildfire threat (10.62). Residents should treat riverine and stormwater flooding as the primary concern, with secondary attention to hurricane-driven precipitation.

Flood insurance is essential protection

With flood risk at 78.28, federal or private flood insurance should be a priority for all Wetzel property owners, especially those within 500 feet of creeks and rivers. Pair this coverage with standard homeowners insurance and consider modest home elevation or waterproofing measures to minimize flood exposure.

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.