countyscore
68.2
County Score
Cost of Living 96Disaster Risk 91Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Wirt County, West Virginia

Elite National Standing

Wirt County reaches a high composite score of 68.2, well above the national median of 50.0. This places it in a competitive tier for nationwide livability.

Leading West Virginia Counties

Exceeding the state average of 62.0, Wirt County stands out as a top-tier destination within West Virginia. Its high rankings across multiple categories bolster its regional reputation.

Unmatched Safety and Resiliency

Wirt County excels with a Cost Score of 96.0 and a Risk Score of 91.0, indicating high affordability and low natural disaster risk. Safety and Water scores are both strong at 78.1 and 86.0 respectively.

Limited Income and Health Access

Economic scores are a weak point, with an Income Score of 24.5 and a Health Score of 32.7. These metrics suggest residents may need to travel for specialized care or high-wage employment.

Perfect for Secure, Low-Cost Living

Wirt County is ideal for those seeking a safe, low-risk environment with rock-bottom housing costs. It appeals most to retirees or those looking for peace and quiet in a resilient community.

2040608010082.59678.132.746.424.5918656Tax82.5Cost96Safety78.1Health32.7Schools46.4Income24.5Risk91Water86Weather5668.2/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Wirt County DNA

C-overall

How Wirt County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Wirt County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (96/100) but notably weak in Income (24.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
82.5+30.5
Cost
96+48
Safety
78.1+23.099999999999994
Health
32.7-17.299999999999997
Schools
46.4
Income
24.5-26.5
Risk
91+44
Water
86+28
Weather
56
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$112,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$575/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$112,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$23,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $54,688/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

39.0

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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Franklin County
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Wells County
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Perry County
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Median income: $50,489
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Piute County
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Green County
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Median income: $41,087
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McPherson County
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Median income: $61,316
68.3

Nearby counties

Roane County
West Virginia
67.5
Calhoun County
West Virginia
67.9
Wood County
West Virginia
46.5
Jackson County
West Virginia
61.8
Ritchie County
West Virginia
59.8
Pleasants County
West Virginia
76
Gilmer County
West Virginia
73.7
Washington County
Ohio
49.9

Deep Dives

Wirt County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Wirt County

via TaxByCounty

Wirt taxes remain below national average

Wirt County's effective tax rate of 0.534% is approximately one-third the typical American property tax burden. The median annual tax of $602 represents just 22% of the national median of $2,690, providing substantial savings compared to most U.S. counties.

Moderately above West Virginia average

Wirt County's 0.534% rate exceeds West Virginia's state average of 0.497% by about 7%, placing it in the upper-middle range statewide. The median property tax of $602 falls slightly below the state median of $699, reflecting Wirt's smaller home values.

Mid-range among area counties

Wirt's 0.534% rate sits between the lower-tax counties (Webster at 0.389%, Upshur at 0.436%, Wayne at 0.472%) and the higher-tax counties (Wetzel at 0.646%, Wood at 0.614%). The $602 median tax is moderate, lower than Wood and Wetzel but higher than the most affordable neighbors.

A $113k home costs $602 yearly

Wirt County's median home value of $112,800 translates to roughly $602 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay approximately $759, while those without mortgages average $484.

Assessment review could cut your bill

Wirt County homeowners should verify their property assessments match current market values, especially given the county's moderate-to-high tax rate. A free appeal filing can reduce your tax burden if your home is overvalued compared to recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wirt County

via CostByCounty

Wirt County leads regional affordability race

Wirt's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest of the seven counties and well below West Virginia's 16.9% state average. A $54,688 median income paired with just $575 monthly rent creates the region's most forgiving housing budget.

Wirt stands out as state's bargain rental market

Wirt County's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among West Virginia's best, with the state's lowest median rent of just $575 at $760 statewide. The county delivers exceptional rental affordability despite earning slightly below state average income.

Wirt's rents undercut all regional competitors

Wirt's $575 median rent is $128 cheaper than nearest competitor Wetzel ($703) and $308 below highest-cost Wayne ($883), making it the unquestioned bargain leader. Only Wirt achieves a sub-13% rent-to-income ratio in this seven-county cluster.

Rents vanish from household budgets here

At just 12.6% of income, Wirt renters spend the least on housing in this comparison, leaving more for other needs and savings. Homeowners pay an even tighter 10.8% of income toward owner costs at a median home value of $112,800, making Wirt exceptional on both rental and ownership fronts.

Wirt County is West Virginia's affordability champion

If housing costs drive your relocation decision, Wirt County offers unmatched rental bargains and reasonable ownership prices across West Virginia. Renters seeking to maximize remaining income should prioritize Wirt, while buyers comparing the full seven-county range will find competitive homebuying here too.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wirt County

via IncomeByCounty

Wirt keeps pace with state average

Wirt County's median household income of $54,688 falls $20,067 short of the national median of $74,755—a 27% gap typical of rural West Virginia. The figure sits just below the state average of $54,746, confirming Wirt's status as an average West Virginia county in income terms.

Wirt ranks near state median

Wirt County places squarely in the middle of West Virginia's 55 counties for household income, with a per capita income of $26,792 that falls slightly below the state average of $30,335. The lower per capita figure may reflect an older population or fewer household members earning wages—a demographic trend affecting many rural counties.

Mid-pack earnings in regional group

Wirt's $54,688 median ranks third in this seven-county cluster, ahead of Upshur ($51,859) and well ahead of Webster ($42,061) and Wyoming ($48,038). At $26,792, Wirt's per capita income lags its median-income peers, suggesting income is concentrated in fewer working-age individuals per household.

Exceptionally low housing burden

Wirt's rent-to-income ratio of 12.6% is the lowest among all seven counties—less than half the national concern threshold—freeing up substantial household resources. A median home value of $112,800 combined with regional incomes creates one of the best housing affordability profiles in the study group.

Unique advantage: minimal housing cost

Wirt households earning $54,688 benefit from housing costs that consume just 12.6% of income, creating outsized opportunity to save and invest. This exceptional advantage—the lowest housing burden in the regional cluster—allows Wirt families to direct extra resources toward retirement, education, and long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Wirt County

via CrimeByCounty

Wirt County is Among the Nation's Safest

Wirt County boasts an exceptional safety score of 99.2, with a total crime rate of just 519.0 per 100,000. This is remarkably lower than the national average of 2,385.5. It represents one of the lowest crime environments found anywhere in the United States.

A Top Performer in West Virginia

Wirt County is a safety leader in West Virginia, with a crime rate of 519.0 compared to the state average of 949.0. Its safety score of 99.2 is significantly higher than the state average of 98.5. Only three reporting agencies handle the county's low volume of incidents.

A Stark Contrast to Neighboring Wood County

Wirt County is significantly safer than neighboring Wood County, which has a much higher crime rate of 2,211.9. While Wood County struggles with higher property crime, Wirt remains a quiet, low-crime alternative. This disparity makes Wirt County a regional sanctuary for safety.

Low Crime Across All Categories

Wirt County reports a violent crime rate of 115.3 and a property crime rate of 403.7 per 100,000. Both metrics are far below national and state averages, reinforcing the county's secure reputation. For every 100,000 residents, there are very few victims of either crime type.

Preserving Wirt County's Peace

While crime is very low in Wirt, residents should not be complacent about home security. Basic habits like locking doors and keeping valuables out of sight help maintain these low numbers. Your participation in community safety helps keep Wirt County at the top of the rankings.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Wirt County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Focused Three-School Campus System

Wirt County features a streamlined educational landscape with exactly one elementary, one middle, and one high school. This centralized system serves 927 students within the Wirt County Schools district.

Steady Growth and Consistent Results

The county maintains an 87.0% graduation rate, matching the national average. Investment sits at $7,807 per pupil, which is slightly above the state average of $7,773, supporting a school score of 53.7.

Unified District, Single Focus

Wirt County Schools is the only district in the county, managing all 927 students in its three specialized buildings. As a traditional public district with no charter schools, it remains the heart of the local community.

Small-Scale Rural Education

All three schools in the county are situated in rural locales, creating a consistent environment as students progress through the grades. Enrollment is evenly spread, with the Wirt County Primary Center being the largest at 338 students.

Quiet Living with Reliable Schools

Wirt County is perfect for those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle where the entire school system is conveniently located in one area. Families can find affordable homes that provide a stable, one-district educational path for their children.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wirt County

via RiskByCounty

Wirt County ranks among America's safest

Wirt County's composite risk score of just 9.03 ranks as West Virginia's lowest and sits dramatically below the national average. This very low risk profile means Wirt residents face substantially fewer natural disaster threats than almost any other U.S. county.

West Virginia's lowest-risk county

Wirt County sits at the absolute bottom of West Virginia's 55-county risk ranking with a composite score of 9.03. The county's exceptional safety reflects geographic isolation from major hazard zones and minimal exposure across virtually all disaster categories.

Dramatically safer than all surrounding counties

Wirt's 9.03 score towers above nearby Upshur County (44.85), Wetzel County (56.90), and Wood County (79.83), creating a pronounced safety island in the region. The county's isolation from major flood corridors and hazard zones gives it an unmistakable advantage over Appalachian neighbors.

No significant natural disaster threats

Wirt County faces minimal exposure across all major hazard categories: flood risk (35.50), wildfire risk (0.51), and tornado risk (7.22) all rank among West Virginia's lowest. The county's remarkably low composite score reflects genuinely safe conditions rather than incomplete data.

Standard coverage meets your needs

Wirt County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance as a prudent baseline, though specialized disaster coverage carries minimal necessity. Focus protection investments on routine maintenance and standard hazard insurance rather than specialized flood or wildfire policies needed in higher-risk areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Wirt County

via WaterByCounty

Wirt County maintains an unblemished compliance record

Wirt County receives a Water Quality Grade of A, reporting zero health violations over the past five years. Its violation rate of 0.0 per 100K is significantly better than the West Virginia average of 173.7. This indicates that local drinking water utilities are successfully meeting all federal safety requirements.

Assessed watersheds show no impairment in 2022

In the 2022 reporting cycle, all five of the county's assessed water bodies were found to be unimpaired. This 0.0% impairment rate suggests that the local surface waters are healthy and meeting Clean Water Act standards. However, only a small portion of the county's total stream miles have been fully assessed.

Routine monitoring tracks nutrient and metal levels

Seven monitoring sites have captured 1,069 measurements over the last five years. Data collection focuses on inorganics, nutrients, and physical properties to ensure environmental stability. This baseline monitoring is essential for identifying potential shifts in watershed health.

Little Kanawha River hits critically low levels

The Little Kanawha River at Palestine is currently discharging 226 cfs, which is just 10% of its long-term mean. This reflects extreme low-flow conditions for one of the county's most significant waterways. Such low volumes can significantly impact agricultural use and local aquatic habitats.

Conserve water during extreme low-flow periods

While your drinking water is highly rated and safe, the critical low flow in the Little Kanawha River suggests a need for conservation. Low river levels can put stress on intake systems even when treatment is effective. Stay informed on local water levels to help protect your community's vital water resources.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Wirt County

via WeatherByCounty

A Typical Appalachian Basin Climate

Wirt County’s 52.8°F annual average aligns perfectly with the West Virginia state average. It sits just below the national median for temperate counties.

The State's Temperature Baseline

Wirt County exactly matches the West Virginia state average of 52.8°F. It serves as a representative sample of the state's overall climate.

Notable Summer Heat Spikes

Wirt experiences 23 days of extreme heat, significantly higher than many neighboring northern counties. While precipitation data is limited, these heat spikes define the local climate.

Hottest Summers in the Region

With 23 days reaching 90°F or higher, Wirt has some of the region's warmest summers. Winters remain chilly, with a January average of 30.6°F.

Prepare for Summer Extremes

The 23 extreme heat days require robust air conditioning and outdoor heat safety plans. Residents should also prepare for winter lows that average 33.0°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Wirt County

via SoilByCounty

Exploring Wirt County's Soil Profile

Detailed taxonomic and pH data are currently limited for Wirt County in the national record. Local growers should anticipate the acidic soil conditions that are typical throughout the West Virginia hills.

Varied Textures in the River Valley

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not presently available for this county. Gardeners often encounter the loamy mixtures characteristic of the surrounding Ohio River valley regions.

Building Fertility in Private Plots

Organic matter and water capacity figures are undefined in the current dataset, making home soil tests a valuable tool. Following the state average of 21.03% organic matter is a good target for local soil improvement projects.

Observing Local Drainage Patterns

Official drainage and hydrologic classifications are not listed for this area. Residents should monitor how their land handles heavy rainfall to determine the best locations for gardens and structures.

Gardening Opportunity in Zone 6b

Wirt County sits in hardiness zone 6b, offering a climate that supports a wide range of perennials and summer vegetables. Starting a garden here is a great way to explore the local land and build soil health over time.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Wirt County

via LawnByCounty

Wirt's High Performance Lawn Score

Wirt County boasts an impressive lawn difficulty score of 82.5, significantly higher than both the state and national averages. This Zone 6b county provides some of the best natural conditions for lawn care in West Virginia. Homeowners here can achieve a lush lawn with much less effort than in neighboring counties.

Warm Summers and Steady Growth

With 23 days of extreme heat, Wirt County is warmer than the state average of 17 days. However, the 3301 growing degree days ensure a robust season for all types of vegetation. While specific annual precipitation data is unavailable, the high lawn score suggests that moisture is rarely a limiting factor.

General Soil Success in Wirt

While specific local soil metrics are limited, most of this region trends toward the acidic side typical of West Virginia. The high ease-of-growth score suggests that the soil structure likely offers a favorable balance for turf. A simple home pH test can confirm if you need the standard lime treatment used across the state.

Exceptional Drought Resistance

Wirt County only saw 2 weeks of drought over the past year, indicating high environmental stability. There are currently no drought conditions reported, keeping soil moisture levels healthy for the spring. This reliability is a major factor in the county's high overall lawn score of 82.5.

April to October Growing Window

Plan your primary lawn work between the last frost on April 29 and the first frost on October 19. The July average of 73.6°F is warm but manageable for most cool-season grass varieties. Turf-type tall fescue is a particularly strong choice for handling the 23 annual days of 90-degree heat.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wirt County's county score?
Wirt County, West Virginia has a composite county score of 68.2 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 Wirt County rank among counties in West Virginia?
Wirt County ranks #13 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 Wirt County, West Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Wirt County is $602, with an effective tax rate of 0.53%. This earns Wirt County a tax score of 82.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Wirt County?
The median household income in Wirt County, West Virginia is $54,688 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Wirt County earns an income score of 24.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Wirt County, West Virginia a good place to live?
Wirt County scores 68.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #13 in West Virginia. The best way to evaluate Wirt 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 Wirt County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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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.