CountyScore

Wirt County

West Virginia · WV

#6 in West Virginia
76.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Wirt County, West Virginia

Wirt ranks among America's best

Wirt County's composite score of 76.3 is 53% higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. counties for livability. This exceptional performance reflects exceptional affordability and notably low risk.

West Virginia's second-best county

At 76.3, Wirt ranks second in the state, exceeding the average of 72.2 by 4.1 points. Only Webster edges ahead, making Wirt a top choice for West Virginia residents prioritizing livability.

Outstanding risk and housing value

Wirt's standout metric is a risk score of 91.0—by far the highest among these counties, indicating excellent resilience to natural hazards and economic vulnerability. The cost score of 90.7 with median home value of $112,800 and rent of $575/month delivers unmatched housing affordability.

Income growth lags peers slightly

The income score of 19.1 reflects a median household income of $54,688, solid but not exceptional. Health score of 60.1 suggests room for improvement in medical access or wellness outcomes.

The county for the risk-averse

Wirt County is perfect for retirees, remote workers, and families who prioritize safety and security alongside low costs. Its combination of exceptional affordability, stability, and disaster resilience makes it West Virginia's most attractive livability choice.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.3Cost90.7SafetyComing SoonHealth60.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.1Risk91WaterComing Soon
🏛87.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91
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 Wirt County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Grant County
Arkansas
76.3
Median income: $72,512
Huerfano County
Colorado
76.3
Median income: $52,139
Saguache County
Colorado
76.3
Median income: $54,283
Ohio County
Indiana
76.3
Median income: $67,942
Jackson County
Minnesota
76.3
Median income: $69,955

Deep Dives

Wirt County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Health in Wirt County

via HealthByCounty

Wirt above state but below nation

At 72.4 years, Wirt County's life expectancy falls 4 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years, reflecting persistent rural health challenges. However, 28.2% of residents report poor or fair health—the highest rate in this peer group—signaling widespread chronic disease and functional limitation. This concentration of illness among a relatively small population (5,700 residents) amplifies strain on local healthcare.

Slightly above West Virginia average

Wirt's 72.4 years edge past West Virginia's 72.2-year state average by just 0.2 years—a marginal advantage that masks serious underlying challenges. Its 28.2% poor/fair health rate is the worst in this county group, indicating elevated rates of diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and mental health struggles. Despite slight longevity parity with the state, Wirt residents experience higher functional decline and disability.

Worst health burden in region

Wirt's 72.4-year life expectancy is middle-of-the-pack regionally, but its 28.2% poor/fair health rate exceeds all peer counties, indicating concentrated illness. Provider access is minimal: only 20 primary care physicians per 100,000—tied with Webster as the scarcest—forcing residents to travel 45+ minutes for routine care. With 80 mental health providers per 100,000, behavioral health access slightly exceeds Webster but lags county needs.

Sparse providers, rising disability

Wirt's 7.2% uninsured rate is below state average, but the real barrier is provider scarcity: 20 primary care doctors per 100,000 means many residents delay care or forgo it entirely. The 28.2% poor/fair health rate reflects years of limited preventive access, resulting in advanced disease and functional decline. Daily healthcare reality: insured residents still struggle to find and reach specialists, and chronic illness management is fragmented.

Insurance plus provider recruitment

With 7.2% uninsured, about 400 Wirt residents lack coverage; check healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 for affordable plans. Getting covered is step one—but Wirt's 20 primary care providers per 100,000 means the county needs sustained recruitment of physicians and physician assistants. Contact the WV Department of Health and Human Resources to advocate for rural provider incentives and loan-forgiveness programs that attract healthcare workers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

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

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.