CountyScore

Wyoming County

West Virginia · WV

#43 in West Virginia
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Wyoming County, West Virginia

Wyoming exceeds national averages

Wyoming County's composite score of 69.3 is 39% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating solid livability compared to most U.S. counties. The score reflects a county that punches above its regional weight on affordability metrics.

Below West Virginia's state average

At 69.3, Wyoming trails the state average of 72.2, placing it in the lower-middle tier of West Virginia counties. The gap is narrow and driven primarily by one dominant weakness.

Low taxes and strong affordability

Wyoming scores 89.9 on taxes (effective rate: 0.439%) and 88.8 on cost, with median home values of $78,400 and rent at $737/month. These metrics deliver exceptional budget relief for cost-conscious households.

Health and income need investment

The health score of 53.0 is the lowest among these seven counties, suggesting limited medical access or poorer wellness outcomes. Income score of 14.8 with median household income of $48,038 also ranks among the weakest.

For the extremely budget-conscious

Wyoming suits retirees and low-income families who can accept limited health services and minimal earning potential in exchange for rock-bottom housing costs. Residents should prioritize proximity to regional medical centers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.9Cost88.8SafetyComing SoonHealth53SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.8Risk32.6WaterComing Soon
🏛89.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡32.6
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 Wyoming County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
Alaska
69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
Arkansas
69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Wyoming County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wyoming County

via TaxByCounty

Wyoming stays well below national taxes

Wyoming County's effective tax rate of 0.439% is less than one-sixth of the typical American property tax burden. The median annual tax of just $344 represents 13% of the national median of $2,690, delivering significant relief to property owners.

Among West Virginia's lowest-tax counties

Wyoming County's 0.439% effective rate sits comfortably below West Virginia's state average of 0.497%, placing it firmly in the state's tax-friendly tier. The median property tax of $344 is among the lowest statewide, nearly 50% below the state median of $699.

Comparable to the most affordable peers

Wyoming's 0.439% rate is competitive with the region's cheapest counties—Webster (0.389%), Upshur (0.436%), and Wayne (0.472%)—while undercutting Wirt (0.534%), Wetzel (0.646%), and Wood (0.614%). The $344 median tax is second-lowest among area counties, behind only Webster's $303.

A $78k home costs just $344 yearly

Wyoming County's median home value of $78,400 translates to approximately $344 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay about $389, while mortgage-free owners average $328.

Still worth verifying your assessment

Even at Wyoming's favorable tax rates, homeowners should confirm their properties aren't overassessed on the tax rolls. A free appeal can validate your assessment accuracy and potentially unlock additional savings if your home value has shifted.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wyoming County

via CostByCounty

Wyoming struggles with affordability gap

Wyoming's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeds West Virginia's 16.9% state average, reflecting the county's $48,038 median household income—nearly $8,000 below state norms. Against the national median of $74,755, Wyoming renters face a compounded affordability challenge despite modest $737 rents.

Wyoming ranks among state's tightest margins

Wyoming County's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio sits well above West Virginia's 16.9% average, placing it among the state's most affordability-challenged markets. The county's median income of $48,038 ranks second-lowest in this seven-county cluster, compressing housing budgets significantly.

Wyoming trapped between bargain and expensive

Wyoming's $737 rent falls between Wirt's bargain $575 and Upshur's $799, yet the county's low income of $48,038 makes this mid-range cost feel steeper. Only Webster County ($42,061) earns less, making these two the seven-county cluster's most income-challenged.

Renters squeezed; owners escape the pinch

Wyoming renters dedicate 18.4% of income to gross rent, while homeowners pay just 10.6% toward a median owner cost of $426. The $311 monthly gap between rent and owner costs reflects Wyoming's more affordable homeownership relative to renting, yet suggests ownership still requires careful financial planning.

Wyoming appeals to homebuyers with tight budgets

Wyoming County's low median home value of $78,400 and owner costs make homeownership achievable for modest-income families, but renters should budget carefully. Relocators with children and plans to buy should explore Wyoming; those renting long-term might find better comfort in Wirt, Wetzel, or Upshur.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wyoming County

via IncomeByCounty

Wyoming faces significant income gap

Wyoming County's median household income of $48,038 falls $26,717 below the national median of $74,755—a concerning 36% shortfall. The figure also trails West Virginia's state average of $54,746 by $6,708, placing Wyoming among the state's lower-income counties.

Wyoming ranks among lower earners

Wyoming places in the bottom third of West Virginia's 55 counties for household income, with a per capita income of $24,665 that significantly underperforms the state average of $30,335. The county's economic structure remains tied to coal and extraction industries, limiting wage growth and income diversification.

Second lowest in regional group

Wyoming's $48,038 median ranks second-to-last among the seven counties, ahead only of Webster County ($42,061) but trailing all others by meaningful margins. Wyoming's per capita income of $24,665 is second-lowest in the cluster, indicating limited per-worker earning power and fewer high-wage jobs relative to population.

Housing affordable but tight overall

Wyoming's rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% is affordable on paper, and the median home value of $78,400 is among the region's lowest—reflecting depressed demand rather than true value. Lower housing costs provide some relief, but stagnant wages and limited job growth constrain overall household financial stability.

Invest in skills and resilience

Wyoming households earning $48,038 must prioritize skill development and education to unlock better-paying opportunities in emerging industries. Even modest investments in workforce training, certifications, or entrepreneurship can meaningfully increase earning power and build financial security amid structural economic change.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wyoming County

via HealthByCounty

Wyoming faces health crisis

Wyoming County's life expectancy of 68.7 years is among the nation's lowest, trailing the U.S. average by 7.7 years and indicating a major public health emergency. A striking 30.5% of residents report poor or fair health—the highest in this entire peer group—reflecting epidemic levels of chronic disease, disability, and premature aging. With 23,000 residents facing this health burden, Wyoming represents one of West Virginia's most vulnerable communities.

West Virginia's worst health county

Wyoming's 68.7-year life expectancy is the lowest in West Virginia, nearly 3.5 years below the state average of 72.2, and its 30.5% poor/fair health rate is the worst statewide. These figures reflect generations of coal-industry decline, persistent poverty (23% below federal poverty line), and opioid crisis devastation. Wyoming exemplifies the acute health disparities facing Southern West Virginia's coalfield counties.

Severe crisis at region's bottom

Wyoming's 68.7-year life expectancy is 6 years below Upshur (74.7) and among the nation's worst, while its 30.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds every peer county. With only 29 primary care providers per 100,000—the second-scarcest access in this group—and 59 mental health providers per 100,000, Wyoming has critical infrastructure gaps. The county faces a perfect storm: poverty, provider scarcity, and addiction converging to drive premature death.

Insurance and access collapse

Wyoming's 9.2% uninsured rate is the highest in this peer group, leaving approximately 2,100 residents without coverage and vulnerable to medical bankruptcy. With only 29 primary care providers per 100,000 and high rates of addiction and mental illness, Wyoming residents face both access and affordability barriers. Daily healthcare reality: uninsured families delay care until emergencies, chronic diseases go unmanaged, and preventive services are absent.

Coverage is urgent and life-saving

Nearly 2,100 Wyoming County residents lack health insurance—the highest uninsured count in this group; visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 immediately. Medicaid expansion covers most low-income adults in West Virginia, and ACA subsidies make plans affordable; getting covered can mean the difference between managed chronic disease and medical catastrophe. Additionally, contact local crisis hotlines (988 for suicide/mental health) and opioid treatment programs—Wyoming's addiction crisis demands urgent action.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wyoming County

via RiskByCounty

Wyoming County carries above-average risk

Wyoming County's composite risk score of 67.37 sits 37% above West Virginia's state average of 49.21 and well above the national average. This elevated risk profile reflects particularly acute exposure to wildfires and flooding that compound the county's disaster vulnerability.

Upper tier of risk among West Virginia counties

Wyoming County ranks among the top 15% most vulnerable counties in West Virginia's 55-county system, reflecting significant natural hazard exposure. Only counties like Wood and Wayne carry meaningfully higher composite risk scores in the state.

Riskier than most Appalachian neighbors

Wyoming's 67.37 score substantially exceeds Upshur County (44.85), Wetzel County (56.90), and dramatically outpaces Webster (35.27) and Wirt (9.03) counties. The gap primarily reflects Wyoming's outsized wildfire risk of 74.52—among West Virginia's highest—combined with severe flood exposure of 82.70.

Wildfire and flooding drive risk profile

Wyoming County faces extreme exposure to wildfire (74.52) and flood (82.70) risks, ranking among the state's highest for both hazards. Tornado risk adds a secondary concern at 9.16, though the dual wildfire-flood threat dominates the county's disaster preparedness agenda.

Prioritize wildfire and flood protection

Wyoming residents should immediately secure both flood insurance and comprehensive homeowners coverage that includes wildfire protection. Implement property hardening measures like fire-resistant roofing, clear vegetation buffers around structures, and ensure grading slopes away from foundations to minimize combined fire and water 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.