Best counties to live in West Virginia

Written by:
April 8, 2024
Laura Beach // Shutterstock

Best counties to live in West Virginia

More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.

Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.

Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.

Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in West Virginia using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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#27. Wirt County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 5,202
- Median household income: $52,776
- Median home value: $109,200 (85% own)
- Median rent: $490 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Wirt County Middle School (grade B), Wirt County Primary Center (grade B minus), Wirt County High School (grade C)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Elizabeth (grade C)

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#26. Wayne County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 38,933
- Median household income: $52,694
- Median home value: $114,200 (77% own)
- Median rent: $865 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Buffalo Middle School (grade B+), Buffalo Elementary School (grade B), Dunlow Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Kenova (grade B), Lavalette (grade B), Ceredo (grade B minus)

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#25. Taylor County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 16,602
- Median household income: $52,946
- Median home value: $138,100 (80% own)
- Median rent: $702 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: West Taylor Elementary School (grade B+), Anna Jarvis Elementary School (grade C+), Taylor County Middle School (grade C)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Grafton (grade B), Flemington (grade C+)

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#24. Preston County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 34,206
- Median household income: $60,136
- Median home value: $147,400 (81% own)
- Median rent: $738 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Fellowsville Elementary School (grade B), Aurora Elementary School (grade C+), Bruceton School (grade C+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Kingwood (grade B), Brandonville (grade B minus), Rowlesburg (grade C)

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Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock

#23. Nicholas County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 24,624
- Median household income: $48,826
- Median home value: $110,600 (80% own)
- Median rent: $664 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Mt. Nebo Elementary School (grade B), Panther Creek Elementary School (grade B), Mt. Lookout Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: New Life Christian Academy (grade C+)
- Top places: Summersville (grade B), Craigsville (grade C), Richwood (grade C)

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Nicole Glass Photography // Shutterstock

#22. Hardy County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 14,249
- Median household income: $49,205
- Median home value: $153,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $832 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Moorefield Middle School (grade B), East Hardy High School (grade B minus), Moorefield High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Moorefield (grade B minus), Wardensville (grade C+)

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Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock

#21. Pendleton County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 6,156
- Median household income: $52,458
- Median home value: $169,200 (83% own)
- Median rent: $666 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Brandywine Elementary School (grade A minus), North Fork Elementary School (grade B minus), Franklin Elementary School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Franklin (grade A minus), Brandywine (grade C minus)

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#20. Greenbrier County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 32,995
- Median household income: $45,519
- Median home value: $130,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $790 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Lewisburg Elementary School (grade B), Rainelle Elementary School (grade B), Frankford Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Seneca Trail Christian Academy (grade B minus), Lewisburg Baptist Academy (grade C minus), The Greenbrier Community School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Lewisburg (grade A minus), White Sulphur Springs (grade B minus), Ronceverte (grade B minus)

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#19. Marshall County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 30,509
- Median household income: $58,129
- Median home value: $130,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $788 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Glen Dale Elementary School (grade B+), Washington Lands Elementary School (grade B), Center McMechen Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Our Lady of Peace School (grade unavailable), St. Francis Xavier School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Glen Dale (grade A minus), McMechen (grade B), Moundsville (grade B)

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Kenneth Keifer // Shutterstock

#18. Doddridge County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 7,847
- Median household income: $56,587
- Median home value: $147,300 (90% own)
- Median rent: $556 (10% rent)
- Top public schools: Doddridge County Middle School (grade B), Doddridge County Elementary School (grade B minus), Doddridge County High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: West Union (grade B)

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#17. Berkeley County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 123,283
- Median household income: $73,619
- Median home value: $231,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,154 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Burke Street Elementary School (grade B+), Spring Mills High School (grade B+), Rosemont Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Faith Christian Academy (grade B), St. Joseph School (grade unavailable), Martinsburg Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Inwood (grade B minus), Martinsburg (grade B minus), Falling Waters (grade B minus)

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#16. Jackson County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 27,868
- Median household income: $55,173
- Median home value: $148,200 (77% own)
- Median rent: $700 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Evans Elementary School (grade A minus), Fairplain Elementary School (grade B+), Kenna Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Heritage Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Ripley (grade B), Ravenswood (grade B minus)

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#15. Tyler County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 1,329
- Population: 8,336
- Median household income: $59,167
- Median home value: $109,800 (89% own)
- Median rent: $642 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Arthur I. Boreman Elementary School (grade B+), Sistersville Elementary School (grade B), Tyler Consolidated High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Indian Creek Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Middlebourne (grade B+), Sistersville (grade B)

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Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock

#14. Raleigh County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 1,269
- Population: 74,303
- Median household income: $47,975
- Median home value: $132,300 (75% own)
- Median rent: $819 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Hollywood Elementary School (grade A minus), Park Middle School (grade A minus), Crescent Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Mabscott Christian Academy (grade B+), Victory Baptist Academy (grade B+), Greater Beckley Christian School (grade B)
- Top places: Prosperity (grade B+), Mabscott (grade B+), Shady Spring (grade B)

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Claire Salvail Photos // Shutterstock

#13. Mercer County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 1,196
- Population: 59,530
- Median household income: $46,409
- Median home value: $115,100 (70% own)
- Median rent: $777 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Athens Elementary School (grade B+), Glenwood School (grade B+), Princeton Senior High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Mercer Christian Academy (grade C+)
- Top places: Athens (grade A), Bluefield (grade B+), Princeton (grade B)

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Dennis Ray Dennison II // Shutterstock

#12. Mineral County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 1,165
- Population: 26,957
- Median household income: $64,728
- Median home value: $162,400 (81% own)
- Median rent: $713 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Elk Garden School (grade B+), Frankfort Middle School (grade B), Frankfort High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Keyser (grade B+), Carpendale (grade C+), Ridgeley (grade B)

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#11. Hancock County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 1,139
- Population: 28,907
- Median household income: $57,515
- Median home value: $111,700 (74% own)
- Median rent: $731 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: New Manchester Elementary School (grade B+), Allison Elementary School (grade B+), Oak Glen Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Weirton Madonna High School (grade B+), St. Joseph the Worker Grade School (grade unavailable), St. Paul School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Weirton (grade B+), Chester (grade B), Newell (grade C)

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#10. Marion County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 1,086
- Population: 56,194
- Median household income: $59,974
- Median home value: $147,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $870 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Fairview Middle School (grade A minus), White Hall Elementary School (grade A minus), Pleasant Valley Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Fairmont Catholic Grade School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Pleasant Valley (grade B+), White Hall (grade B+), Fairmont (grade B)

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#9. Wood County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 926
- Population: 84,272
- Median household income: $54,350
- Median home value: $140,700 (75% own)
- Median rent: $780 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Greenmont Elementary School (grade A minus), Criss Elementary School (grade A minus), Williamstown Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Parkersburg Catholic High School (grade A minus), Wood County Christian School (grade B), Parkersburg Christian School (grade C+)
- Top places: Williamstown (grade A), Vienna (grade A minus), Blennerhassett (grade A minus)

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#8. Gilmer County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 883
- Population: 7,444
- Median household income: $51,552
- Median home value: $89,800 (74% own)
- Median rent: $670 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Gilmer County High School (grade C), Leading Creek Elementary School (grade C), Gilmer County Elementary School (grade C minus)
- Top private schools: Normantown Christian Ltd. (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Glenville (grade B+), Sand Fork (grade B)

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#7. Harrison County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 803
- Population: 65,862
- Median household income: $56,184
- Median home value: $146,900 (74% own)
- Median rent: $836 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Bridgeport High School (grade A minus), Bridgeport Middle School (grade A minus), Johnson Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Notre Dame High School (grade A minus), Heritage Christian School (grade B+), Lasting Impressions Child Development Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Bridgeport (grade A+), Clarksburg (grade B+), Nutter Fort (grade B)

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#6. Kanawha County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 796
- Population: 179,895
- Median household income: $55,226
- Median home value: $131,200 (70% own)
- Median rent: $868 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Kenna Elementary School (grade A minus), George Washington High School (grade A minus), Holz Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Charleston Catholic High School (grade A minus), Cross Lanes Christian School (grade B), Elk Valley Christian School (grade C)
- Top places: Charleston (grade A minus), South Charleston (grade B+), Cross Lanes (grade B)

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#5. Jefferson County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 570
- Population: 58,043
- Median household income: $93,744
- Median home value: $303,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,073 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: C.W. Shipley Elementary School (grade A minus), Harpers Ferry Middle School (grade B+), Shepherdstown Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Wee Disciples Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Jefferson Academy (grade unavailable), Rock Spring Child Learning Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Shepherdstown (grade A), Charles Town (grade A minus), Shannondale (grade B minus)

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#4. Cabell County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 413
- Population: 93,965
- Median household income: $48,944
- Median home value: $144,200 (65% own)
- Median rent: $857 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Culloden Elementary School (grade A minus), Hite Saunders Elementary School (grade A minus), Barboursville Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: St. Joseph Catholic High School (grade A minus), Covenant School (grade B+), Grace Christian School (grade B)
- Top places: Barboursville (grade A), Pea Ridge (grade A minus), Culloden (grade B+)

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#3. Putnam County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 405
- Population: 57,347
- Median household income: $75,725
- Median home value: $202,300 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,007 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: West Teays Elementary School (grade A), Winfield Middle School (grade A minus), Rock Branch Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Calvary Baptist Academy (grade B minus), Teays Valley Christian School (grade C+)
- Top places: Winfield (grade A), Teays Valley (grade A), Hurricane (grade A minus)

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#2. Ohio County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 174
- Population: 42,224
- Median household income: $55,521
- Median home value: $153,000 (68% own)
- Median rent: $773 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Ritchie Elementary School (grade A), Triadelphia Middle School (grade A minus), West Liberty Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Linsly School (grade A), Central Catholic High School (grade B+), St. Michael Parish School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Bethlehem (grade A), Wheeling (grade B+), Clearview (grade A minus)

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#1. Monongalia County, West Virginia

- Overall Rank: 41
- Population: 105,988
- Median household income: $60,893
- Median home value: $242,100 (57% own)
- Median rent: $929 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Suncrest Middle School (grade A), North Elementary School (grade A), Mountaineer Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Trinity Christian School (grade B+), Morgantown Christian Academy (grade B minus), St. Francis de Sales Central Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Star City (grade A+), Cheat Lake (grade A+), Morgantown (grade A)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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