West Virginia property taxes by county
Across West Virginia, the median owner-occupied home pays $865 a year in real-estate taxes on a median home value of $162,600 — an effective property-tax rate of 0.532%. That ranks West Virginia #41 of 51 states and the District of Columbia (1 = highest). This page carries all 55 West Virginia county-equivalents in the Census data — 55 with a published effective rate — sortable by rate, taxes paid, home value, income, or five-year change. 1 of them also carry a full detail card here — every median with its Census margin of error, both rankings, the six nearest counties, and the five-year change. It also sets out how property tax actually works in West Virginia: how property is assessed, which exemptions exist and who qualifies, the deadline and body for an appeal, and the payment schedule and penalties — each hand-sourced from official West Virginia sources. Figures are U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates.
- Effective tax rate
- 0.532%
- Median real-estate taxes
- $865 ± $9
- Median home value
- $162,600
- Median household income
- $59,608
- National rank
- #41 of 51
- County-equivalents
- 55
Median real-estate taxes ÷ median home value — a ratio of two independently-estimated medians, not a statutory (millage) rate.
How property tax varies across West Virginia
Across West Virginia's 55 county-equivalents with a published rate, the effective property-tax rate runs from 0.674% in McDowell County down to 0.303% in Pocahontas County — a 2.2× spread inside a single state, which is why a statewide average tells a buyer very little.
The largest median real-estate tax bill in West Virginia is $1,857 in Jefferson County, which ranks #21 of 55 by RATE — while the state's highest rate, 0.674%, is in McDowell County, where the median bill is $337. Dollars and rate are different questions and rank counties differently.
Measured against the national median effective rate of 0.937%, 0 of West Virginia's 55 ranked counties sit above it and 55 below. West Virginia as a whole ranks #41 of 51 (1 = highest).
Median home value statewide is $162,600, but within West Virginia it ranges from $350,800 in Jefferson County to $50,000 in McDowell County — the denominator of the effective rate, and the main reason two counties with similar bills can show very different rates.
Statewide, the median real-estate tax bill equals about 1.5% of median household income. That share is heaviest in Monongalia County (1.9%) and lightest in Webster County (0.7%).
Comparing the non-overlapping Census periods 2015–2019 and 2020–2024, median real-estate taxes rose by a statistically significant amount in 42 of West Virginia's 55 counties with a comparable trend, fell significantly in 0, and showed no statistically significant change in 13.
Estimate a West Virginia property tax bill
A median-based estimate, not a quote, an assessment, or a tax bill — it cannot know your assessed value, exemptions, or special districts. How this is computed.
Every West Virginia county
All 55 West Virginia county-equivalents in the Census data (55 with a published effective rate). Click a column heading to sort. Counties in bold have a full detail card further down this page — margins of error, nearby counties, and their five-year trend.
| McDowell County | 0.674% | $337 | $586 | $309 | $50,000 | $31,559 | 1.1% | #1 | #1984 | +52.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wetzel County | 0.668% | $721 | $879 | $617 | $107,900 | $56,836 | 1.3% | #2 | #2003 | +26.3% |
| Boone County | 0.666% | $620 | $853 | $442 | $93,100 | $57,093 | 1.1% | #3 | #2014 | +19.9% |
| Ritchie County | 0.658% | $763 | $803 | $721 | $115,900 | $50,582 | 1.5% | #4 | #2042 | +36.7% |
| Kanawha County | 0.654% | $964 | $1,119 | $835 | $147,300 | $60,943 | 1.6% | #5 | #2064 | +24.2% |
| Fayette County | 0.639% | $676 | $845 | $551 | $105,800 | $53,194 | 1.3% | #6 | #2117 | +12.1% |
| Hancock County | 0.631% | $826 | $923 | $752 | $130,800 | $61,466 | 1.3% | #7 | #2140 | +34.5% |
| Cabell County | 0.603% | $992 | $1,193 | $822 | $164,400 | $55,832 | 1.8% | #8 | #2246 | +21.4% |
| Ohio County | 0.602% | $999 | $1,022 | $980 | $166,000 | $57,094 | 1.8% | #9 | #2255 | +25.8% |
| Wood County | 0.594% | $941 | $1,117 | $816 | $158,500 | $57,810 | 1.6% | #10 | #2292 | +16% |
| Marion County | 0.587% | $978 | $1,136 | $865 | $166,700 | $67,370 | 1.4% | #13 | #2314 | +22.6% |
| Mason County | 0.587% | $706 | $877 | $581 | $120,300 | $49,761 | 1.4% | #12 | #2313 | +19.3% |
| Putnam County | 0.587% | $1,311 | $1,523 | $1,064 | $223,300 | $79,527 | 1.6% | #11 | #2311 | +30.1% |
| Tyler County | 0.568% | $689 | $891 | $626 | $121,300 | $63,693 | 1.1% | #14 | #2382 | +15.6% |
| Logan County | 0.557% | $576 | $772 | $470 | $103,400 | $49,723 | 1.2% | #15 | #2432 | +11% |
| Harrison County | 0.546% | $908 | $1,113 | $755 | $166,200 | $60,377 | 1.5% | #16 | #2471 | +25.8% |
| Pleasants County | 0.542% | $819 | $897 | $765 | $151,000 | $60,932 | 1.3% | #17 | #2487 | +27% |
| Mercer County | 0.539% | $656 | $878 | $528 | $121,700 | $53,210 | 1.2% | #18 | #2502 | +37.8% |
| Taylor County | 0.536% | $797 | $925 | $573 | $148,800 | $57,795 | 1.4% | #19 | #2514 | +29.4% |
| Jackson County | 0.531% | $834 | $846 | $821 | $157,200 | $58,845 | 1.4% | #20 | #2531 | +10.5% |
| Jefferson County | 0.529% | $1,857 | $1,927 | $1,659 | $350,800 | $98,806 | 1.9% | #21 | #2533 | +20.7% |
| Brooke County | 0.527% | $746 | $820 | $684 | $141,500 | $54,316 | 1.4% | #22 | #2537 | +23.3% |
| Berkeley County | 0.525% | $1,398 | $1,464 | $1,251 | $266,300 | $80,815 | 1.7% | #23 | #2556 | +18.2% |
| Wirt County | 0.516% | $597 | $759 | $513 | $115,800 | $49,867 | 1.2% | #24 | #2597 | +25.7% |
| Lincoln County | 0.511% | $538 | $790 | $440 | $105,300 | $46,205 | 1.2% | #25 | #2609 | +17.7% |
| Doddridge County | 0.502% | $808 | $816 | $802 | $160,800 | $57,401 | 1.4% | #26 | #2632 | +8.6% |
| Raleigh County | 0.500% | $754 | $870 | $604 | $150,900 | $52,150 | 1.4% | #27 | #2637 | +17.6% |
| Gilmer County | 0.489% | $410 | $410 | $409 | $83,800 | $47,981 | 0.8% | #28 | #2663 | −7.2% |
| Preston County | 0.487% | $793 | $1,024 | $629 | $162,800 | $61,880 | 1.3% | #29 | #2669 | +49.6% |
| Morgan County | 0.468% | $1,125 | $1,216 | $994 | $240,600 | $72,179 | 1.6% | #30 | #2732 | +0.1% |
| Mingo County | 0.467% | $423 | $711 | $378 | $90,500 | $38,119 | 1.1% | #31 | #2734 | +1.4% |
| Wayne County | 0.467% | $594 | $883 | $475 | $127,100 | $58,878 | 1.0% | #32 | #2736 | +4.4% |
| Monongalia County | 0.466% | $1,248 | $1,366 | $1,044 | $267,700 | $65,346 | 1.9% | #33 | #2742 | +19.9% |
| Monroe County | 0.464% | $725 | $726 | $725 | $156,300 | $56,750 | 1.3% | #34 | #2749 | +41.1% |
| Lewis County | 0.456% | $692 | $767 | $592 | $151,800 | $56,477 | 1.2% | #35 | #2774 | +27% |
| Nicholas County | 0.456% | $554 | $716 | $465 | $121,600 | $54,639 | 1.0% | #36 | #2776 | +13.3% |
| Braxton County | 0.454% | $535 | $604 | $490 | $117,900 | $50,331 | 1.1% | #38 | #2781 | +14.6% |
| Marshall County | 0.454% | $680 | $795 | $592 | $149,800 | $59,169 | 1.1% | #37 | #2778 | +24.8% |
| Mineral County | 0.453% | $818 | $1,034 | $679 | $180,400 | $69,375 | 1.2% | #39 | #2783 | +5.4% |
| Greenbrier County | 0.445% | $663 | $875 | $551 | $149,000 | $48,218 | 1.4% | #41 | #2818 | +21.4% |
| Wyoming County | 0.445% | $369 | $398 | $353 | $82,900 | $48,440 | 0.8% | #40 | #2817 | +25.1% |
| Roane County | 0.440% | $537 | $721 | $454 | $122,100 | $45,778 | 1.2% | #42 | #2833 | +23.4% |
| Barbour County | 0.426% | $562 | $644 | $497 | $131,900 | $51,394 | 1.1% | #43 | #2865 | +20.1% |
| Calhoun County | 0.424% | $426 | $627 | $357 | $100,500 | $43,980 | 1.0% | #44 | #2873 | +22.1% |
| Upshur County | 0.420% | $717 | $765 | $649 | $170,800 | $54,338 | 1.3% | #45 | #2879 | +21.7% |
| Webster County | 0.398% | $303 | $352 | $284 | $76,100 | $43,839 | 0.7% | #46 | #2927 | +18.4% |
| Randolph County | 0.386% | $559 | $697 | $508 | $144,800 | $52,757 | 1.1% | #47 | #2951 | +11.8% |
| Hampshire County | 0.381% | $836 | $894 | $796 | $219,200 | $63,116 | 1.3% | #48 | #2962 | +39.6% |
| Tucker County | 0.371% | $575 | $710 | $495 | $154,800 | $53,358 | 1.1% | #49 | #2976 | +21.1% |
| Clay County | 0.346% | $377 | $578 | $344 | $109,100 | $42,318 | 0.9% | #51 | #3011 | +16.4% |
| Hardy County | 0.346% | $575 | $658 | $533 | $166,300 | $49,272 | 1.2% | #50 | #3010 | +0.3% |
| Pendleton County | 0.344% | $633 | $722 | $564 | $183,800 | $64,931 | 1.0% | #52 | #3013 | +11.1% |
| Summers County | 0.313% | $439 | $591 | $377 | $140,100 | $40,699 | 1.1% | #53 | #3062 | +18.6% |
| Grant County | 0.308% | $540 | $559 | $520 | $175,100 | $62,361 | 0.9% | #54 | #3068 | +13% |
| Pocahontas County | 0.303% | $462 | $490 | $443 | $152,400 | $42,119 | 1.1% | #55 | #3074 | +9.5% |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-year estimates — tables B25103 (real-estate taxes), B25077 (home value), B19013 (household income) — and the 2024 Census county gazetteer. Public domain (Title 17 U.S.C. §105).
County detail — 1 West Virginia county in depth
Full figures for the West Virginia counties most searched for, each with the Census margin of error on every median, both rankings, the five-year change, and the six nearest county-equivalents by centroid distance — nearby, not necessarily bordering, and cross-state neighbours included. For any individual property's assessed value, exemptions and bill, use that county's own assessor or appraisal district; per-county assessor URLs are never guessed here (why).
Kanawha County 0.654% · median tax $964 · #2064 nationally
- Median taxes — all owner-occupied
- $964 ± $32
- With a mortgage
- $1,119 ± $57
- Without a mortgage
- $835 ± $40
- Median home value
- $147,300 ± $4,303
- Median household income
- $60,943 ± $1,546
- Taxes as share of income
- 1.6%
- Effective rate
- 0.654%
- Rank in West Virginia
- #5 of 55
- National rank
- #2064 of 3,135
- Estimated tax on a $145,000 home
- $948
Median real-estate taxes rose 24.2% over five years ($776 → $964) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The change in the effective tax rate (0.690% → 0.654%) is not statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $112,500 → $147,300 (+30.9%), and the rate changed −0.035 percentage points.
Nearest counties to Kanawha County:
- Boone County, WV — 0.666%, median tax $620, 38 km away
- Putnam County, WV — 0.587%, median tax $1,311, 39 km away
- Clay County, WV — 0.346%, median tax $377, 41 km away
- Roane County, WV — 0.440%, median tax $537, 48 km away
- Fayette County, WV — 0.639%, median tax $676, 51 km away
- Lincoln County, WV — 0.511%, median tax $538, 51 km away
Comparing the non-overlapping Census periods 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 — consecutive 5-year estimates share survey sample and are never compared here.
How property tax works in West Virginia
Assessment, exemptions, appeals and payment are set by West Virginia law and practice, so they apply to every county in the table above. Each fact is taken from an official government source and linked to it.
- How property is assessed
- The assessed value of property is generally 60 percent of its fair market value, or 60 percent of the value determined under the valuation methodology specified by the Legislature; a $100,000 market value yields a $60,000 assessed value. The county assessor values residential real estate, commercial business property and personal property, while the Tax Commissioner values natural resource and industrial property. source →
- Exemptions & credits
- The first $20,000 of assessed value of owner-occupied residential property owned by a person age 65 or older, or by a person who is permanently and totally disabled, is exempt. Also exempt are household goods and personal effects not used commercially, agricultural tangible personal property including livestock while owned by the producer, and property of IRC 501(c)(3) organizations used exclusively for charitable purposes. source →
- Appealing an assessment
- Owners protesting assessed value must file with their county commission sitting as a board of equalization and review, which begins meeting February 1 each year, and must file before the property taxes are due for that year. The board may adjourn any time after February 15 if its work is complete and must adjourn no later than February 28. source →
- Payment schedule & penalties
- County sheriffs issue tax bills, called tickets, on or after July 15 of the property tax year. Taxes are payable in two installments: the first due September 1 of the property tax year, the second due March 1 of the next calendar year. A 2.5 percent discount applies to each half paid early. Unpaid first-half taxes become delinquent October 1 and second-half April 1, accruing 9 percent interest per year. source →
- Why rates vary within the state
- Taxes are levied by county boards of education, county commissions, municipalities, and the State, each subject to maximum regular levy rates that differ by property class. Voters can approve excess levies: a municipality or county commission may raise its share of the maximum regular rate by up to 50 percent for up to five years, a county board of education by up to 100 percent. source →
- What makes this state's system distinctive
- The State constitution divides property into four classes. Class I is intangible personal property and certain personal property employed exclusively in agriculture, and no property is currently taxed in this classification. Class II is owner-occupied residential property and farm land. Classes III and IV cover everything else, split by whether the property sits outside or inside a municipality. source →
Hand-sourced from official government sources — not a substitute for your own assessor's notice, and not legal or tax advice. Where a fact isn't confirmed on an official source, it is left off rather than guessed, which is why some states show fewer rows than others.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average property tax rate in West Virginia?
- Statewide, West Virginia's effective property-tax rate is 0.532% — the state median real-estate taxes ($865) divided by the state median home value ($162,600), from the Census ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. The national figure is about 0.937%, which puts West Virginia at #41 of 51 (1 = highest). Individual counties vary widely; the table above shows every one.
- Which West Virginia county has the highest property taxes?
- By effective rate, McDowell County is highest in West Virginia at 0.674% (median bill $337), and Pocahontas County is lowest at 0.303% (median bill $462). Ranked by dollars paid rather than rate the order changes, because home values differ so much across the state — the table above shows both columns and sorts on either.
- What property tax exemptions are available in West Virginia?
- The first $20,000 of assessed value of owner-occupied residential property owned by a person age 65 or older, or by a person who is permanently and totally disabled, is exempt. Also exempt are household goods and personal effects not used commercially, agricultural tangible personal property including livestock while owned by the producer, and property of IRC 501(c)(3) organizations used exclusively for charitable purposes. Eligibility and filing are handled by your county assessor, and the exemption you qualify for changes your bill far more than the county you are in — the rates above are county medians and do not account for any exemption.
- How do I appeal a property tax assessment in West Virginia?
- Owners protesting assessed value must file with their county commission sitting as a board of equalization and review, which begins meeting February 1 each year, and must file before the property taxes are due for that year. The board may adjourn any time after February 15 if its work is complete and must adjourn no later than February 28. Missing the deadline usually means waiting a full year, so check the date on your own assessment notice rather than relying on a general figure.
- When are property taxes due in West Virginia?
- County sheriffs issue tax bills, called tickets, on or after July 15 of the property tax year. Taxes are payable in two installments: the first due September 1 of the property tax year, the second due March 1 of the next calendar year. A 2.5 percent discount applies to each half paid early. Unpaid first-half taxes become delinquent October 1 and second-half April 1, accruing 9 percent interest per year. If your taxes are paid through a mortgage escrow account, your servicer pays on this schedule on your behalf.
- How is property assessed in West Virginia?
- The assessed value of property is generally 60 percent of its fair market value, or 60 percent of the value determined under the valuation methodology specified by the Legislature; a $100,000 market value yields a $60,000 assessed value. The county assessor values residential real estate, commercial business property and personal property, while the Tax Commissioner values natural resource and industrial property. This is why an effective rate computed from market value — as every rate on this page is — will not match the millage rate printed on your bill: the two are applied to different bases.
Compare & explore
See the national highest and lowest property-tax rates, or read the methodology behind every figure. The national median effective rate is 0.937%; West Virginia's statewide figure is 0.532%.