Mortgage vs free-and-clear medians
- With mortgage
- $1,077/yr
- Without mortgage
- $691/yr
- Gap
- $386
Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024
West Virginia Property Taxes
The average West Virginia homeowner pays $865 a year at an effective rate of 0.53%. That bill is 57% below the U.S. median bill. Compare 55 counties below.
- $865
- Avg median tax
- 0.53%
- Effective rate
- #41 of 51
- U.S. rank (burden)
- 55
- Counties
West Virginia homeowners pay a median of $865 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 0.53%, the 41st-highest burden of 51 U.S. jurisdictions (50 states and DC).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2024), the median West Virginia homeowner pays $865 a year on a home worth $162,600, an effective rate of 0.53%. The bill runs 57% below the $1,993 national median. County medians range $303 (Webster County) to $1,857 (Jefferson County) across 55 counties.
What the statewide average misses
County medians in West Virginia run from $303 in Webster County to $1,857 (Jefferson County). That range is why a statewide figure is a starting point, not a parcel-level estimate.
- $303–$1,857 (Jefferson County)
- County median-bill range
- 0.53%
- Home-weighted county rate
- 42%
- Homes in the eight largest counties
County medians come from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024. The statewide effective rate in the hero is median tax divided by median home value.
How small is West Virginia's share of U.S. property-tax collections?
In Census FY2024, West Virginia's state and local governments collected $2.2B in property tax, only 0.31% of the national haul (#45 of 51). Spread across 545,595 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $4,076 per home - 4.7× the ACS median homeowner bill of $865. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
FY2024 collections: $2.2B · rank #45 · 0.31% of the U.S. state-and-local property-tax haul.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, FY2024, series LF0009 (property tax), government level State and Local (GOVTYPE 001). Amounts are published in thousands of dollars. This is a government-revenue series, not tax, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for the ACS homeowner median bill above.
ACS tenure & reporting signals · 2024
Mortgage tenure and zero-tax reporting in West Virginia
These sub-topics sit on dedicated research and guide pages fleet-wide; here they are computed for West Virginia from the same ACS tables that power county medians above.
Owners reporting no tax
- All owner-occupied
- 10.4%
- With mortgage
- 3.1%
- Sample (owned homes)
- 293,937
ACS reports what households paid, not approved exemptions. Exemption guide
County effective-rate spread
Published medians span 0.30% in Pocahontas County to 0.67% in Boone County - a 0.37 percentage-point gap across 55 counties.
Appeal guide for when a parcel sits above its county median.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024), Table B25087 (mortgage status medians) and county tax_distribution aggregates (zero-tax reporting shares). Informational only, not tax or legal advice.
The average median property tax in West Virginia is $865/year, which is 57% below the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 0.53% on a median home value of $162,600. Taxes range from $303 in Webster County to $1,857 (Jefferson County).
Read the state signal first
What the data changes in West Virginia
A rate compares places with different home values. The annual bill shows a typical dollar amount. County spread shows why neither is a parcel estimate.
The clearest local difference
County bills span a wide range
Across 55 measured counties, the published median runs from $303 in Webster County to $1,857 (Jefferson County). Local school levies, county bonds, municipal overlays, and assessment practice create this within-state spread.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau. Individual bills can differ with assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making a decision.
State Average vs National Average
Median Annual Tax
$865
-57% vs US avg
Median Home Value
$162,600
-29% vs US avg
Effective Tax Rate
0.53%
-42% vs US avg
Rate-band peers near West Virginia
Nearest ACS 2024 jurisdictions by effective rate (not geography). Each row names another state so West Virginia's 0.53% rate is read against real neighbors such as Utah and Arkansas.
| Peer state | Effective rate | Vs West Virginia | Median bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Also open Utah for county spread | 0.52% | Utah nearly matches West Virginia | $2,525 |
| Arkansas Also open Arkansas for county spread | 0.55% | Arkansas nearly matches West Virginia | $1,040 |
| Louisiana Also open Louisiana for county spread | 0.55% | Louisiana nearly matches West Virginia | $1,180 |
| Delaware Also open Delaware for county spread | 0.50% | Delaware nearly matches West Virginia | $1,768 |
| Tennessee Also open Tennessee for county spread | 0.50% | Tennessee nearly matches West Virginia | $1,442 |
| Idaho Also open Idaho for county spread | 0.49% | Idaho nearly matches West Virginia | $2,038 |
Nationwide states with similar effective rate & median bill
Two PlainPropertyTax-derived comparison paths for West Virginia, excluding West Virginia itself so the link neighborhoods are not self-referential. Median-bill peers exclude the effective-rate peer set so the two axes stay disjoint.
Similar effective rate
Nearest other states by ACS effective rate. West Virginia: 0.53%.
Similar median bill
Nearest other states by ACS median annual tax. West Virginia: $865/yr. Rate peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Where West Virginia sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective property tax rate (median tax ÷ median home value) across the 50 states and DC, ACS 2024.
Where West Virginia sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective rate · ACS 2024 · 50 states and DC
0.53% Among the more affordable rates more affordable than 78% of 51 U.S. jurisdictions
Show national distribution
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more U.S. jurisdictions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024
West Virginia has a higher effective property tax rate than 20% of U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 states and DC), ranking #41 of 51 for property tax burden. Rate neighbors: Utah (0.52%, nearly level); Arkansas (0.55%, nearly level); Louisiana (0.55%, nearly level).
What West Virginia's biggest counties actually charge
Effective rate in the eight West Virginia counties holding the most owner-occupied homes, ordered largest first (highlighted) and together holding 42% of the state's. ACS 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Counties ordered by owner-occupied housing units (B25003_002E), not by resident population.
West Virginia's median county rate is 0.53%, but that figure counts every county equally. Weight each county by how many owner-occupied homes it actually holds and the rate a typical West Virginia homeowner faces is 0.53%, close to the plain median, so West Virginia's larger counties are not unusual for the state.
Top 5 Lowest Tax Counties
Top 5 Highest Tax Counties
Tax Affordability Score
9.5
Very Affordable
Based on the average effective tax rate of 0.53% compared to the national average of 0.92%. West Virginia has below-average property tax rates, making it a more affordable state for homeowners.
Very Expensive Very Affordable
How this score is calculated: a 1-10 scale from West Virginia's 0.53% vs the national 0.92% - read beside Utah and Arkansas before treating the score as band-typical. A ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, at or above 2.0× scores 1, linear between. Census figures only, not a recommendation or endorsement.
Counties in West Virginia by tax bill
Ranked from highest median annual bill downward across 55 measured counties. Gold/silver/bronze mark the top three list positions; effective rate is the focal comparison when home values differ.
| # | County | Median tax | Eff. rate | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jefferson County | $1,857 | 0.53% | $350,800 |
| 2 | Berkeley County | $1,398 | 0.52% | $266,300 |
| 3 | Putnam County | $1,311 | 0.59% | $223,300 |
| 4 | Monongalia County | $1,248 | 0.47% | $267,700 |
| 5 | Morgan County | $1,125 | 0.47% | $240,600 |
| 6 | Ohio County | $999 | 0.60% | $166,000 |
| 7 | Cabell County | $992 | 0.60% | $164,400 |
| 8 | Marion County | $978 | 0.59% | $166,700 |
| 9 | Kanawha County | $964 | 0.65% | $147,300 |
| 10 | Wood County | $941 | 0.59% | $158,500 |
| 11 | Harrison County | $908 | 0.55% | $166,200 |
| 12 | Hampshire County | $836 | 0.38% | $219,200 |
| 13 | Jackson County | $834 | 0.53% | $157,200 |
| 14 | Hancock County | $826 | 0.63% | $130,800 |
| 15 | Pleasants County | $819 | 0.54% | $151,000 |
| 16 | Mineral County | $818 | 0.45% | $180,400 |
| 17 | Doddridge County | $808 | 0.50% | $160,800 |
| 18 | Taylor County | $797 | 0.54% | $148,800 |
| 19 | Preston County | $793 | 0.49% | $162,800 |
| 20 | Ritchie County | $763 | 0.66% | $115,900 |
| 21 | Raleigh County | $754 | 0.50% | $150,900 |
| 22 | Brooke County | $746 | 0.53% | $141,500 |
| 23 | Monroe County | $725 | 0.46% | $156,300 |
| 24 | Wetzel County | $721 | 0.67% | $107,900 |
| 25 | Upshur County | $717 | 0.42% | $170,800 |
| 26 | Mason County | $706 | 0.59% | $120,300 |
| 27 | Lewis County | $692 | 0.46% | $151,800 |
| 28 | Tyler County | $689 | 0.57% | $121,300 |
| 29 | Marshall County | $680 | 0.45% | $149,800 |
| 30 | Fayette County | $676 | 0.64% | $105,800 |
| 31 | Greenbrier County | $663 | 0.44% | $149,000 |
| 32 | Mercer County | $656 | 0.54% | $121,700 |
| 33 | Pendleton County | $633 | 0.34% | $183,800 |
| 34 | Boone County | $620 | 0.67% | $93,100 |
| 35 | Wirt County | $597 | 0.52% | $115,800 |
| 36 | Wayne County | $594 | 0.47% | $127,100 |
| 37 | Logan County | $576 | 0.56% | $103,400 |
| 38 | Hardy County | $575 | 0.35% | $166,300 |
| 39 | Tucker County | $575 | 0.37% | $154,800 |
| 40 | Barbour County | $562 | 0.43% | $131,900 |
| 41 | Randolph County | $559 | 0.39% | $144,800 |
| 42 | Nicholas County | $554 | 0.46% | $121,600 |
| 43 | Grant County | $540 | 0.31% | $175,100 |
| 44 | Lincoln County | $538 | 0.51% | $105,300 |
| 45 | Roane County | $537 | 0.44% | $122,100 |
| 46 | Braxton County | $535 | 0.45% | $117,900 |
| 47 | Pocahontas County | $462 | 0.30% | $152,400 |
| 48 | Summers County | $439 | 0.31% | $140,100 |
| 49 | Calhoun County | $426 | 0.42% | $100,500 |
| 50 | Mingo County | $423 | 0.47% | $90,500 |
| 51 | Gilmer County | $410 | 0.49% | $83,800 |
| 52 | Clay County | $377 | 0.35% | $109,100 |
| 53 | Wyoming County | $369 | 0.45% | $82,900 |
| 54 | McDowell County | $337 | 0.67% | $50,000 |
| 55 | Webster County | $303 | 0.40% | $76,100 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which county in West Virginia has the lowest property taxes? ▼
Webster County has the lowest median property tax in West Virginia at $303 per year with an effective rate of 0.40%. The highest is Jefferson County at $1,857.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average? ▼
West Virginia property taxes are 57% below the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $865 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.
What is the average property tax in West Virginia? ▼
The average median property tax paid in West Virginia is $865 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 0.53%.
What is the median home value in West Virginia? ▼
The median home value across West Virginia is $162,600, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.
How small is West Virginia's share of U.S. property-tax collections? ▼
In Census FY2024, West Virginia's state and local governments collected $2.2B in property tax, only 0.31% of the national haul (#45 of 51). Spread across 545,595 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $4,076 per home - 4.7× the ACS median homeowner bill of $865. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
What share of West Virginia owners report paying no property tax? ▼
10.4% of owner-occupied homes in West Virginia report zero property tax on the ACS survey (3.1% among mortgaged owners). That is a reporting signal, exemptions, caps, or non-levying jurisdictions, not an exemption headcount.
Do homeowners with a mortgage pay more property tax in West Virginia? ▼
ACS 2024 medians show mortgaged owners pay $1,077/yr versus $691 for owners without a mortgage, a $386 gap. Our mortgage-gap research page ranks this spread against all states.
How are property taxes calculated? ▼
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.
Can I appeal my property taxes in West Virginia? ▼
Yes. Every West Virginia homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.
What to do with West Virginia's numbers
Turn the ACS 2024 statewide medians into a county check, an estimate, or an appeal path.
- West Virginia's ACS 2024 median bill is $865/yr at 0.53% (57% below the U.S. median). Open any county below to see how far local bills sit from that statewide figure. County list
- Inside West Virginia, Webster County posts the lowest median bill at $303/yr; Jefferson County is highest at $1,857/yr. Open Webster County
- Estimate a parcel bill at West Virginia's published effective rate, or read the state's assessment and appeal path before treating the statewide median as your budget. State estimator
Statewide medians average across 55 counties; your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, and local levies set the real bill. U.S. Census Bureau ACS · 2024.
Editorial standards and provenance
PlainPropertyTax is rendered directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on the Census ACS state-level record for West Virginia. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-09.