Your life in Mason County, West Virginia

What stands out

Three things set Mason County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the overdose death rate is among the highest in America (65 per 100,000), the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 3% of American counties (0.3 per 1,000), and winter sunshine is in the bottom 4% of American counties (-1.6 on the USDA scale). Within West Virginia it ranks 10th of 55 counties for the overdose death rate.

Where you are

You live in Mason County, West Virginia. 25,488 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +26).

West Virginia has some of the lowest home prices in the country, a graduated income tax with rates cut sharply since 2023, and it fully exempts Social Security from tax starting with the 2026 tax year. Property taxes are low. The state has lost population in most years since 2012, and its economy still leans on coal, natural gas and, increasingly, outdoor recreation and remote-worker incentive programs.

Money

The typical household here brings in $53,058 a year, lower than 72% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,568. Unemployment runs 4.3%, higher than 77% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

West Virginia takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,658 a year.

Home

The median home costs $163K, cheaper than 79% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $649 a month. Property tax is 0.62% of home value, roughly $727 a year on that median home, lower than 75% of American counties. 84% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than 89% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 65 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.8 years, shorter than 89% of American counties. There are 25 active physicians in the county, about 9.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 6.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.75 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 89% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 55 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 53% of eligible voters turned out. Under West Virginia law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 55°F, highs near 66 and lows near 43, colder than 55% of American counties. About 47 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 12 out of 100, safer than 88% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 283 Mbps down, faster than 90% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• West Virginia tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.