1st Advantage MortgageCabell County households have a median income of $55,832 and median rent of $923 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Cabell County
- Renting and owning in Cabell County
- What Cabell County households earn
- Work, industries and travel time in Cabell County
- Places inside Cabell County
- Regional comparison for Cabell County
- Cabell County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Cabell County
- A Cabell County household budget, worked through
- Checking a lender's license in West Virginia
- Steps before you apply in Cabell County
- More guides for Cabell County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Cabell County
Cabell County is home to about 92,739 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 4th most populous of 55 county-level areas in West Virginia. Land area is 281 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 330 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (3 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Huntington, with about 45,787 residents, or 49% of the county.
Renting and owning in Cabell County
Renters in Cabell County pay a median of $923 a month, 6% above the West Virginia figure of $872. 57% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 32% spend half or more. Home values center on $164,400, or 2.9 years of median income. 64% of Cabell County households own their home and 36% rent. Median construction year: 1971.
| Cost | Cabell County | West Virginia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $923/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $164,400 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 64% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 57% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.7% | 13.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 15% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
What Cabell County households earn
Cabell County households have a median income of $55,832 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 28th of 55 in West Virginia.
| Household income | Cabell County | vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.1% | +3.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | -1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.2% | -3.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | +0.8 pts |
About 34% of households earn under $35,000, while 25% clear $100,000. 19.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.7%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Work, industries and travel time in Cabell County
By the Census industry count, 33% of employed Cabell County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 33% locally and 28% for West Virginia. The survey's unemployment rate for Cabell County averages 5.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.4%). 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. Households without a car make up 10.4% of the total (8.0% statewide).
| Where residents work | Cabell County | Difference from West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 33.0% | +4.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.3% | +2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.2% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | -0.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Places inside Cabell County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Cabell County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 64,611 residents, leaving about 30% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $73,318 at the median in Culloden, $45,100 in Huntington. Rent is cheapest in Lesage ($746) and steepest in Milton ($1,198). Live in one of these Cabell County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington | city | 45,787 | $45,100 | $912 | 10 mi |
| Pea Ridge | CDP | 6,988 | $65,811 | $1,014 | 4 mi |
| Barboursville | village | 4,376 | $60,571 | $1,037 | 3 mi |
| Culloden | CDP | 3,040 | $73,318 | $798 | 9 mi |
| Milton | town | 2,817 | $46,429 | $1,198 | 6 mi |
| Lesage | CDP | 1,329 | n/a | $746 | 5 mi |
| Salt Rock | CDP | 274 | $55,354 | n/a | 6 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Regional comparison for Cabell County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 27 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Cabell County; Putnam County is highest at $79,527 and Lincoln County lowest at $46,205. Some neighbors are in Kentucky and Ohio. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Cabell County resident follows West Virginia rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabell County | - | $55,832 | $923/mo | 64% |
| Putnam County, WV | 19 mi | $79,527 | $952/mo | 82% |
| Lincoln County, WV | 19 mi | $46,205 | $771/mo | 74% |
| Lawrence County, OH | 20 mi | $58,325 | $848/mo | 72% |
| Wayne County, WV | 21 mi | $58,878 | $915/mo | 79% |
| Boyd County, KY | 24 mi | $61,118 | $849/mo | 70% |
| Mason County, WV | 27 mi | $49,761 | $671/mo | 82% |
Cabell County residents: age, schooling, coverage
33% of Cabell County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 6.8%, against 6.0% for West Virginia.
| People and households | Cabell County | West Virginia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.2 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 32.6% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.4% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.4% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.7% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.2% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.1% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
Before borrowing in Cabell County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Cabell County borrowers.
- Assistance before credit. With a 19% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Cabell County loan.
- Rent squeeze. 57% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
A Cabell County household budget, worked through
Cabell County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Cabell County: $4,653
- Median rent: $923, or 20 cents of every gross dollar
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,078 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $923, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checking a lender's license in West Virginia
Before sharing details with a lender, a Cabell County resident can confirm its license with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on West Virginia: West Virginia personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Cabell County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Cabell County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for West Virginia borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Cabell County
The West Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Cabell County?
$55,832 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $59,608 for West Virginia. It ranks 28th of 55 in the state.
Is Cabell County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $923 against $872 statewide, and 57% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Cabell County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Huntington, Pea Ridge, Barboursville, Culloden, Milton.
Can Cabell County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every West Virginia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Cabell County?
Start with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.