1st Advantage MortgageGrant County (10,983 residents) has a $62,361 median household income and $644 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. 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 Grant County
- What stands out in Grant County
- The $62,361 median and what sits around it
- Rent, home values and ownership in Grant County
- Where Grant County works
- Grant County communities by population
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Debt-to-income, Grant County edition
- Before borrowing in Grant County
- Who lives in Grant County, in numbers
- Checklist for Grant County applicants
- West Virginia rules that apply in Grant County
- Other West Virginia guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Grant County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Grant County's population at 10,983; only 42 of West Virginia's 55 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 477 square miles, that works out to roughly 23.0 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Grant County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 2 Census places inside Grant County, Petersburg leads by population with about 2,384; 2 of the 2 are incorporated.
What stands out in Grant County
Ranked against the other 54 county-level areas in West Virginia, these are the Grant County figures furthest from the middle.
- The uninsured rate: 4.6% in Grant County. Only 2 of 55 West Virginia counties are lower. Even insured households face deductibles; ask the provider about a payment plan.
- Few West Virginia counties match Grant County on the ACS unemployment rate: 3.3% here, 5.4% for the state, ranking 5th lowest of 55. Low unemployment does not lower your rate; your credit does.
- On median gross rent, Grant County sits near the bottom of West Virginia at $644/mo, 7th lowest of 55. Cheaper housing gives many renters more slack in a budget.
The $62,361 median and what sits around it
At $62,361, the typical Grant County household income is 5% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Grant County | Difference from West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.5% | +0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.7% | +4.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.9% | -3.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.9% | -1.0 pts |
Six-figure households (23%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (30%) in Grant County. Grant County counts about 1,457 residents below the poverty line, 13.3% of the population. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.434 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Grant County
Half of Grant County renters pay more than $644 a month and half pay less; the West Virginia midpoint is $872. 52% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 34% spend half or more. With a median value of $175,100, a typical Grant County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. In Grant County, 81% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. The median year built is 1980. Against the median U.S. county, Grant County rent is 27% below.
| Housing | Grant County | West Virginia statewide | Grant County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 23% | 15% | +7.1 pts |
| Owners | 81% | 75% | +6.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 49% | +3.3 pts |
| Median gross rent | $644/mo | $872/mo | 26% lower |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 20% | -2.4 pts |
| Median home value | $175,100 | $162,600 | 8% higher |
At a $175,100 median value, many Grant County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured). High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Where Grant County works
Top Grant County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 23%; second, manufacturing, 15%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 15% locally and 8% for West Virginia. 3.3% of Grant County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 12%; under 15 minutes: 32%. No car: 8.9% of Grant County households.
| Industry | Share of Grant County workers | vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.5% | -5.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.7% | +6.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | -0.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.1% | +1.0 pts |
| Other services | 7.0% | +2.7 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Grant County communities by population
2 Census places fall mainly inside Grant County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 2,683 residents, leaving about 76% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Grant County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 2.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg | city | 2,384 | $42,917 | $646 | 8 mi |
| Bayard | town | 299 | $33,462 | $690 | 15 mi |
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Distances run center to center, from Tucker County at 20 miles out to Hampshire County at 34. Richest neighbor: Mineral County, $69,375. Poorest: Hardy County, $49,272. Grant County: $62,361. Some neighbors are in Maryland. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Grant County resident follows West Virginia rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant County | - | $62,361 | $644/mo | 81% |
| Tucker County, WV | 20 mi | $53,358 | $656/mo | 81% |
| Hardy County, WV | 20 mi | $49,272 | $816/mo | 77% |
| Mineral County, WV | 24 mi | $69,375 | $809/mo | 81% |
| Garrett County, MD | 31 mi | $67,688 | $765/mo | 80% |
| Pendleton County, WV | 31 mi | $64,931 | $770/mo | 85% |
| Hampshire County, WV | 34 mi | $63,116 | $720/mo | 83% |
Debt-to-income, Grant County edition
Grant County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,197 gross per month ($62,361 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $644 uses 12%
- Under a 35% cap, $1,819 total minus rent leaves $1,175
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,695 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Grant County's.
Before borrowing in Grant County
Based on the Grant County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Mobile homes in Grant County. At 15% of units, they are a big part of local housing; check whether yours is titled as real or personal property.
- Older households. A 46.4 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Renters under pressure. When 52% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Who lives in Grant County, in numbers
Degree holders: 14% of adults over 25. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Grant County | vs West Virginia | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.0% | -10.2 pts | -8.2 pts |
| Median age | 46.4 | +3.7 yrs | +4.9 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 13.3% | -3.5 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | -2.1 pts | -1.1 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.6% | -1.5 pts | -3.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.9% | +0.8 pts | +3.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.4% | -0.3 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 9.1% | +0.1 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Minutes to work | Grant County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.3% |
| 60+ min | 7.7% |
Checklist for Grant County applicants
Quick steps for Grant 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.
- A West Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
West Virginia rules that apply in Grant County
Grant County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide.
Other West Virginia guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Grant County rank on income in West Virginia?
11th of 55, with a median of $62,361. The state median is $59,608.
Can a Grant County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $644 median rent and $5,197 median monthly income, rent alone uses 12%; add other debts before a new payment.
How many towns are in Grant County?
The Census Bureau counts 2 places mainly in the county, led by Petersburg, Bayard.
Can Grant 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.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Grant County?
Look it up with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.