1st Advantage Mortgage19% of Greenbrier County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $48,218 (ACS 2020-24). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's West Virginia license first.
On this page
- Greenbrier County at a glance
- What Greenbrier County households earn
- Where Greenbrier County differs from the rest of West Virginia
- Employment and commuting in Greenbrier County
- Where Greenbrier County households live
- How Greenbrier County compares with nearby counties
- Greenbrier County towns compared
- More Greenbrier County figures
- What the numbers mean for Greenbrier County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Greenbrier County's medians
- Checking a lender's license in West Virginia
- Steps before you apply in Greenbrier County
- More guides for Greenbrier County
- Frequently asked questions
Greenbrier County at a glance
Greenbrier County is home to about 32,386 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 16th most populous of 55 county-level areas in West Virginia. Density: about 31.8 residents per square mile across 1,020 square miles of land. No metropolitan area includes Greenbrier County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Lewisburg (3,835 people) heads the county's list of 8 Census places, 7 incorporated and 1 census-designated.
What Greenbrier County households earn
$48,218 is the median household income for Greenbrier County, set against $59,608 for West Virginia. That places it 45th among West Virginia's 55 county-level areas.
| Band | Greenbrier County | Compared with West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.6% | +4.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.3% | +3.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.8% | -5.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -2.7 pts |
On the low end, 35% of Greenbrier County households report under $35,000; at the top, 19% report $100,000-plus. The poverty rate is 21.8%, 5 points higher than the state's 16.7%. A household earning below the $48,218 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Where Greenbrier County differs from the rest of West Virginia
- Greenbrier County ranks 5th highest of 55 West Virginia counties for the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 57%, against 49% statewide. Rent pressure leaves little room; stress-test any payment.
- Greenbrier County ranks 7th lowest of 55 West Virginia counties for homeownership: 73%, against 75% statewide. Many renters means few borrowers have home equity to fall back on.
- Few West Virginia counties match Greenbrier County on households without a vehicle: 5.9% here, 8.0% for the state, ranking 9th lowest of 55. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
Employment and commuting in Greenbrier County
By the Census industry count, 28% of employed Greenbrier County residents work in education and health care and 16% in arts, lodging and food service. Compared with West Virginia, the county leans toward arts, lodging and food service (16% against 8%). Unemployment in Greenbrier County, ACS five-year: 4.2%; West Virginia: 5.4%. Long commutes are the exception here: 13% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 5.9% of the total (8.0% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Greenbrier County | Gap to West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.7% | -0.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 16.2% | +8.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -1.7 pts |
| Construction | 9.5% | +2.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.2% | -0.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.6% | -0.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Where Greenbrier County households live
Renters in Greenbrier County pay a median of $868 a month, in line with West Virginia's $872. About 6 in 10 Greenbrier County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Median value $149,000; median income $48,218; ratio 3.1. Homeowners 73%, renters 27%. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills. Against the median U.S. county, Greenbrier County rent is about level with.
| Housing | Greenbrier County | West Virginia statewide | Greenbrier County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $868/mo | $872/mo | level |
| Median home value | $149,000 | $162,600 | 8% lower |
| Owners | 73% | 75% | -1.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 57% | 49% | +8.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 20% | +8.8 pts |
| Mobile homes | 13.3% | 13.6% | -0.3 pts |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). 57% of Greenbrier County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
How Greenbrier County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 26 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Greenbrier County's $48,218 median trails 4 of the six and beats 2; the range runs $40,699 (Summers County) to $69,057 (Craig County). Some neighbors are in Virginia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Greenbrier County resident follows West Virginia rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenbrier County | - | $48,218 | $868/mo | 73% |
| Alleghany County, VA | 26 mi | $56,188 | $765/mo | 82% |
| Monroe County, WV | 26 mi | $56,750 | $690/mo | 87% |
| Covington city, VA | 27 mi | $41,944 | $794/mo | 70% |
| Summers County, WV | 29 mi | $40,699 | $915/mo | 81% |
| Nicholas County, WV | 32 mi | $54,639 | $686/mo | 82% |
| Craig County, VA | 33 mi | $69,057 | $713/mo | 84% |
Greenbrier County towns compared
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Greenbrier County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 11,885 people, so roughly 63% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $49,560 at the median in Lewisburg, $24,411 in Fairlea. Rent is cheapest in Rupert ($634) and steepest in Fairlea ($957). From Lewisburg to the smallest crossroads, Greenbrier County residents share this guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisburg | city | 3,835 | $49,560 | $893 | 8 mi |
| White Sulphur Springs | city | 2,549 | $46,178 | $844 | 12 mi |
| Rainelle | town | 1,458 | $35,625 | $663 | 18 mi |
| Ronceverte | city | 1,419 | $41,889 | $858 | 12 mi |
| Fairlea | CDP | 1,312 | $24,411 | $957 | 10 mi |
| Rupert | town | 909 | $28,194 | $634 | 13 mi |
| Quinwood | town | 221 | $36,250 | $782 | 17 mi |
| Falling Spring | town | 182 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
More Greenbrier County figures
In Greenbrier County, 22% of adults have at least a four-year degree (24% in West Virginia). Health coverage gaps: 6.3% of Greenbrier County residents are uninsured.
| Greenbrier County | vs West Virginia | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 21.8% | +5.1 pts | +8.6 pts |
| Median age | 46.8 | +4.1 yrs | +5.3 yrs |
| Work from home | 5.5% | -3.6 pts | -3.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | -2.2 pts | +0.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 12.7% | +2.0 pts | n/a |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.2% | -2.0 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | -1.3 pts | -0.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.3% | +0.3 pts | -1.5 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.6% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
What the numbers mean for Greenbrier County borrowers
A few patterns in the Greenbrier County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Manufactured housing (13%). Greenbrier County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Fixed incomes. Greenbrier County's median age is 46.8. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- 22% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- 57% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Debt-to-income at Greenbrier County's medians
How much room does a median Greenbrier County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Greenbrier County: $4,018
- Median rent: $868, or 22 cents of every gross dollar
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $538 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 45% cap, $1,808 total minus rent leaves $940
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Greenbrier County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Checking a lender's license in West Virginia
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Greenbrier County, check the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: West Virginia guide.
Steps before you apply in Greenbrier County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A West Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Greenbrier County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Greenbrier County household make?
About $48,218 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 19% below the West Virginia median.
What do renters pay in Greenbrier County?
$868 a month at the median, about 22% of median household income.
Does this page cover Lewisburg?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Greenbrier County, such as White Sulphur Springs, Rainelle, Ronceverte.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Greenbrier County or elsewhere in West Virginia, the same rules apply.
What agency protects Greenbrier County borrowers?
The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions at the state level and the CFPB federally.