1st Advantage MortgageIn Hardy County, West Virginia, the typical household earns $49,272 a year and the typical rent is $816. 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
- First look: Hardy County, WV
- Housing costs in Hardy County
- Jobs and commutes in Hardy County
- Hardy County's most unusual numbers
- Household income in Hardy County
- Towns and communities in Hardy County
- Hardy County next to its neighbors
- A Hardy County household budget, worked through
- What the numbers mean for Hardy County borrowers
- Hardy County demographics against West Virginia
- Checklist for Hardy County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Hardy County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Hardy County, WV
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Hardy County's population at 14,243; only 36 of West Virginia's 55 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 582 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 24 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 2 Census places inside Hardy County, Moorefield leads by population with about 2,525; 2 of the 2 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Hardy County
Hardy County rent at the median: $816 a month, utilities in ($872 in West Virginia). About 3 in 10 Hardy County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Home values center on $166,300, or 3.4 years of median income. 77% of Hardy County households own their home and 23% rent. Median construction year: 1984. Against the median U.S. county, Hardy County rent is 7% below.
| Housing | Hardy County | West Virginia statewide | Hardy County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 49% | -18.9 pts |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 20% | +7.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 18.7% | 13.6% | +5.1 pts |
| Owners | 77% | 75% | +2.5 pts |
| Median gross rent | $816/mo | $872/mo | 6% lower |
| Median home value | $166,300 | $162,600 | 2% higher |
In an owner-heavy county like Hardy County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Jobs and commutes in Hardy County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Hardy County residents work in manufacturing and 18% in education and health care. Hardy County over-indexes on manufacturing: 22% versus 8% in West Virginia. Unemployment in Hardy County, ACS five-year: 7.3%; West Virginia: 5.4%. 37% of Hardy County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 27% need 45 or more. Households without a car make up 8.5% of the total (8.0% statewide).
| Sector | Hardy County | Compared with West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 21.8% | +13.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.3% | -9.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +1.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.0% | +3.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.5% | -1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.0% | -0.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Hardy County's most unusual numbers
Where Hardy County lands at the extremes of West Virginia's county rankings:
- Few West Virginia counties match Hardy County on the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 30% here, 49% for the state, ranking 3rd lowest of 55. Rents are manageable for most, which can leave space for savings.
- Hardy County ranks 8th highest of 55 West Virginia counties for the housing vacancy rate: 28%, against 15% statewide. Many empty units can point to seasonal housing.
- The uninsured rate: 7.8% in Hardy County. Only 9 of 55 West Virginia counties are higher. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
Household income in Hardy County
Hardy County households have a median income of $49,272 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 43rd of 55 in West Virginia.
| Band | Hardy County | Compared with West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.8% | +0.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.7% | +6.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.8% | -4.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -2.2 pts |
On the low end, 31% of Hardy County households report under $35,000; at the top, 20% report $100,000-plus. 17.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.7%). Gini index for Hardy County: 0.430. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Hardy County median.
Towns and communities in Hardy County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Hardy County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 2,903 residents, leaving about 80% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorefield | town | 2,525 | $49,063 | $823 | 8 mi |
| Wardensville | town | 378 | $33,750 | $492 | 14 mi |
Hardy County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (18 to 34 miles). All of the six report a higher median household income than Hardy County; Frederick County is highest at $97,606 and Page County lowest at $57,037. The list crosses into Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardy County | - | $49,272 | $816/mo | 77% |
| Shenandoah County, VA | 18 mi | $67,191 | $984/mo | 73% |
| Grant County, WV | 20 mi | $62,361 | $644/mo | 81% |
| Hampshire County, WV | 24 mi | $63,116 | $720/mo | 83% |
| Mineral County, WV | 28 mi | $69,375 | $809/mo | 81% |
| Page County, VA | 33 mi | $57,037 | $879/mo | 72% |
| Frederick County, VA | 34 mi | $97,606 | $1,507/mo | 79% |
A Hardy County household budget, worked through
Hardy County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,106 before taxes
- Median rent: $816, or 20 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $662 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $950 left for all other debt payments
A household below the $49,272 median has less room than this, often none.
What the numbers mean for Hardy County borrowers
A few patterns in the Hardy County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Car trouble. For Hardy County drivers (27% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 19% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.7, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
Hardy County demographics against West Virginia
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. Health coverage gaps: 7.8% of Hardy County residents are uninsured.
| Indicator | Hardy County | +/- West Virginia | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7 | +4.0 yrs | +5.2 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.7% | -8.5 pts | -6.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 15.1% | +4.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.8% | +1.8 pts | 0.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.5% | +0.4 pts | +3.1 pts |
| Work from home | 9.1% | +0.1 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 17.7% | +1.0 pts | +4.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.3% | +1.9 pts | +2.9 pts |
| Commute length | Hardy County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.4% |
| 60+ min | 17.2% |
Checklist for Hardy County applicants
Quick steps for Hardy County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Hardy County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Hardy County
Hardy County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on West Virginia: West Virginia personal loans.
Related local guides
Next step up from Hardy County:
Frequently asked questions
Is $49,272 a good income in Hardy County?
It is the county median, so half of Hardy County households earn more and half less; 20% earn $100,000 or more.
How much is rent in Hardy County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $816 a month; 30% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Hardy County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Moorefield, Wardensville.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Hardy County or elsewhere in West Virginia, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Hardy County residents?
The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in West Virginia; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.