1st Advantage MortgageIn Harrison County, West Virginia, the typical household earns $60,377 a year and the typical rent is $879. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in West Virginia before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Harrison County
- How Harrison County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Harrison County
- Housing costs in Harrison County
- Harrison County towns compared
- Counties near Harrison County
- Debt-to-income at Harrison County's medians
- What the numbers mean for Harrison County borrowers
- More Harrison County figures
- Four steps for Harrison County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Harrison County
- More guides for Harrison County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Harrison County
Harrison County is home to about 64,984 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 7th most populous of 55 county-level areas in West Virginia. It covers 416 square miles of land, or about 156 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Harrison County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Clarksburg is the biggest of its 19 Census places, at roughly 15,549 people (24% of the county total).
How Harrison County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Harrison County residents work in education and health care and 13% in public administration. Compared with West Virginia, the county leans toward public administration (13% against 7%). The survey's unemployment rate for Harrison County averages 4.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.4%). Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Harrison County | Gap to West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.3% | -0.8 pts |
| Public administration | 12.5% | +5.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.2% | -0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.9% | -0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.5% | -1.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Paychecks and income spread in Harrison County
Harrison County households have a median income of $60,377 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 16th of 55 in West Virginia.
| Households earning | Harrison County | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.7% | -1.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.4% | +1.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | +0.7 pts |
Some 29% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 29% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 14.4% of Harrison County residents in poverty, against 16.7% across West Virginia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.464 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Harrison County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Harrison County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $879 in Harrison County versus $872 statewide. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. With a median value of $166,200, a typical Harrison County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. 74% of Harrison County households own their home and 26% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1965.
| Cost | Harrison County | West Virginia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $879/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $166,200 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 20% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 15% | n/a |
Because most Harrison County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Harrison County towns compared
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 19 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 60% of Harrison County residents live in one of the 19. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $24,455 in Despard to $100,022 in Bridgeport. Rent is cheapest in Salem ($525) and steepest in Bridgeport ($1,105). No Harrison County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 19.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksburg | city | 15,549 | $47,386 | $790 | 1 mi |
| Bridgeport | city | 9,252 | $100,022 | $1,105 | 8 mi |
| Shinnston | city | 2,352 | $69,844 | $972 | 9 mi |
| Stonewood | city | 2,212 | $54,792 | $749 | 5 mi |
| Nutter Fort | town | 2,075 | $68,068 | $897 | 3 mi |
| Salem | city | 1,629 | $38,529 | $525 | 10 mi |
| Enterprise | CDP | 1,087 | $63,636 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Despard | CDP | 972 | $24,455 | $654 | 4 mi |
| Lumberport | town | 703 | $47,917 | n/a | 7 mi |
| East View | CDP | 604 | $54,782 | $676 | 4 mi |
| West Milford | town | 591 | $73,846 | $644 | 5 mi |
| Anmoore | town | 522 | $27,500 | $813 | 5 mi |
| Lost Creek | town | 302 | $78,571 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Wallace | CDP | 277 | $33,403 | n/a | 10 mi |
Counties near Harrison County
Distances run center to center, from Doddridge County at 17 miles out to Wetzel County at 26. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Harrison County; Marion County is highest at $67,370 and Barbour County lowest at $51,394.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison County | - | $60,377 | $879/mo | 74% |
| Doddridge County, WV | 17 mi | $57,401 | $866/mo | 89% |
| Marion County, WV | 17 mi | $67,370 | $932/mo | 77% |
| Taylor County, WV | 19 mi | $57,795 | $835/mo | 84% |
| Lewis County, WV | 21 mi | $56,477 | $730/mo | 72% |
| Barbour County, WV | 23 mi | $51,394 | $803/mo | 78% |
| Wetzel County, WV | 26 mi | $56,836 | $688/mo | 83% |
Debt-to-income at Harrison County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Harrison County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,031 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $879, takes 17% of that
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,134 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
What the numbers mean for Harrison County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Harrison County borrowers.
- Tight rental budgets. With 50% of Harrison County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
More Harrison County figures
Degree holders: 27% of adults over 25. About 8% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Harrison County | West Virginia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.2% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.2% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.5% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.5% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.3% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 46.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.3% |
| 60+ min | 5.3% |
Four steps for Harrison County borrowers
Quick steps for Harrison County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Lender oversight for Harrison County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Harrison County, check the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The West Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Harrison County
The West Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Harrison County earn?
The median is $60,377; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Harrison County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $879 a month; 50% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Harrison County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Harrison County?
By population: Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Shinnston, Stonewood, Nutter Fort. The county has 19 Census places in all.
Are Harrison County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.