1st Advantage MortgageJackson County households have a median income of $58,845 and median rent of $716 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Jackson County
- Jackson County housing compared with West Virginia
- How much Jackson County households make
- Work, industries and travel time in Jackson County
- Places inside Jackson County
- Jackson County next to its neighbors
- Jackson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Jackson County
- Room for a loan payment in Jackson County
- A Jackson County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Jackson County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Jackson County
Roughly 27,705 residents live in Jackson County, West Virginia, 20th by population among the state's 55 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 464 square miles, that is close to 60 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jackson County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (2 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Ravenswood, with about 3,830 residents, or 14% of the county.
Jackson County housing compared with West Virginia
A typical Jackson County rental runs $716 a month including utilities, which is 18% below West Virginia. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 47% of renter households here. With a median value of $157,200, a typical Jackson County house costs 2.7 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 79%. The median home was built in 1979, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Jackson County | West Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $716/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $157,200 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 20% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 15% | n/a |
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).
How much Jackson County households make
Jackson County households have a median income of $58,845 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 19th of 55 in West Virginia.
| Households earning | Jackson County | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.4% | -1.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.2% | +2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.0% | -0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.4% | -1.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Jackson County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. Census counts 18.5% of Jackson County residents in poverty, against 16.7% across West Virginia. For a borrower in Jackson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Work, industries and travel time in Jackson County
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 14%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 14% locally and 8% for West Virginia. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 23% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 11.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Jackson County workers | vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.2% | +0.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.1% | +6.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -1.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | +0.3 pts |
| Public administration | 8.3% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.6% | -1.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Places inside Jackson County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Jackson County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 7,211 residents, leaving about 74% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Jackson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravenswood | city | 3,830 | $34,241 | $714 | 10 mi |
| Ripley | city | 3,071 | $41,518 | $613 | 2 mi |
| Cottageville | CDP | 310 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
Jackson County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Roane County at 19 miles out to Wood County at 27. Income ranges from $45,778 in Roane County to $79,527 in Putnam County; 1 of these neighbors top Jackson County's median. Some neighbors are in Ohio. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Jackson County resident follows West Virginia rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $58,845 | $716/mo | 79% |
| Roane County, WV | 19 mi | $45,778 | $614/mo | 79% |
| Mason County, WV | 19 mi | $49,761 | $671/mo | 82% |
| Wirt County, WV | 20 mi | $49,867 | $558/mo | 88% |
| Putnam County, WV | 26 mi | $79,527 | $952/mo | 82% |
| Meigs County, OH | 26 mi | $46,873 | $722/mo | 75% |
| Wood County, WV | 27 mi | $57,810 | $822/mo | 75% |
Jackson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.2%, against 6.0% for West Virginia.
| Jackson County | West Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.4 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.6% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.4% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.2% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.2% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.5% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.5% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.1% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Jackson County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.0% |
| 60+ min | 9.4% |
Before borrowing in Jackson County
Where the Jackson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Long drives. With 23% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Jackson County budgets.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 20% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Assistance before credit. With a 18% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Jackson County loan.
- Renters under pressure. When 47% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Room for a loan payment in Jackson County
How much room does a median Jackson 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, Jackson County: $4,904
- 15% goes to median rent ($716)
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,049 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Jackson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
A Jackson County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Jackson County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Jackson County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in West Virginia.
- Ask a Jackson County credit union about member loans.
Who licenses lenders for Jackson County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Jackson County resident can confirm its license with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on West Virginia: West Virginia personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the West Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jackson County earn?
The median is $58,845; 25% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Jackson County rent compare with West Virginia?
$716 locally versus $872 for the state, 18% below.
What are the biggest places in Jackson County?
By population: Ravenswood, Ripley, Cottageville. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Will a Jackson County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming West Virginia as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Is there a Jackson County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In West Virginia it is the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions.