1st Advantage MortgageThe median Jefferson County household earns $98,806, and 9% of residents live below the poverty line. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Jefferson County offer.
On this page
- 59,260 residents: Jefferson County basics
- Jefferson County against other West Virginia counties
- How Jefferson County residents earn a living
- Jefferson County income bands
- Rent, home values and ownership in Jefferson County
- Jefferson County next to its neighbors
- The communities that make up Jefferson County
- Who lives in Jefferson County, in numbers
- $8,234 a month: the Jefferson County median budget
- Before borrowing in Jefferson County
- Steps before you apply in Jefferson County
- Lender oversight for Jefferson County
- Other West Virginia guides
- Frequently asked questions
59,260 residents: Jefferson County basics
Roughly 59,260 residents live in Jefferson County, West Virginia, 8th by population among the state's 55 counties and county equivalents. Its 209 square miles average 283 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area. Charles Town is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 7,337 people (12% of the county total).
Jefferson County against other West Virginia counties
Where Jefferson County lands at the extremes of West Virginia's county rankings:
- Few West Virginia counties match Jefferson County on median home value: $350,800 here, $162,600 for the state, ranking the highest of 55. High values mean many owners could borrow against equity; weigh that risk carefully.
- On the share of workers who work from home, Jefferson County sits near the top of West Virginia at 17.3%, the highest of 55. Remote and self-employed income may need tax returns as proof.
- Jefferson County ranks the highest of 55 West Virginia counties for median household income: $98,806, against $59,608 statewide. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
How Jefferson County residents earn a living
Top Jefferson County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 22%; second, professional and administrative services, 15%. Compared with West Virginia, the county leans toward professional and administrative services (15% against 8%). Unemployment in Jefferson County, ACS five-year: 3.9%; West Virginia: 5.4%. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 39%; under 15 minutes: 20%. No car: 5.9% of Jefferson County households.
| Where residents work | Jefferson County | Difference from West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.7% | -6.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 15.3% | +7.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -1.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.2% | +2.1 pts |
| Public administration | 9.5% | +2.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +1.3 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Jefferson County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Jefferson County income bands
The median household income in Jefferson County is $98,806; statewide it is $59,608, so Jefferson County runs 66% above West Virginia as a whole. No county in West Virginia posts a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Jefferson County | Difference from West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 16.3% | -14.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.2% | -8.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.5% | +13.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 15.0% | +9.1 pts |
16% under $35,000 and 49% at $100,000 or more: that is the Jefferson County income split. Poverty rate, Jefferson County: 8.7%; West Virginia: 16.7%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.423 (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 Jefferson County
A typical Jefferson County rental runs $1,108 a month including utilities, which is 27% above West Virginia. About 4 in 10 Jefferson County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Jefferson County homes are worth $350,800 at the median, a 3.6-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 80%. Median construction year: 1991.
| Cost | Jefferson County | West Virginia figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,108/mo | $872/mo | 27% higher |
| Median home value | $350,800 | $162,600 | 116% higher |
| Owners | 80% | 75% | +5.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | -7.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 20% | +2.2 pts |
| Vacant units | 8% | 15% | -7.5 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).
Jefferson County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (13 to 23 miles). Jefferson County's $98,806 median trails 2 of the six and beats 4; the range runs $63,974 (Winchester city) to $181,765 (Loudoun County). The list crosses into Maryland, Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $98,806 | $1,108/mo | 80% |
| Berkeley County, WV | 13 mi | $80,815 | $1,233/mo | 76% |
| Clarke County, VA | 15 mi | $117,111 | $1,371/mo | 81% |
| Winchester city, VA | 19 mi | $63,974 | $1,315/mo | 44% |
| Loudoun County, VA | 20 mi | $181,765 | $2,386/mo | 78% |
| Washington County, MD | 21 mi | $77,747 | $1,147/mo | 67% |
| Frederick County, VA | 23 mi | $97,606 | $1,507/mo | 79% |
The communities that make up Jefferson County
21,176 of Jefferson County's 59,260 residents live in its 8 Census places (36%); the 8 largest are listed. Shenandoah Junction has the highest median household income on the list ($94,821) and Shepherdstown the lowest ($63,750), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Charles Town ($1,115) and steepest in Ranson corporation ($1,536). None of the 8 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Town | city | 7,337 | $89,263 | $1,115 | 3 mi |
| Ranson corporation | place | 5,729 | $89,523 | $1,536 | 1 mi |
| Shannondale | CDP | 3,465 | $80,000 | $1,269 | 7 mi |
| Shepherdstown | town | 1,460 | $63,750 | $1,201 | 9 mi |
| Bolivar | town | 1,215 | $83,068 | $1,505 | 6 mi |
| Shenandoah Junction | CDP | 1,141 | $94,821 | $1,123 | 3 mi |
| Middleway | CDP | 479 | $123,917 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Harpers Ferry | town | 350 | $116,587 | $1,859 | 7 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Who lives in Jefferson County, in numbers
College graduates make up 34% of the adult population. Uninsured, Jefferson County: 6.0%; West Virginia: 6.0%.
| Residents | Jefferson County | Difference from West Virginia | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.9% | +9.7 pts | +11.7 pts |
| Work from home | 17.3% | +8.3 pts | +8.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | -8.0 pts | -4.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | -2.2 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Median age | 41.0 | -1.7 yrs | -0.5 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | -1.6 pts | -0.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.9% | -0.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.0% | 0.0 pts | -1.9 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.9% |
| 60+ min | 25.7% |
$8,234 a month: the Jefferson County median budget
Here is the Jefferson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $8,234 gross per month ($98,806 / 12)
- 13% goes to median rent ($1,108)
- Under a 43% cap, $3,541 total minus rent leaves $2,433
Two-income households and single earners in Jefferson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Jefferson County
- Vehicle repairs. 39% of Jefferson County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Strong-credit shopping. Many Jefferson County households (49%) earn six figures; prequalify with several lenders at once.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Steps before you apply in Jefferson County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Jefferson County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the West Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Lender oversight for Jefferson County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Jefferson County, check the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. If a Jefferson County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop.
Other West Virginia guides
No city in Jefferson County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Jefferson County rank on income in West Virginia?
1st of 55, with a median of $98,806. The state median is $59,608.
How much is rent in Jefferson County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,108 a month; 41% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Charles Town?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Jefferson County, such as Ranson corporation, Shannondale, Shepherdstown.
Is the fit check different in Jefferson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Jefferson County?
Look it up with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.