1st Advantage MortgageIn Lewis County, West Virginia, the typical household earns $56,477 a year and the typical rent is $730. 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
- Lewis County by the numbers
- The Lewis County job picture
- What Lewis County households earn
- Renting and owning in Lewis County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Lewis County
- Lewis County next to its neighbors
- What a median Lewis County budget can carry
- Lewis County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Lewis County
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in West Virginia
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Lewis County by the numbers
Roughly 16,740 residents live in Lewis County, West Virginia, 34th by population among the state's 55 counties and county equivalents. It covers 387 square miles of land, or about 43 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Lewis County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Weston, with about 3,840 residents, or 23% of the county.
The Lewis County job picture
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 18%. Retail trade stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 12% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 8.6% in Lewis County. 15% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Households without a car make up 10.2% of the total (8.0% statewide).
| Sector | Lewis County | Compared with West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.6% | -4.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 17.8% | +5.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | -0.5 pts |
| Public administration | 7.6% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.5% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -1.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What Lewis County households earn
Half of Lewis County households take in less than $56,477 a year and half take in more, 5% below the West Virginia median of $59,608.
| Income band | Share in Lewis County | Difference from West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.6% | +3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.8% | -3.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.0% | -0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | +0.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Lewis County households make $100,000 or more, and 34% make less than $35,000. Census counts 16.1% of Lewis County residents in poverty, against 16.7% across West Virginia. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.491 here. For a borrower in Lewis 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.
Renting and owning in Lewis County
A typical Lewis County rental runs $730 a month including utilities, which is 16% below West Virginia. By the Census definition, 42% of Lewis County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $151,800, a typical Lewis County house costs 2.7 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 72%.
| Lewis County | West Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $730/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $151,800 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 20% | 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).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Lewis County
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Lewis County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 4,320 people, so roughly 74% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 2 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weston | city | 3,840 | $52,070 | $770 | 4 mi |
| Jane Lew | town | 480 | $56,063 | $764 | 10 mi |
Lewis County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Lewis County's, from 15 to 29 miles away. Income ranges from $47,981 in Gilmer County to $60,377 in Harrison County; 2 of these neighbors top Lewis County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis County | - | $56,477 | $730/mo | 72% |
| Upshur County, WV | 15 mi | $54,338 | $886/mo | 81% |
| Gilmer County, WV | 20 mi | $47,981 | $750/mo | 76% |
| Harrison County, WV | 21 mi | $60,377 | $879/mo | 74% |
| Doddridge County, WV | 22 mi | $57,401 | $866/mo | 89% |
| Braxton County, WV | 24 mi | $50,331 | $606/mo | 77% |
| Barbour County, WV | 29 mi | $51,394 | $803/mo | 78% |
What a median Lewis County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Lewis County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Lewis County: $4,706
- 16% goes to median rent ($730)
- $917: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,388 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $730, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Lewis County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 6.5%, against 6.0% for West Virginia.
| Indicator | Lewis County | All of West Virginia | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.9% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.5% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.5% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.2% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.5% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.1% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.6% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.2% |
| 60+ min | 9.5% |
Before borrowing in Lewis County
Based on the Lewis County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 20% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Lewis County-area credit union.
- A West Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Checking a lender's license in West Virginia
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Lewis County, check the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The West Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
The West Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lewis County earn?
The median is $56,477; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 34% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Lewis County?
$730 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
I live in a small Lewis County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Weston, Jane Lew.
Will a Lewis 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.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Lewis County?
Start with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.