1st Advantage MortgageAbout 78% of Marshall County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $59,169. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Marshall County offer.
On this page
- A quick profile of Marshall County
- How much Marshall County households make
- Marshall County's most unusual numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in Marshall County
- Labor force snapshot: Marshall County
- Towns and communities in Marshall County
- Counties near Marshall County
- What a median Marshall County budget can carry
- Age, degrees and coverage in Marshall County
- Before borrowing in Marshall County
- Who licenses lenders for Marshall County residents
- A Marshall County borrower's checklist
- Beyond Marshall County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Marshall County
Roughly 29,865 residents live in Marshall County, West Virginia, 18th by population among the state's 55 counties and county equivalents. Marshall County spans 305 square miles; with 29,865 people, that is 97.8 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Wheeling, WV-OH metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Moundsville is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 7,869 people (26% of the county total).
How much Marshall County households make
Median household income in Marshall County: $59,169. In the state ranking that is 17th of 55.
| Band | Marshall County | Compared with West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.7% | +1.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.1% | -0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.4% | +1.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -2.0 pts |
Six-figure households (26%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (32%) in Marshall County. Marshall County counts about 5,024 residents below the poverty line, 16.8% of the population. A household earning below the $59,169 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Marshall County's most unusual numbers
Out of every West Virginia county, Marshall County is most unusual on these measures.
- On the share of mobile homes, Marshall County sits near the bottom of West Virginia at 8.8%, 10th lowest of 55. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Marshall County sits near the bottom of West Virginia at 12%, 10th lowest of 55. Less driving means fewer surprise repair bills.
- Few West Virginia counties match Marshall County on the ACS unemployment rate: 4.3% here, 5.4% for the state, ranking 11th lowest of 55. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Marshall County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $837 in Marshall County versus $872 statewide. By the Census definition, 52% of Marshall County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $149,800, or 2.5 years of median income. In Marshall County, 78% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Median construction year: 1961. Against the median U.S. county, Marshall County rent is 5% below.
| Housing | Marshall County | West Virginia statewide | Marshall County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 8.8% | 13.6% | -4.8 pts |
| Owners | 78% | 75% | +3.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 20% | -3.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 49% | +2.7 pts |
| Median home value | $149,800 | $162,600 | 8% lower |
| Median gross rent | $837/mo | $872/mo | 4% lower |
| Vacant units | 15% | 15% | -0.3 pts |
At a $149,800 median value, many Marshall County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured). When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Labor force snapshot: Marshall County
The biggest employer of Marshall County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by retail trade (14%). Retail trade stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 12% statewide. Unemployment in Marshall County, ACS five-year: 4.3%; West Virginia: 5.4%. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 12%; under 15 minutes: 29%. Only 7.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Marshall County | Gap to West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.7% | -2.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.3% | +2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +1.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.3% | +1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.3% | -0.8 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Marshall County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Towns and communities in Marshall County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Marshall County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 12,995 people, so roughly 56% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $82,308 at the median in Glen Dale, $40,446 in McMechen. Live in one of these Marshall County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moundsville | city | 7,869 | $49,048 | $834 | 6 mi |
| McMechen | city | 1,826 | $40,446 | $625 | 10 mi |
| Glen Dale | city | 1,461 | $82,308 | $839 | 8 mi |
| Benwood | city | 1,230 | $43,636 | $677 | 11 mi |
| Cameron | city | 609 | $43,750 | $439 | 6 mi |
Counties near Marshall County
Distances run center to center, from Ohio County at 17 miles out to Tyler County at 29. Richest neighbor: Greene County, $68,041. Poorest: Wetzel County, $56,836. Marshall County: $59,169. Some neighbors are in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Marshall County resident follows West Virginia rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall County | - | $59,169 | $837/mo | 78% |
| Ohio County, WV | 17 mi | $57,094 | $821/mo | 66% |
| Wetzel County, WV | 18 mi | $56,836 | $688/mo | 83% |
| Belmont County, OH | 19 mi | $57,017 | $793/mo | 74% |
| Greene County, PA | 24 mi | $68,041 | $789/mo | 77% |
| Monroe County, OH | 24 mi | $60,134 | $672/mo | 80% |
| Tyler County, WV | 29 mi | $63,693 | $748/mo | 84% |
What a median Marshall County budget can carry
Marshall County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $4,931 a month: gross income for a household at the Marshall County median
- Housing at the median rent of $837 uses 17%
- Under a 35% cap, $1,726 total minus rent leaves $889
- Under a 45% cap, $2,219 total minus rent leaves $1,382
Homeowners in Marshall County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Age, degrees and coverage in Marshall County
20% of Marshall County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Marshall County | vs West Virginia | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.3 | +3.6 yrs | +4.8 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.5% | -3.6 pts | -1.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.5% | -3.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.6% | -0.4 pts | -2.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.9% | -0.1 pts | +2.5 pts |
| Work from home | 5.3% | -3.8 pts | -3.4 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.8% | +0.1 pts | +3.6 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | -1.1 pts | -0.1 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Marshall County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 6.1% |
Before borrowing in Marshall County
Marshall County-specific points to check:
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.3, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- 52% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Marshall County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Who licenses lenders for Marshall County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Marshall County resident can confirm its license with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the West Virginia state guide for the statewide picture.
A Marshall County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Marshall County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A West Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Beyond Marshall County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is $59,169 a good income in Marshall County?
It is the county median, so half of Marshall County households earn more and half less; 26% earn $100,000 or more.
How much is rent in Marshall County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $837 a month; 52% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Can Marshall County owners borrow against a $149,800 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
What are the biggest places in Marshall County?
By population: Moundsville, McMechen, Glen Dale, Benwood, Cameron. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Are Marshall 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.