1st Advantage MortgageIn Mineral County, West Virginia, the typical household earns $69,375 a year and the typical rent is $809. 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
- Mineral County at a glance
- Household income in Mineral County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Mineral County
- Employment and commuting in Mineral County
- Mineral County and the counties next door
- Towns and communities in Mineral County
- Budget math at the Mineral County median
- People and households in Mineral County
- Borrowing situations common in Mineral County
- Lender oversight for Mineral County
- Checklist for Mineral County applicants
- More guides for Mineral County
- Frequently asked questions
Mineral County at a glance
Mineral County is home to about 26,854 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 22nd most populous of 55 county-level areas in West Virginia. Land area is 328 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 82 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Mineral County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Keyser is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 4,857 people (18% of the county total).
Household income in Mineral County
Half of Mineral County households take in less than $69,375 a year and half take in more, 16% above the West Virginia median of $59,608. In the state ranking that is 5th of 55.
| Households earning | Mineral County | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.4% | -4.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | +0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.1% | +5.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -1.1 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 14.0%, 3 points lower than the state's 16.7%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Mineral County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Mineral County
Renters in Mineral County pay a median of $809 a month, 7% below the West Virginia figure of $872. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. Home values center on $180,400, or 2.6 years of median income. The ownership rate is 81%. Median construction year: 1977.
| Mineral County | West Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $809/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $180,400 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 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).
Employment and commuting in Mineral County
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Mineral County residents work in education and health care and 16% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 16% locally and 8% for West Virginia. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.6% in Mineral County. Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Mineral County share | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.6% | -2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.6% | +7.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | -0.2 pts |
| Public administration | 9.6% | +2.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.5% | +0.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.2% | -1.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Mineral County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Mineral County's, from 19 to 38 miles away. Garrett County leads the group on income ($67,688), Hardy County trails ($49,272), and Mineral County out-earns 6 of the six. The list crosses into Maryland, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral County | - | $69,375 | $809/mo | 81% |
| Hampshire County, WV | 19 mi | $63,116 | $720/mo | 83% |
| Garrett County, MD | 20 mi | $67,688 | $765/mo | 80% |
| Allegany County, MD | 20 mi | $59,603 | $805/mo | 71% |
| Grant County, WV | 24 mi | $62,361 | $644/mo | 81% |
| Hardy County, WV | 28 mi | $49,272 | $816/mo | 77% |
| Tucker County, WV | 38 mi | $53,358 | $656/mo | 81% |
Towns and communities in Mineral County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Mineral County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 9,085 residents, leaving about 66% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Wiley Ford has the highest median household income on the list ($90,775) and Piedmont the lowest ($42,375), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Piedmont ($478) and steepest in Carpendale ($697). No Mineral County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keyser | city | 4,857 | $46,955 | $648 | 3 mi |
| Fort Ashby | CDP | 1,283 | $44,538 | $633 | 12 mi |
| Carpendale | town | 1,035 | $66,027 | $697 | 18 mi |
| Piedmont | town | 735 | $42,375 | $478 | 7 mi |
| Wiley Ford | CDP | 630 | $90,775 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Ridgeley | town | 239 | $41,477 | $783 | 19 mi |
| Elk Garden | town | 212 | $61,250 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Burlington | CDP | 94 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Budget math at the Mineral County median
How much room does a median Mineral County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,781 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $809, takes 14% of that
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,677 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
People and households in Mineral County
24% of Mineral County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Mineral County | All of West Virginia | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.6 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.7% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.8% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.7% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.3% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.0% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.6% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Mineral County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.0% |
| 60+ min | 8.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Mineral County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Mineral County borrowers.
- Tight rental budgets. With 49% of Mineral County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Lender oversight for Mineral County
Consumer lenders serving Mineral County are licensed by the state, not the county; in West Virginia that is the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The West Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Mineral County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Mineral County:
- Price the Mineral County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in West Virginia.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Mineral County
For statewide rules and data, see the West Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Mineral County household make?
About $69,375 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 16% above the West Virginia median.
What do renters pay in Mineral County?
$809 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Mineral County?
By population: Keyser, Fort Ashby, Carpendale, Piedmont, Wiley Ford. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Mineral County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Mineral County check a lender's license?
With the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.