1st Advantage Mortgage14% of Mingo County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $38,119 (ACS 2020-24). 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
- Mingo County at a glance
- What Mingo County households earn
- Mingo County against other West Virginia counties
- Renting and owning in Mingo County
- Work, industries and travel time in Mingo County
- Mingo County communities by population
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Who lives in Mingo County, in numbers
- Budget math at the Mingo County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Mingo County
- Who licenses lenders for Mingo County residents
- A Mingo County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Mingo County
- Frequently asked questions
Mingo County at a glance
Mingo County is home to about 22,542 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 27th most populous of 55 county-level areas in West Virginia. Packed into 423 square miles, that is close to 53 residents for every square mile of land. Metro status: none; Mingo County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Of the 9 Census places inside Mingo County, Williamson leads by population with about 2,919; 5 of the 9 are incorporated.
What Mingo County households earn
The median household income in Mingo County is $38,119; statewide it is $59,608, so Mingo County runs 36% below West Virginia as a whole. That places it 54th among West Virginia's 55 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Mingo County | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 47.5% | +17.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.5% | -3.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 11.3% | -10.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.7% | -3.2 pts |
Some 47% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 14% have six-figure incomes. Poverty rate, Mingo County: 32.4%; West Virginia: 16.7%. Gini index for Mingo County: 0.537. For a borrower in Mingo 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.
Mingo County against other West Virginia counties
Where Mingo County lands at the extremes of West Virginia's county rankings:
- The share of mobile homes: 31.9% in Mingo County. Only 1 of 55 West Virginia counties are higher. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
- On households without a vehicle, Mingo County sits near the top of West Virginia at 12.8%, 2nd highest of 55. Without a car, transit and ride costs belong in the budget before any payment.
- On median household income, Mingo County sits near the bottom of West Virginia at $38,119, 2nd lowest of 55. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
Renting and owning in Mingo County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $647 in Mingo County versus $872 statewide. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 45% in Mingo County, 49% statewide. Home values center on $90,500, or 2.4 years of median income. Owners occupy 73% of homes. The median year built is 1982.
| Cost | Mingo County | West Virginia figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $647/mo | $872/mo | 26% lower |
| Median home value | $90,500 | $162,600 | 44% lower |
| Owners | 73% | 75% | -1.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | -3.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 20% | +9.0 pts |
| Vacant units | 19% | 15% | +4.0 pts |
At a $90,500 median value, many Mingo County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Work, industries and travel time in Mingo County
Education and health care (27%), agriculture, forestry and mining (16%) and arts, lodging and food service (13%) lead Mingo County's job mix. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 16% locally and 3% for West Virginia. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 11.5% in Mingo County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 31%; under 15 minutes: 23%. 12.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Mingo County | Compared with West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.4% | -0.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 15.6% | +12.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.8% | +4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.5% | -2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.6% | -0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 5.5% | -2.5 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Mingo County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Mingo County communities by population
6,414 of Mingo County's 22,542 residents live in its 9 Census places (28%); the 9 largest are listed. Gilbert Creek ($82,632) and Matewan ($16,105) mark the top and bottom of Mingo County's income range among larger places. No Mingo County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson | city | 2,919 | $21,875 | $489 | 7 mi |
| Gilbert Creek | CDP | 1,061 | $82,632 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Matewan | town | 505 | $16,105 | $355 | 7 mi |
| Red Jacket | CDP | 482 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| Chattaroy | CDP | 467 | n/a | $912 | 6 mi |
| Delbarton | town | 333 | $40,750 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Gilbert | town | 308 | $55,000 | $725 | 17 mi |
| Justice | CDP | 186 | $44,234 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Kermit | town | 153 | $35,750 | $782 | 16 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Mingo County's, from 14 to 32 miles away. Richest neighbor: Boone County, $57,093. Poorest: Martin County, $37,042. Mingo County: $38,119. The list crosses into Kentucky, Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mingo County | - | $38,119 | $647/mo | 73% |
| Logan County, WV | 14 mi | $49,723 | $710/mo | 77% |
| Martin County, KY | 20 mi | $37,042 | $450/mo | 85% |
| Pike County, KY | 21 mi | $44,312 | $858/mo | 75% |
| Lincoln County, WV | 31 mi | $46,205 | $771/mo | 74% |
| Buchanan County, VA | 32 mi | $42,886 | $743/mo | 83% |
| Boone County, WV | 32 mi | $57,093 | $837/mo | 81% |
Who lives in Mingo County, in numbers
10% of Mingo County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Health coverage gaps: 6.8% of Mingo County residents are uninsured.
| People and households | Mingo County | Compared with West Virginia | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.5 | +1.8 yrs | +3.0 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 9.5% | -14.6 pts | -12.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 21.0% | +10.3 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | +0.8 pts | -1.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 12.8% | +4.8 pts | +7.4 pts |
| Work from home | 5.5% | -3.5 pts | -3.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 32.4% | +15.6 pts | +19.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 11.5% | +6.1 pts | +7.1 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.8% |
| 60+ min | 16.8% |
Budget math at the Mingo County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Mingo County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $3,177 a month: gross income for a household at the Mingo County median
- 20% goes to median rent ($647)
- $497: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
A household below the $38,119 median has less room than this, often none.
Local borrowing considerations for Mingo County
A few patterns in the Mingo County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Long drives. With 31% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Mingo County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 32% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Before borrowing. At 32.4% poverty, Mingo County has local aid programs worth checking (options).
- 45% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Who licenses lenders for Mingo County residents
Mingo County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: West Virginia guide.
A Mingo County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Mingo County:
- Price the Mingo County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A West Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Mingo County
The West Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is $38,119 a good income in Mingo County?
It is the county median, so half of Mingo County households earn more and half less; 14% earn $100,000 or more.
What do renters pay in Mingo County?
$647 a month at the median, about 20% of median household income.
Can Mingo County owners borrow against a $90,500 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.
Is Kermit covered?
Yes. Kermit is one of 9 Census places in Mingo County, and this guide covers all of them.
Is the fit check different in Mingo County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.