1st Advantage MortgageIn Monongalia County, West Virginia, the typical household earns $65,346 a year and the typical rent is $987. 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
- Getting oriented in Monongalia County
- Paychecks and income spread in Monongalia County
- How Monongalia County residents earn a living
- Housing costs in Monongalia County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Monongalia County
- A Monongalia County household budget, worked through
- Who lives in Monongalia County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Monongalia County
- Before you sign
- West Virginia rules that apply in Monongalia County
- More guides for Monongalia County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Monongalia County
Monongalia County is home to about 107,163 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 3rd most populous of 55 county-level areas in West Virginia. It covers 360 square miles of land, or about 298 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Morgantown, WV metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 11 Census places inside Monongalia County, Morgantown leads by population with about 30,236; 5 of the 11 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Monongalia County
Half of Monongalia County households take in less than $65,346 a year and half take in more, 10% above the West Virginia median of $59,608. In the state ranking that is 7th of 55.
| Yearly household income | Monongalia County | Gap to West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.6% | +0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.1% | -6.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.9% | +0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.4% | +5.5 pts |
About 31% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 19.7%, 3 points higher than the state's 16.7%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Monongalia County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 38% of employed Monongalia County residents work in education and health care and 11% in retail trade. Compared with West Virginia, the county leans toward education and health care (38% against 28%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 71% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 7.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Monongalia County | Gap to West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 38.2% | +10.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | -1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.6% | +2.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.1% | +1.7 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 4.5% | -0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 4.5% | -3.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Housing costs in Monongalia County
A typical Monongalia County rental runs $987 a month including utilities, which is 13% above West Virginia. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 54% of renter households here. With a median value of $267,700, a typical Monongalia County house costs 4.1 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 58%.
| Monongalia County | West Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $987/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $267,700 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 58% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.1% | 13.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 15% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Marion County at 13 miles out to Harrison County at 30. Income ranges from $57,795 in Taylor County to $68,041 in Greene County; 2 of these neighbors top Monongalia County's median. The list crosses into Pennsylvania, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monongalia County | - | $65,346 | $987/mo | 58% |
| Marion County, WV | 13 mi | $67,370 | $932/mo | 77% |
| Greene County, PA | 17 mi | $68,041 | $789/mo | 77% |
| Taylor County, WV | 21 mi | $57,795 | $835/mo | 84% |
| Preston County, WV | 24 mi | $61,880 | $750/mo | 81% |
| Fayette County, PA | 30 mi | $58,236 | $793/mo | 72% |
| Harrison County, WV | 30 mi | $60,377 | $879/mo | 74% |
The communities that make up Monongalia County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Monongalia County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 55,926 residents, leaving about 48% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Cheat Lake has the highest median household income on the list ($117,014) and Granville the lowest ($31,901), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Granville ($865) and steepest in Cheat Lake ($1,124). No Monongalia County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 11.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown | city | 30,236 | $44,727 | $937 | 6 mi |
| Cheat Lake | CDP | 10,902 | $117,014 | $1,124 | 11 mi |
| Brookhaven | CDP | 6,212 | $88,438 | $1,104 | 10 mi |
| Westover | city | 4,026 | $60,769 | $1,025 | 4 mi |
| Star City | town | 1,960 | $59,123 | $1,020 | 4 mi |
| Granville | town | 1,257 | $31,901 | $865 | 3 mi |
| Cassville | CDP | 1,149 | $90,478 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Booth | CDP | 129 | $62,813 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Blacksville | town | 55 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Osage | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
| Pentress | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
A Monongalia County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Monongalia County's medians:
- Start: $5,446 gross per month ($65,346 / 12)
- 18% goes to median rent ($987)
- $919: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- Under a 45% cap, $2,450 total minus rent leaves $1,463
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Monongalia County's.
Who lives in Monongalia County, in numbers
49% of Monongalia County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 5.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Monongalia County | West Virginia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.7 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 48.9% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.4% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.3% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.6% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.4% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.7% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.7% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Monongalia County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.6% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Before borrowing in Monongalia County
What the Monongalia County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Assistance before credit. With a 20% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Monongalia County loan.
- Tight rental budgets. With 54% of Monongalia County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Monongalia County borrower sees (free reports).
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Monongalia County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
West Virginia rules that apply in Monongalia County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Monongalia County resident can confirm its license with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on West Virginia: West Virginia personal loans.
More guides for Monongalia County
For statewide rules and data, see the West Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monongalia County a high-income county?
Its $65,346 median ranks 7th of 55 West Virginia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Monongalia County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $987 against $872 statewide, and 54% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Monongalia County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 11 Census places: Morgantown, Cheat Lake, Brookhaven, Westover, Star City.
Can Monongalia County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every West Virginia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Monongalia County?
Start with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.