1st Advantage MortgageThe median Ohio County household earns $57,094, and 18% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Ohio County, WV: the basics
- Rent, home values and ownership in Ohio County
- Household income in Ohio County
- Work, industries and travel time in Ohio County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Ohio County
- The counties around Ohio County
- More Ohio County figures
- What the numbers mean for Ohio County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Ohio County's medians
- Licensing and complaints for Ohio County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Ohio County, WV: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Ohio County's population at 41,582; only 11 of West Virginia's 55 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 106 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 393 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Wheeling, WV-OH metropolitan area. Of the 6 Census places inside Ohio County, Wheeling leads by population with about 26,350; 6 of the 6 are incorporated.
Rent, home values and ownership in Ohio County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $821 in Ohio County versus $872 statewide. By the Census definition, 55% of Ohio County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $166,000, about 2.9 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 66%.
| Measure | Ohio County | West Virginia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $821/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $166,000 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.7% | 13.6% | n/a |
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?
Household income in Ohio County
Half of Ohio County households take in less than $57,094 a year and half take in more, 4% below the West Virginia median of $59,608. In the state ranking that is 23rd of 55.
| Households earning | Ohio County | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.3% | +2.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.2% | -3.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | +0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | +1.1 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. Census counts 17.7% of Ohio County residents in poverty, against 16.7% across West Virginia. For a borrower in Ohio 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.
Work, industries and travel time in Ohio County
By the Census industry count, 28% of employed Ohio County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 6.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 79% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 12.0% of the total (8.0% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Ohio County workers | vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.4% | +0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.4% | +4.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.5% | +1.2 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | -0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.2% | -1.9 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Ohio County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Ohio County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Ohio County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 32,111 residents, leaving about 23% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Bethlehem has the highest median household income on the list ($83,409) and West Liberty the lowest ($43,750), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $714 in Triadelphia to $1,339 in Bethlehem. No Ohio County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeling | city | 26,350 | $48,590 | $794 | 4 mi |
| Bethlehem | village | 2,592 | $83,409 | $1,339 | 5 mi |
| West Liberty | town | 1,481 | $43,750 | $1,269 | 5 mi |
| Triadelphia | town | 825 | $48,281 | $714 | 4 mi |
| Clearview | village | 500 | $81,750 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Valley Grove | village | 363 | $58,125 | $950 | 2 mi |
The counties around Ohio County
Brooke County is closest, 12 miles from center to center; the sixth, Greene County, is 27 miles off. Washington County leads the group on income ($78,958), Brooke County trails ($54,316), and Ohio County out-earns 2 of the six. The list crosses into Ohio, Pennsylvania, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio County | - | $57,094 | $821/mo | 66% |
| Brooke County, WV | 12 mi | $54,316 | $645/mo | 75% |
| Marshall County, WV | 17 mi | $59,169 | $837/mo | 78% |
| Belmont County, OH | 19 mi | $57,017 | $793/mo | 74% |
| Washington County, PA | 21 mi | $78,958 | $949/mo | 76% |
| Jefferson County, OH | 22 mi | $59,055 | $835/mo | 71% |
| Greene County, PA | 27 mi | $68,041 | $789/mo | 77% |
More Ohio County figures
Degree holders: 34% of adults over 25. 5.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Ohio County | West Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.9% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.3% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.1% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 12.0% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.4% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.7% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.0% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.1% |
| 60+ min | 6.7% |
What the numbers mean for Ohio County borrowers
Based on the Ohio County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 55% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Ohio County borrower sees (free reports).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Debt-to-income at Ohio County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Ohio County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Ohio County: $4,758
- Median rent: $821, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,082 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Ohio County's.
Licensing and complaints for Ohio County
The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's West Virginia license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: West Virginia guide.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Ohio County:
- Price the Ohio County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the West Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Ohio County household make?
About $57,094 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 4% below the West Virginia median.
What do renters pay in Ohio County?
$821 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Does this page cover Wheeling?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Ohio County, such as Bethlehem, West Liberty, Triadelphia.
Can Ohio 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 Ohio County?
Start with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.