1st Advantage Mortgage30% of Pleasants County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $60,932 (ACS 2020-24). For a Pleasants County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the West Virginia license.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Pleasants County
- Household income in Pleasants County
- The Pleasants County housing market in figures
- Employment and commuting in Pleasants County
- Pleasants County's most unusual numbers
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Pleasants County
- Counties near Pleasants County
- Pleasants County households compared
- Before borrowing in Pleasants County
- $5,078 a month: the Pleasants County median budget
- Four steps for Pleasants County borrowers
- West Virginia rules that apply in Pleasants County
- More guides for Pleasants County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Pleasants County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Pleasants County's population at 7,521; only 49 of West Virginia's 55 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 57.8 residents per square mile across 130 square miles of land. Pleasants County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Of the 2 Census places inside Pleasants County, St. Marys leads by population with about 2,174; 2 of the 2 are incorporated. Because Pleasants County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Household income in Pleasants County
At $60,932, the typical Pleasants County household income is 7% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 15th among West Virginia's 55 county-level areas.
| Band | Pleasants County | Compared with West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.5% | +1.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.8% | -3.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.5% | +2.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | +0.4 pts |
Six-figure households (30%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (31%) in Pleasants County. Pleasants County counts about 872 residents below the poverty line, 11.6% of the population. Gini index for Pleasants County: 0.551. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Pleasants County median.
The Pleasants County housing market in figures
Half of Pleasants County renters pay more than $715 a month and half pay less; the West Virginia midpoint is $872. About 4 in 10 Pleasants County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Pleasants County homes are worth $151,000 at the median, a 2.5-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 81%. Half the housing stock was built before 1976.
| Home costs | Pleasants County | West Virginia | Compared with West Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 28% | 20% | +8.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 49% | -7.1 pts |
| Owners | 81% | 75% | +6.6 pts |
| Median gross rent | $715/mo | $872/mo | 18% lower |
| Vacant units | 14% | 15% | -1.3 pts |
| Median home value | $151,000 | $162,600 | 7% lower |
With 81% of Pleasants County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Employment and commuting in Pleasants County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Pleasants County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. Compared with West Virginia, the county leans toward manufacturing (18% against 8%). 8.5% of Pleasants County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 23% of Pleasants County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 19% need 45 or more. Households without a car make up 2.6% of the total (8.0% statewide).
| Where residents work | Pleasants County | Difference from West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.9% | -5.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.2% | +10.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 14.0% | +7.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.9% | -3.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 5.8% | -0.9 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Pleasants County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Pleasants County's most unusual numbers
Where Pleasants County lands at the extremes of West Virginia's county rankings:
- The uninsured rate: 10.4% in Pleasants County, the highest of 55 in West Virginia. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
- On households without a vehicle, Pleasants County sits near the bottom of West Virginia at 2.6%, the lowest of 55. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
- Few West Virginia counties match Pleasants County on the share of workers who work from home: 12.4% here, 9.1% for the state, ranking 3rd highest of 55. Remote and self-employed income may need tax returns as proof.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Pleasants County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Pleasants County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 3,157 residents, leaving about 58% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. From St. Marys to the smallest crossroads, Pleasants County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Marys | city | 2,174 | $63,547 | $771 | 3 mi |
| Belmont | city | 983 | $49,851 | $511 | 6 mi |
Counties near Pleasants County
Distances run center to center, from Ritchie County at 14 miles out to Doddridge County at 25. Income ranges from $50,582 in Ritchie County to $63,693 in Tyler County; 2 of these neighbors top Pleasants County's median. The list crosses into Ohio, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasants County | - | $60,932 | $715/mo | 81% |
| Ritchie County, WV | 14 mi | $50,582 | $579/mo | 84% |
| Tyler County, WV | 17 mi | $63,693 | $748/mo | 84% |
| Washington County, OH | 18 mi | $63,603 | $852/mo | 75% |
| Wood County, WV | 22 mi | $57,810 | $822/mo | 75% |
| Monroe County, OH | 25 mi | $60,134 | $672/mo | 80% |
| Doddridge County, WV | 25 mi | $57,401 | $866/mo | 89% |
Pleasants County households compared
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. Uninsured, Pleasants County: 10.4%; West Virginia: 6.0%.
| Pleasants County | vs West Virginia | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.1% | -10.1 pts | -8.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.6% | -5.5 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 11.6% | -5.1 pts | -1.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 10.4% | +4.4 pts | +2.6 pts |
| Work from home | 12.4% | +3.4 pts | +3.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.5% | +3.1 pts | +4.1 pts |
| Median age | 44.0 | +1.3 yrs | +2.5 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 10.6% | -0.1 pts | n/a |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 30.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.8% |
Before borrowing in Pleasants County
Based on the Pleasants County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 19% long commutes. A Pleasants County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 23% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
$5,078 a month: the Pleasants County median budget
Pleasants County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,078 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $715 uses 14%
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,062 left for all other debt payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,570 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $715, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Four steps for Pleasants County borrowers
A short checklist for Pleasants County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Pleasants County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in West Virginia.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
West Virginia rules that apply in Pleasants County
The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's West Virginia license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. State-level detail for Pleasants County borrowers is in the West Virginia guide.
More guides for Pleasants County
No city in Pleasants County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Pleasants County?
$60,932 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $59,608 for West Virginia. It ranks 15th of 55 in the state.
How much is rent in Pleasants County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $715 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Pleasants County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 81% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover St. Marys?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Pleasants County, such as Belmont.
Can Pleasants 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.