1st Advantage MortgageIn Raleigh County, West Virginia, the typical household earns $52,150 a year and the typical rent is $902. 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
- Raleigh County at a glance
- The Raleigh County job picture
- What Raleigh County households earn
- Renting and owning in Raleigh County
- Counties near Raleigh County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Raleigh County
- Who lives in Raleigh County, in numbers
- Reading the Raleigh County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Raleigh County median
- Lender oversight for Raleigh County
- Checklist for Raleigh County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Raleigh County at a glance
Raleigh County is home to about 73,195 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 6th most populous of 55 county-level areas in West Virginia. Land area is 605 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 121 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Beckley, WV metropolitan area. Beckley is the biggest of its 24 Census places, at roughly 16,818 people (23% of the county total).
The Raleigh County job picture
The biggest employer of Raleigh County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 30% of workers, followed by retail trade (14%). Education and health care stands out: 30% of workers here, versus 28% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.0% in Raleigh County. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Raleigh County | Gap to West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.3% | +2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.7% | +1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.3% | +2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.8% | -1.6 pts |
| Construction | 6.2% | -0.4 pts |
| Public administration | 5.9% | -1.3 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What Raleigh County households earn
Half of Raleigh County households take in less than $52,150 a year and half take in more, 13% below the West Virginia median of $59,608. Only 35 West Virginia counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Raleigh County | Difference from West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.6% | +5.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.7% | -0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.1% | -2.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -2.2 pts |
Some 36% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. 22.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.7%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.490 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Raleigh County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Renting and owning in Raleigh County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $902 in Raleigh County versus $872 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 54% of renter households here. Home values center on $150,900, or 2.9 years of median income. 75% of Raleigh County households own their home and 25% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1977.
| Raleigh County | West Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $902/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $150,900 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.2% | 13.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 15% | n/a |
Because most Raleigh County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. 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?
Counties near Raleigh County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Raleigh County's, from 19 to 34 miles away. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Raleigh County; Boone County is highest at $57,093 and McDowell County lowest at $31,559.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh County | - | $52,150 | $902/mo | 75% |
| Wyoming County, WV | 19 mi | $48,440 | $650/mo | 82% |
| Fayette County, WV | 21 mi | $53,194 | $788/mo | 78% |
| Summers County, WV | 24 mi | $40,699 | $915/mo | 81% |
| Mercer County, WV | 26 mi | $53,210 | $810/mo | 73% |
| Boone County, WV | 30 mi | $57,093 | $837/mo | 81% |
| McDowell County, WV | 34 mi | $31,559 | $643/mo | 77% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Raleigh County
24 Census places fall mainly inside Raleigh County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 36,760 residents, leaving about 50% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $20,491 in Coal City to $85,094 in Prosperity. Live in one of these Raleigh County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley | city | 16,818 | $45,826 | $869 | 6 mi |
| Shady Spring | CDP | 3,381 | $67,407 | $844 | 10 mi |
| Sophia | town | 1,528 | $36,080 | $870 | 4 mi |
| MacArthur | CDP | 1,493 | $35,650 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Daniels | CDP | 1,489 | $60,278 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Stanaford | CDP | 1,449 | $44,219 | $982 | 7 mi |
| Bradley | CDP | 1,424 | $43,641 | $874 | 8 mi |
| Mabscott | town | 1,396 | $57,813 | $980 | 3 mi |
| Prosperity | CDP | 1,389 | $85,094 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Crab Orchard | CDP | 1,139 | $43,792 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Piney View | CDP | 986 | $66,422 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Sprague | CDP | 952 | $64,875 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Coal City | CDP | 724 | $20,491 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Beaver | CDP | 695 | $30,870 | n/a | 6 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Who lives in Raleigh County, in numbers
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. About 4% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Raleigh County | West Virginia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.5% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.1% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.2% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.9% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.4% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 22.8% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.9% |
| 60+ min | 9.0% |
Reading the Raleigh County data as a borrower
What the Raleigh County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Mobile home upkeep. 16% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Assistance before credit. With a 23% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Raleigh County loan.
- Tight rental budgets. With 54% of Raleigh County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Budget math at the Raleigh County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Raleigh County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Raleigh County: $4,346
- Median rent: $902, or 21 cents of every gross dollar
- At 43%, room after rent is $967 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Raleigh County's.
Lender oversight for Raleigh County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Raleigh County borrowers answers to the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the West Virginia state guide for the statewide picture.
Checklist for Raleigh County applicants
A short checklist for Raleigh County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Raleigh County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the West Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the West Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Raleigh County earn?
The median is $52,150; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 36% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Raleigh County?
$902 a month at the median, about 21% of median household income.
I own my home in Raleigh County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 75% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Raleigh County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 24 Census places: Beckley, Shady Spring, Sophia, MacArthur, Daniels.
Are Raleigh County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.