1st Advantage MortgageThe median Summers County household earns $40,699, and 24% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Summers County
- The Summers County job picture
- Paychecks and income spread in Summers County
- What it costs to live in Summers County
- Places inside Summers County
- Counties near Summers County
- More Summers County figures
- Borrowing situations common in Summers County
- Debt-to-income at Summers County's medians
- Licensing and complaints for Summers County
- A Summers County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Summers County
Roughly 11,729 residents live in Summers County, West Virginia, 42nd by population among the state's 55 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 361 square miles, that works out to roughly 32.5 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Summers County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Hinton, with about 2,086 residents, or 18% of the county.
The Summers County job picture
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; public administration is next with 15%. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 15% locally and 7% for West Virginia. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 86% drive to work alone and 35% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 9.1% of the total (8.0% statewide).
| Where residents work | Summers County | Difference from West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.0% | -0.1 pts |
| Public administration | 14.9% | +7.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.7% | +2.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.6% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.9% | +0.6 pts |
| Construction | 6.2% | -0.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Summers County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in Summers County
Half of Summers County households take in less than $40,699 a year and half take in more, 32% below the West Virginia median of $59,608. That places it 53rd among West Virginia's 55 county-level areas.
| Household income | Summers County | vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 42.5% | +12.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.4% | -2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.5% | -5.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.6% | -4.3 pts |
Some 42% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 17% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 23.8% of Summers County residents in poverty, against 16.7% across West Virginia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.439 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Summers County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What it costs to live in Summers County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $915 in Summers County versus $872 statewide. 59% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 30% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $140,100, about 3.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 81%. Median construction year: 1974.
| Home costs | Summers County | West Virginia | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $915/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $140,100 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 59% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 17.3% | 13.6% | n/a |
Because most Summers 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. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Places inside Summers County
Hinton is the only Census place mainly inside Summers County, with about 2,086 of the county's 11,729 residents. Live in one of these Summers County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinton | city | 2,086 | $37,610 | $951 | 2 mi |
Counties near Summers County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (18 to 29 miles). Income ranges from $48,218 in Greenbrier County to $65,691 in Giles County; all six of these neighbors top Summers County's median. Some neighbors are in Virginia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Summers County resident follows West Virginia rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summers County | - | $40,699 | $915/mo | 81% |
| Monroe County, WV | 18 mi | $56,750 | $690/mo | 87% |
| Mercer County, WV | 22 mi | $53,210 | $810/mo | 73% |
| Raleigh County, WV | 24 mi | $52,150 | $902/mo | 75% |
| Giles County, VA | 25 mi | $65,691 | $789/mo | 79% |
| Fayette County, WV | 29 mi | $53,194 | $788/mo | 78% |
| Greenbrier County, WV | 29 mi | $48,218 | $868/mo | 73% |
More Summers County figures
19% of Summers County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 7% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Summers County | West Virginia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.6 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.8% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.8% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.6% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.1% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.2% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.8% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.2% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Summers County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 13.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 22.7% |
| 60+ min | 12.2% |
Borrowing situations common in Summers County
Based on the Summers County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Long drives. With 35% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Summers County budgets.
- 17% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Older households. A 50.6 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Free help first. 24% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Debt-to-income at Summers County's medians
How much room does a median Summers County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $3,392 a month: gross income for a household at the Summers County median
- Housing at the median rent of $915 uses 27%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $272 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $611 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Licensing and complaints for Summers County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Summers County borrowers answers to the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The West Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Summers County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Summers County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the West Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the West Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Summers County earn?
The median is $40,699; 17% earn $100,000 or more and 42% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Summers County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $915 a month; 59% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Summers County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Summers County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Summers County?
By population: Hinton. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Does living in Summers County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Summers County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.