1st Advantage MortgageThe median Taylor County household earns $57,795, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's West Virginia license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Taylor County
- Jobs and commutes in Taylor County
- Paychecks and income spread in Taylor County
- Renting and owning in Taylor County
- Taylor County and the counties next door
- Towns and communities in Taylor County
- Debt-to-income at Taylor County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Taylor County
- People and households in Taylor County
- Lender oversight for Taylor County
- Checklist for Taylor County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Taylor County
Roughly 16,487 residents live in Taylor County, West Virginia, 35th by population among the state's 55 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 173 square miles, that is close to 95 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Taylor County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Grafton, with about 4,618 residents, or 28% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in Taylor County
Education and health care employs 30% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Compared with West Virginia, the county leans toward transportation, warehousing and utilities (9% against 6%). The survey's unemployment rate for Taylor County averages 7.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.4%). About 82% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 9.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Taylor County workers | vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.2% | +2.2 pts |
| Public administration | 9.5% | +2.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.2% | +3.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.2% | -1.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Taylor County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in Taylor County
Half of Taylor County households take in less than $57,795 a year and half take in more, 3% below the West Virginia median of $59,608. In the state ranking that is 21st of 55.
| Household income | Taylor County | vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.1% | -0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | +0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.0% | +0.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -0.8 pts |
Some 30% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 27% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 13.9%, 3 points lower than the state's 16.7%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.437 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Taylor County
Renters in Taylor County pay a median of $835 a month, 4% below the West Virginia figure of $872. By the Census definition, 45% of Taylor County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $148,800, a typical Taylor County house costs 2.6 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 84%. Half the housing stock was built before 1979.
| Measure | Taylor County | West Virginia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $835/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $148,800 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 84% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.3% | 13.6% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Taylor County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Taylor County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 14 to 30 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Taylor County; Marion County is highest at $67,370 and Barbour County lowest at $51,394.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor County | - | $57,795 | $835/mo | 84% |
| Barbour County, WV | 14 mi | $51,394 | $803/mo | 78% |
| Marion County, WV | 16 mi | $67,370 | $932/mo | 77% |
| Harrison County, WV | 19 mi | $60,377 | $879/mo | 74% |
| Monongalia County, WV | 21 mi | $65,346 | $987/mo | 58% |
| Preston County, WV | 22 mi | $61,880 | $750/mo | 81% |
| Tucker County, WV | 30 mi | $53,358 | $656/mo | 81% |
Towns and communities in Taylor County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Taylor County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 4,858 residents, leaving about 71% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton | city | 4,618 | $40,402 | $512 | 2 mi |
| Flemington | town | 240 | $62,188 | $980 | 6 mi |
Debt-to-income at Taylor County's medians
Here is the Taylor County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Taylor County: $4,816
- 17% goes to median rent ($835)
- Under a 35% cap, $1,686 total minus rent leaves $851
- $1,332: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Taylor County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Borrowing situations common in Taylor County
What the Taylor County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Manufactured homes. 13% of Taylor County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Taylor County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
People and households in Taylor County
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. 5.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Taylor County | West Virginia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.5% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.1% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.1% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.0% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.5% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.9% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.5% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.3% |
| 60+ min | 7.7% |
Lender oversight for Taylor County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Taylor County resident can confirm its license with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: West Virginia guide.
Checklist for Taylor County applicants
A short checklist for Taylor County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A West Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
The West Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Taylor County?
$57,795 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $59,608 for West Virginia. It ranks 21st of 55 in the state.
Is Taylor County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $835 against $872 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Taylor County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 84% of Taylor County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Taylor County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Grafton, Flemington.
Can Taylor 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.