1st Advantage Mortgage23% of Upshur County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $54,338 (ACS 2020-24). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Upshur County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Upshur County, WV: the basics
- Where Upshur County households live
- The Upshur County job picture
- Household income in Upshur County
- How Upshur County ranks in West Virginia
- Upshur County towns compared
- Counties near Upshur County
- Reading the Upshur County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income, Upshur County edition
- People and households in Upshur County
- Four steps for Upshur County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Upshur County
- Other West Virginia guides
- Frequently asked questions
Upshur County, WV: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Upshur County's population at 23,712; only 24 of West Virginia's 55 county-level areas are larger. Its 355 square miles average 67 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Upshur County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Largest place: Buckhannon, about 5,116 residents (22% of Upshur County); 4 Census places in all.
Where Upshur County households live
Renters in Upshur County pay a median of $886 a month, 2% above the West Virginia figure of $872. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. Home values center on $170,800, or 3.1 years of median income. In Upshur County, 81% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Half the housing stock was built before 1979. Against the median U.S. county, Upshur County rent is about level with.
| Measure | Upshur County | West Virginia | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $886/mo | $872/mo | 2% higher |
| Median home value | $170,800 | $162,600 | 5% higher |
| Owners | 81% | 75% | +5.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 49% | -2.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 20% | +11.2 pts |
| Mobile homes | 20.8% | 13.6% | +7.2 pts |
With 81% of Upshur County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
The Upshur County job picture
Education and health care employs 31% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 11%. Upshur County over-indexes on agriculture, forestry and mining: 6% versus 3% in West Virginia. The survey's unemployment rate for Upshur County averages 5.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.4%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 20%; under 15 minutes: 30%. Households without a car make up 8.2% of the total (8.0% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Upshur County | Gap to West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.7% | +2.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.6% | +2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.2% | -2.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.2% | +0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.1% | +1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.8% | -1.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Household income in Upshur County
Half of Upshur County households take in less than $54,338 a year and half take in more, 9% below the West Virginia median of $59,608. That places it 30th among West Virginia's 55 county-level areas.
| Band | Upshur County | Compared with West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.5% | +1.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.9% | +3.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.2% | -3.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.4% | -1.5 pts |
31% under $35,000 and 23% at $100,000 or more: that is the Upshur County income split. 19.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.7%). A household earning below the $54,338 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How Upshur County ranks in West Virginia
The 3 Upshur County numbers that rank furthest from typical in West Virginia, and what each means for a borrower:
- Upshur County ranks 6th highest of 55 West Virginia counties for the share of workers who work from home: 11.0%, against 9.1% statewide. Remote and self-employed income may need tax returns as proof.
- Median age: 42.3 in Upshur County. Only 7 of 55 West Virginia counties are lower. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
- Few West Virginia counties match Upshur County on median home value: $170,800 here, $162,600 for the state, ranking 10th highest of 55. Owners with equity have more options, including secured credit, but that puts the house at risk.
Upshur County towns compared
Places, by size: the top 4 of 4. Roughly 75% of Upshur County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. From Buckhannon to the smallest crossroads, Upshur County residents share this guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckhannon | city | 5,116 | $54,615 | $885 | 6 mi |
| Hinkleville | CDP | 291 | $54,167 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Rock Cave | CDP | 276 | $52,202 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Adrian | CDP | 183 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Counties near Upshur County
Distances run center to center, from Lewis County at 15 miles out to Webster County at 31. Harrison County leads the group on income ($60,377), Webster County trails ($43,839), and Upshur County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upshur County | - | $54,338 | $886/mo | 81% |
| Lewis County, WV | 15 mi | $56,477 | $730/mo | 72% |
| Barbour County, WV | 21 mi | $51,394 | $803/mo | 78% |
| Randolph County, WV | 21 mi | $52,757 | $821/mo | 75% |
| Harrison County, WV | 27 mi | $60,377 | $879/mo | 74% |
| Braxton County, WV | 30 mi | $50,331 | $606/mo | 77% |
| Webster County, WV | 31 mi | $43,839 | $709/mo | 77% |
Reading the Upshur County data as a borrower
Based on the Upshur County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 20% long commutes. A Upshur County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 21% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Help that costs nothing. About 4,563 Upshur County residents live in poverty; see free options before a loan.
- Rent squeeze. 46% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Debt-to-income, Upshur County edition
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Upshur County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $4,528 gross per month ($54,338 / 12)
- Less median rent of $886, which is 20% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $744 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
People and households in Upshur County
In Upshur County, 18% of adults have at least a four-year degree (24% in West Virginia). The uninsured rate is 6.3%, against 6.0% for West Virginia.
| Indicator | Upshur County | +/- West Virginia | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3 | -0.4 yrs | +0.8 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.2% | -6.0 pts | -4.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.5% | +0.8 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.3% | +0.3 pts | -1.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.2% | +0.1 pts | +2.8 pts |
| Work from home | 11.0% | +1.9 pts | +2.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 19.2% | +2.5 pts | +6.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.7% | +0.3 pts | +1.3 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Upshur County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.9% |
| 60+ min | 10.8% |
Four steps for Upshur County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Upshur County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Upshur County-area credit union.
- A West Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Upshur County credit union about member loans.
Licensing and complaints for Upshur County
Upshur County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. If a Upshur County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. The West Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Other West Virginia guides
The West Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Upshur County?
$54,338 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $59,608 for West Virginia. It ranks 30th of 55 in the state.
What do renters pay in Upshur County?
$886 a month at the median, about 20% of median household income.
I live in a small Upshur County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Buckhannon, Hinkleville, Rock Cave, Adrian.
Are Upshur 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.
Is there a Upshur County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In West Virginia it is the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions.