1st Advantage MortgageWebster County households have a median income of $43,839 and median rent of $709 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Getting oriented in Webster County
- What Webster County households earn
- How Webster County residents earn a living
- Housing costs in Webster County
- Webster County towns compared
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Debt-to-income at Webster County's medians
- People and households in Webster County
- Before borrowing in Webster County
- A Webster County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Webster County residents
- More guides for Webster County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Webster County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Webster County's population at 8,144; only 44 of West Virginia's 55 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 553 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 15 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Webster County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (3 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Addison (Webster Springs), with about 1,038 residents, or 13% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Webster County figure on this page as a rough guide.
What Webster County households earn
Half of Webster County households take in less than $43,839 a year and half take in more, 26% below the West Virginia median of $59,608. In the state ranking that is 50th of 55.
| Household income | Webster County | vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 40.8% | +10.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.1% | -1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.6% | -5.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.4% | -3.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 18% of Webster County households make $100,000 or more, and 41% make less than $35,000. 23.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.7%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.490 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Webster County median.
How Webster County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Webster County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 27% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (22%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 22% locally and 3% for West Virginia. Averaged over the five survey years, 9.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 24% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 3% work from home.
| Top industries | Webster County share | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.3% | -0.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 21.7% | +18.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | -0.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.5% | -1.5 pts |
| Public administration | 6.3% | -0.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.2% | +0.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Webster County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Webster County
A typical Webster County rental runs $709 a month including utilities, which is 19% below West Virginia. 67% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 50% spend half or more. Home values center on $76,100, or 1.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 77%.
| Webster County | West Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $709/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $76,100 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 67% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 20% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 34% | 15% | n/a |
Because most Webster 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. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Webster County towns compared
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Webster County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 1,737 people, so roughly 79% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Webster County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addison (Webster Springs) | town | 1,038 | $33,333 | $657 | 2 mi |
| Cowen | town | 485 | $27,708 | $675 | 8 mi |
| Camden-on-Gauley | town | 182 | $55,917 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Bergoo | CDP | 20 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Parcoal | CDP | 12 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 21 to 35 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Lewis County leads the group on income ($56,477), Pocahontas County trails ($42,119), and Webster County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webster County | - | $43,839 | $709/mo | 77% |
| Braxton County, WV | 21 mi | $50,331 | $606/mo | 77% |
| Nicholas County, WV | 23 mi | $54,639 | $686/mo | 82% |
| Pocahontas County, WV | 26 mi | $42,119 | $715/mo | 84% |
| Upshur County, WV | 31 mi | $54,338 | $886/mo | 81% |
| Clay County, WV | 34 mi | $42,318 | $651/mo | 76% |
| Lewis County, WV | 35 mi | $56,477 | $730/mo | 72% |
Debt-to-income at Webster County's medians
Webster County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $43,839 a year is $3,653 of gross monthly income
- 19% goes to median rent ($709)
- $606: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 43%, room after rent is $862 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Webster County
Degree holders: 13% of adults over 25. 5.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Webster County | West Virginia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.7 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.9% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.4% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 13.0% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.0% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.3% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.2% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Webster County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.3% |
| 60+ min | 17.0% |
Before borrowing in Webster County
A few patterns in the Webster County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Vehicle repairs. 24% of Webster County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 21% of Webster County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Fixed incomes. Webster County's median age is 47.7. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- 23% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
A Webster County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in West Virginia.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for Webster County residents
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. The West Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Webster County
The West Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Webster County earn?
The median is $43,839; 18% earn $100,000 or more and 41% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Webster County?
$709 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
Which towns does the Webster County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Addison (Webster Springs), Cowen, Camden-on-Gauley, Bergoo, Parcoal.
Is the fit check different in Webster County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Webster County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In West Virginia it is the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions.