1st Advantage MortgageAbout 75% of Wood County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $57,810. 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
- Who lives in Wood County
- Income in Wood County compared with West Virginia
- Rent, home values and ownership in Wood County
- The Wood County job picture
- Towns and communities in Wood County
- Counties near Wood County
- Room for a loan payment in Wood County
- People and households in Wood County
- Reading the Wood County data as a borrower
- Steps before you apply in Wood County
- Licensing and complaints for Wood County
- More guides for Wood County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Wood County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Wood County's population at 83,407; only 4 of West Virginia's 55 county-level areas are larger. It covers 366 square miles of land, or about 228 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Parkersburg-Vienna, WV metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 11 Census places inside Wood County, Parkersburg leads by population with about 29,240; 4 of the 11 are incorporated.
Income in Wood County compared with West Virginia
Wood County households have a median income of $57,810 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 20th of 55 in West Virginia.
| Households earning | Wood County | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.3% | 0.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.4% | +1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.4% | 0.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -0.9 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 14.7%, 2 points lower than the state's 16.7%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.461 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Wood County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Rent, home values and ownership in Wood County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $822 in Wood County versus $872 statewide. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. Home values center on $158,500, or 2.7 years of median income. 75% of Wood County households own their home and 25% rent. Median construction year: 1970.
| Housing | Wood County | West Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $822/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $158,500 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 20% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 15% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Wood 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.
The Wood County job picture
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Wood County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 78% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Wood County share | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.8% | -2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Public administration | 8.3% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.6% | -0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.6% | -0.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Wood County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Towns and communities in Wood County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Wood County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 53,922 residents, leaving about 35% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $145,000 at the median in North Hills, $49,025 in Parkersburg. No Wood County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 11.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg | city | 29,240 | $49,025 | $785 | 4 mi |
| Vienna | city | 10,518 | $60,388 | $809 | 8 mi |
| Blennerhassett | CDP | 3,282 | $88,487 | $1,117 | 7 mi |
| Williamstown | city | 2,980 | $89,013 | $839 | 13 mi |
| Mineralwells | CDP | 2,389 | $64,643 | $851 | 2 mi |
| Lubeck | CDP | 1,495 | $71,171 | $836 | 5 mi |
| Boaz | CDP | 1,400 | $72,560 | $1,292 | 11 mi |
| Washington | CDP | 1,139 | $60,365 | $859 | 8 mi |
| North Hills | town | 926 | $145,000 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Waverly | CDP | 361 | $68,507 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Kanawha | CDP | 192 | $60,547 | n/a | 3 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Counties near Wood County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (15 to 29 miles). Income ranges from $46,873 in Meigs County to $63,603 in Washington County; 3 of these neighbors top Wood County's median. Some neighbors are in Ohio. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Wood County resident follows West Virginia rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood County | - | $57,810 | $822/mo | 75% |
| Wirt County, WV | 15 mi | $49,867 | $558/mo | 88% |
| Washington County, OH | 17 mi | $63,603 | $852/mo | 75% |
| Pleasants County, WV | 22 mi | $60,932 | $715/mo | 81% |
| Ritchie County, WV | 24 mi | $50,582 | $579/mo | 84% |
| Jackson County, WV | 27 mi | $58,845 | $716/mo | 79% |
| Meigs County, OH | 29 mi | $46,873 | $722/mo | 75% |
Room for a loan payment in Wood County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Wood County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,818 before taxes
- 17% goes to median rent ($822)
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,105 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $822, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in Wood County
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.2%, against 6.0% for West Virginia.
| Measure | Wood County | West Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.1% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.8% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.2% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.3% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.9% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Wood County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 46.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.3% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Reading the Wood County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Wood County borrowers.
- Rent squeeze. 49% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Steps before you apply in Wood County
Steps that save money for Wood County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Wood County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Licensing and complaints for Wood County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Wood County resident can confirm its license with 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.
More guides for Wood County
For statewide rules and data, see the West Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Wood County household make?
About $57,810 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 3% below the West Virginia median.
What do renters pay in Wood County?
$822 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Does this page cover Parkersburg?
Yes, along with the other 10 Census places in Wood County, such as Vienna, Blennerhassett, Williamstown.
Does living in Wood 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 Wood County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Wood County check a lender's license?
With the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.