Barbour County
WV · Pop. 15,454 · Suburban County
Barbour County is a suburban county in West Virginia, spanning 341 square miles with 15,454 residents at a density of 45.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $126,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.43% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 151-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.7°F and average winter lows of 21.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Broaddus Hospital Association, Inc is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 60.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.43% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $126,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broaddus Hospital Association, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 3.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 49.6 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- A 151-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 60.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- A poverty rate of 20.8% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Barbour County, WV is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $126k
- Property tax
- 0.43%
- Growing season
- 151 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.6"
- Broadband
- 60.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Broaddus Hospital Association, Inc, 3.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Barbour County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Barbour County?
- Barbour County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 151-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.7°F, and average winter lows of 21.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $126,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.43%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 60.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Broaddus Hospital Association, Inc is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore West Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in West Virginia
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The closest counties to Barbour County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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