Cabell County
WV · Pop. 93,300 · Mixed County
Cabell County sits in West Virginia across 281 square miles, home to 93,300 people at 332 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $156,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.63% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F and average winter lows of 23.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Mary's Medical Center is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.63% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $156,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St Mary's Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A poverty rate of 19.8% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 332 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Cabell County, WV is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $156k
- Property tax
- 0.63%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.8"
- Broadband
- 95.4%
- Nearest hospital
- St Mary's Medical Center, 8.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cabell County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cabell County?
- Cabell County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F, and average winter lows of 23.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $156,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.63%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Mary's Medical Center is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 6 hospitals in the county.
Explore West Virginia Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in West Virginia
All West Virginia countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Cabell 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.