Lincoln County
WV · Pop. 20,170 · Suburban County
Lincoln County is a suburban county in West Virginia, spanning 437 square miles with 20,170 residents at a density of 46.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $103,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.48% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F and average winter lows of 23.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Boone Memorial Hospital is 17 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 75.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.48% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $103,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Annual rainfall of 45.1 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
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.
- Broadband reaches only 75.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Boone Memorial Hospital, is 17 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 20.6% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Lincoln County, WV is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 62/100
- Median home price
- $103k
- Property tax
- 0.48%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.1"
- Broadband
- 75.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Boone Memorial Hospital, 17 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lincoln County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lincoln County?
- Lincoln County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F, and average winter lows of 23.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $103,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.48%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 75.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Boone Memorial Hospital is 17 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore West Virginia Resources
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More counties in West Virginia
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The closest counties to Lincoln 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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