Marion County
WV · Pop. 56,042 · Mixed County
Marion County is a mixed rural-suburban county in West Virginia, spanning 309 square miles with 56,042 residents at a density of 181.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, potatoes. The median home price is $164,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.6%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F and average winter lows of 24.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 46 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Fairmont General Hospital is 4.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 86.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.6% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $164,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Fairmont General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 46 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Marion County, WV is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $164k
- Property tax
- 0.6%
- Growing season
- 184 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 46"
- Broadband
- 86.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Fairmont General Hospital, 4.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marion County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marion County?
- Marion County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F, and average winter lows of 24.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, potatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $164,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.6%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 86.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Fairmont General Hospital is 4.5 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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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in West Virginia
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The closest counties to Marion 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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