Preston County
WV · Pop. 34,204 · Suburban County
Preston County sits in West Virginia across 649 square miles, home to 34,204 people at 52.7 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $158,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.47% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 75.9°F and average winter lows of 21.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Preston Memorial Hospital is 0.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 75.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.47% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $158,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Preston Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 44.5 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- A 163-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 75.3% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Preston County, WV is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 82/100
- Median home price
- $158k
- Property tax
- 0.47%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.5"
- Broadband
- 75.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Preston Memorial Hospital, 0.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Preston County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Preston County?
- Preston County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 75.9°F, and average winter lows of 21.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $158,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.47%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 75.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Preston Memorial Hospital is 0.5 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
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AcreTrader
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More counties in West Virginia
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The closest counties to Preston 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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