Raleigh County
WV · Pop. 73,666 · Mixed County
Raleigh County, West Virginia covers 605 square miles with a population of 73,666 and a density of 121.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, beans. A median home price of $143,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.51% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.7°F and average winter lows of 20.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 40 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Raleigh General Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.3% 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 0.51% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $143,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Raleigh General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 40 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.
- A 150-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A poverty rate of 21.6% 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 a glance
Raleigh County, WV is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $143k
- Property tax
- 0.51%
- Growing season
- 150 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 40"
- Broadband
- 85.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Raleigh General Hospital, 3.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Raleigh County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Raleigh County?
- Raleigh County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.7°F, and average winter lows of 20.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, beans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $143,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.51%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 85.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Raleigh General Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 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 Raleigh 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.