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Taylor County

WV · Pop. 16,543 · Suburban County

90/100Homestead Score

Taylor County is a suburban county in West Virginia, spanning 173 square miles with 16,543 residents at a density of 95.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, potatoes. A median home price of $144,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.53% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F and average winter lows of 22.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Grafton City Hospital, Inc is 1.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.53%
Growing Season: 174 days
Broadband: 88.4%
Density: 95.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.53% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $144,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Grafton City Hospital, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 1.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • Annual rainfall of 48.1 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.

Cons

  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
  • Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.

At a glance

Taylor County, WV is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
90/100
Median home price
$144k
Property tax
0.53%
Growing season
174 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
48.1"
Broadband
88.4%
Nearest hospital
Grafton City Hospital, Inc, 1.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.53%
Median Household Income$56,807
Poverty Rate14.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$144K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season174 days
Annual Rainfall48.1 inches
Avg Summer High79.8°F
Avg Winter Low22.4°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Potatoes

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought1/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado2/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalGrafton City Hospital, Inc (1.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage88.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.1%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Taylor County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Taylor County?
Taylor County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F, and average winter lows of 22.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, potatoes.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $144,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 88.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Grafton City Hospital, Inc is 1.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Taylor 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.