Upshur County
WV · Pop. 23,758 · Suburban County
Upshur County is a suburban county in West Virginia, spanning 355 square miles with 23,758 residents at a density of 66.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $161,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.44%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F and average winter lows of 23.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St Joseph's Hospital is 6.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 77.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.44% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $161,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- St Joseph's Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Broadband reaches only 77.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- A poverty rate of 18.3% 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
Upshur County, WV is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 74/100
- Median home price
- $161k
- Property tax
- 0.44%
- Growing season
- 173 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 53.9"
- Broadband
- 77.9%
- Nearest hospital
- St Joseph's Hospital, 6.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Upshur County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Upshur County?
- Upshur County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F, and average winter lows of 23.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $161,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.44%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 77.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Joseph's Hospital is 6.1 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in West Virginia
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The closest counties to Upshur 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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