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Wood County

WV · Pop. 83,829 · Mixed County

71/100Homestead Score

Wood County sits in West Virginia across 367 square miles, home to 83,829 people at 228.4 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $154,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.61% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F and average winter lows of 25.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Camden Clark Medical Center is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.61%
Growing Season: 192 days
Broadband: 92.9%
Density: 228.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 192-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.61% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $154,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 92.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Camden Clark Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 4.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

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 228.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
71/100
Median home price
$154k
Property tax
0.61%
Growing season
192 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
42.1"
Broadband
92.9%
Nearest hospital
Camden Clark Medical Center, 4.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.61%
Median Household Income$56,193
Poverty Rate14.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$154K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season192 days
Annual Rainfall42.1 inches
Avg Summer High85.6°F
Avg Winter Low25.6°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado4/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCamden Clark Medical Center (4.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage92.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.3%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Wood County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Wood County?
Wood County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F, and average winter lows of 25.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $154,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.61%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 92.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Camden Clark Medical Center is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Wood 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.