Property Tax in West Virginia by County
According to the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023, the median real estate tax bill in West Virginia is $835 a year, on a median home value of $155,600. Figures for every West Virginia county with published data — 55 in total — are in the table below. That state median is about 72% lower than the US median of $2,969.
At the top of the West Virginia table sits Jefferson County, WV (median $1,796); at the bottom, McDowell County, WV (median $278). One state, one tax system on paper — but the bills are set locally, county by county and district by district.
How do the counties compare with the nation? 0 of the 55 counties listed here sit above the US median bill of $2,969. Take the county medians themselves and the middle one is $640; the full range runs from $278 (McDowell County) up to $1,796 (Jefferson County).
For orientation: the county with the most residents is Kanawha County (178,198 people), and the county covering the most land is Randolph County (1,040 square miles). Their own tax and value medians are in the table below.
The state's population centres are Kanawha County (178,198 residents; median tax $922 on a median value of $135,000), Berkeley County (126,165; $1,353 on $248,000) and Monongalia County (106,520; $1,232 on $254,200).
West Virginia counties: median property tax
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, WV | $1,796 | $324,500 | 0.55% | 58,546 |
| Berkeley County, WV | $1,353 | $248,000 | 0.55% | 126,165 |
| Putnam County, WV | $1,235 | $214,200 | 0.58% | 57,250 |
| Monongalia County, WV | $1,232 | $254,200 | 0.48% | 106,520 |
| Morgan County, WV | $1,145 | $223,100 | 0.51% | 17,327 |
| Cabell County, WV | $989 | $156,100 | 0.63% | 93,300 |
| Marion County, WV | $989 | $164,300 | 0.60% | 56,042 |
| Ohio County, WV | $970 | $165,300 | 0.59% | 41,904 |
| Wood County, WV | $943 | $153,700 | 0.61% | 83,829 |
| Kanawha County, WV | $922 | $135,000 | 0.68% | 178,198 |
| Harrison County, WV | $872 | $158,500 | 0.55% | 65,407 |
| Jackson County, WV | $871 | $154,600 | 0.56% | 27,753 |
| Mineral County, WV | $838 | $180,400 | 0.47% | 26,922 |
| Taylor County, WV | $759 | $144,000 | 0.53% | 16,543 |
| Doddridge County, WV | $752 | $160,000 | 0.47% | 7,767 |
| Hancock County, WV | $752 | $119,600 | 0.63% | 28,658 |
| Pleasants County, WV | $752 | $129,300 | 0.58% | 7,572 |
| Preston County, WV | $747 | $157,700 | 0.47% | 34,204 |
| Hampshire County, WV | $745 | $204,600 | 0.36% | 23,340 |
| Raleigh County, WV | $733 | $142,600 | 0.51% | 73,666 |
| Ritchie County, WV | $700 | $107,800 | 0.65% | 8,372 |
| Upshur County, WV | $700 | $160,700 | 0.44% | 23,758 |
| Monroe County, WV | $698 | $146,100 | 0.48% | 12,401 |
| Brooke County, WV | $690 | $127,700 | 0.54% | 22,053 |
| Fayette County, WV | $690 | $104,200 | 0.66% | 39,987 |
| Mason County, WV | $682 | $127,400 | 0.54% | 25,214 |
| Wetzel County, WV | $664 | $102,800 | 0.65% | 14,233 |
| Greenbrier County, WV | $640 | $136,300 | 0.47% | 32,688 |
| Lewis County, WV | $639 | $135,800 | 0.47% | 16,808 |
| Marshall County, WV | $637 | $139,800 | 0.46% | 30,129 |
| Tyler County, WV | $631 | $112,100 | 0.56% | 8,181 |
| Pendleton County, WV | $603 | $178,600 | 0.34% | 6,111 |
| Wirt County, WV | $602 | $112,800 | 0.53% | 5,131 |
| Logan County, WV | $591 | $101,500 | 0.58% | 31,826 |
| Mercer County, WV | $589 | $118,600 | 0.50% | 59,062 |
| Wayne County, WV | $589 | $124,900 | 0.47% | 38,498 |
| Boone County, WV | $587 | $90,300 | 0.65% | 21,312 |
| Hardy County, WV | $586 | $159,700 | 0.37% | 14,236 |
| Grant County, WV | $555 | $167,500 | 0.33% | 10,972 |
| Nicholas County, WV | $550 | $114,200 | 0.48% | 24,446 |
| Randolph County, WV | $539 | $137,800 | 0.39% | 27,782 |
| Barbour County, WV | $538 | $126,000 | 0.43% | 15,454 |
| Roane County, WV | $538 | $121,100 | 0.44% | 13,921 |
| Tucker County, WV | $511 | $144,700 | 0.35% | 6,698 |
| Lincoln County, WV | $494 | $103,400 | 0.48% | 20,170 |
| Braxton County, WV | $479 | $106,400 | 0.45% | 12,345 |
| Calhoun County, WV | $441 | $111,200 | 0.40% | 6,158 |
| Pocahontas County, WV | $439 | $139,400 | 0.32% | 7,855 |
| Gilmer County, WV | $422 | $83,300 | 0.51% | 7,376 |
| Summers County, WV | $384 | $126,100 | 0.30% | 11,833 |
| Mingo County, WV | $374 | $85,600 | 0.44% | 22,979 |
| Clay County, WV | $369 | $107,100 | 0.34% | 7,946 |
| Wyoming County, WV | $344 | $78,400 | 0.44% | 20,948 |
| Webster County, WV | $303 | $78,000 | 0.39% | 8,253 |
| McDowell County, WV | $278 | $49,200 | 0.56% | 18,413 |
*Derived rate = median taxes paid ÷ median home value — an estimate from two survey medians, not an official rate. Counties in bold detail pages are linked; all figures: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023.
How assessment and appeals work in West Virginia
Nobody in West Virginia pays a single statewide property tax. Instead, each property is assessed where it sits — usually by a county assessor — and taxed by the stack of local districts that cover it: the county, often a town or city, a school district, and sometimes fire, water or other special districts. Exemptions, above all a homestead exemption where offered, come off the assessed value before those rates are applied.
Disagree with the value on your assessment notice? The appeal route runs through the local office named on that notice. Ask for your property record card first and audit it for errors in area, rooms or condition; then support your case with recent comparable sales or a professional appraisal. Deadlines are printed on the notice and are strict, commonly only a month or two after assessments are mailed.
Keep in mind that the state-level medians shown here blend very different local markets inside West Virginia. They are a benchmark for comparison, never a prediction of an individual bill — for that, only your own assessment, exemptions and district rates count.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median property tax in West Virginia?
The median real estate tax paid in West Virginia is $835 per year, on a median home value of $155,600 (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023).
Which West Virginia county has the highest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Jefferson County has the highest median real estate taxes paid at $1,796 per year.
Which West Virginia county has the lowest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, McDowell County has the lowest median real estate taxes paid at $278 per year.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in West Virginia?
Assessments in West Virginia are handled locally, usually by the county assessor or an equivalent local office. If you believe your assessed value is too high, request your property record card, check it for errors, and file an appeal with the local board named on your assessment notice before the deadline printed on that notice — appeal windows are short, often 30 to 90 days.