While coal and the railroad may have provided impetus to Mineral County's early economic growth, the County has since diversified in its industrial output. Although it sits on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, NewPage's Fine Papers Division depends heavily on Mineral County for its labor (approximately 570 West Virginians work for NewPage) and raw materials. Within Mineral County's borders, a wide range of industries exist that provide employment to Mineral County residents and products for a national market.

Mineral County's commercial center, Keyser, is the hub of this rural county. Mineral County has 75,000 acres of land under cultivation by 300 farms, each averaging 252 acres. Although agriculture contributes over $3.5 million to the local economy, the majority of these are farmed part-time as their owners also work in the local industry. This work ethic is the backbone of Mineral County's progressive nature.

Median household income in 1999 was $31,149 with per capita annual income of $14,444. The Mineral County area has recently transformed from a goods to a services economy, with 33% of all jobs in the service sector. At this time approximately 40% of the population commutes out of the county to jobs. A strong work ethic and pro-business climate favors location of new industry.

Mineral County is an active member of the Eastern Gateway Panhandle Software Chapter of Software Valley, a cooperative effort of leaders in West Virginia's academic, business, industry, and government sectors to foster economic revitalization statewide through research and development of the software industry.

Current Demographics