Community Profile
Brief History
Discovered in 1669, the German physician and explorer John Lederer is believed to be the first person to set foot in what is now Mineral County. The county was officially named in 1866 by the Act of the West Virginia Legislature, receiving its name from the vast amount of minerals found in the region, particularly coal.
Population
Mineral County is home to nearly 30,000 people, occupying nearly 12,000 housing units. The average age of a Mineral County citizen is 38 years old, and the average household size is about 2.5 people.
Climate
Located in the Potomac Highlands region of West Virginia, Mineral County experiences four distinct seasons with average temperatures ranging between 61 and 37 degrees. Annual rainfall in the county is 45 inches and annual snowfall is 76 inches.
Jobs & Commerce
A strong work ethic is the backbone of the Mineral County community. With a labor force of nearly 105,000 people and an average household income of about $31,000, the county is home to various manufacturing plants specializing primarily in lumber, glass, propulsion units, and mineral fabrication. Three hundred farms, on roughly 76,000 acres, contribute $3.5 million to the local economy per year. Small business growth is constantly on the rise, with programs such as the Region 8 Revolving Loan Fund providing financial assistance to qualified businesses.
Cost of Living
Affordable living costs are below the U.S. average and low property taxes help West Virginia lead the nation in home ownership without sacrificing services and amenities available in more expensive areas.
Housing
Mineral County features affordable housing with a wide variety of sizes and prices. Local housing developments feature lot sizes from 1/3 acre to several acres to build the home of your choice. Low property taxes make location very affordable.
Education
Mineral County houses an excellent education program that includes five primary schools, one intermediate school, three middle schools, and two advanced technology high schools. High-school test scores in Mineral County are among the best in West Virginia and consistently outperform national averages.
Source: Coldwell Banker Home Town
