Living in McDowell County, West Virginia

McDowell County is a county in West Virginia with a population of around 19,835. The main communities are Welch, Gary, War.

Cost of Living

Median rent is $575/month, well below the national average, with a median home price of around $28K. The county has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 2.9%.

Weather and Climate

The climate brings mild winters (highs around 45°F) and warm summers (highs around 78°F). Mountains are less than 1 hour away. The area has wildfire risk worth factoring into home insurance decisions.

Demographics

McDowell County has middle-aged demographics, with a median age of 45 and a predominantly working-class population (5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher). The county votes strongly Republican.