Community Data
Demographics, workforce, economic data, education, and infrastructure for Mason County, West Virginia.
Demographics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 25,214 |
| Median Age | 44.2 years |
| Median Household Income | $53,454 |
| Per Capita Income | $29,428 |
| Homeownership Rate | 82.1% |
| Total Housing Units | 12,179 |
| County Area | 445 sq mi |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023
Workforce
Labor Availability by Radius
| Geography | Available Workers |
|---|---|
| Mason County | 15,000+ |
| 30-mile radius | 75,000+ |
| 50-mile radius | 150,000+ |
| 60-mile radius | 200,000+ |
Workers' Compensation
West Virginia ranks 3rd lowest in the nation — 47% below national average. Rates have declined for 20+ consecutive years.
Employment Snapshot
9,376 employed residents. Average commute: 26.6 min.
Top Employment Sectors
| Sector | Employed |
|---|---|
| Retail Trade | 1,439 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | 1,427 |
| Manufacturing | 1,311 |
Highest-Paying Sectors
| Sector | Avg. Wage |
|---|---|
| Information | $65,167 |
| Utilities | $62,266 |
| Manufacturing | $61,006 |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, DataUSA, NCCI
Economy & Cost of Living
Gross Domestic Product
Up from $941M in 2023. The $6B+ in new investment has not yet hit GDP figures.
Cost of Living Index
16–22% below national average.
Property Tax
Effective rate: 0.61–0.71% of assessed value. Among the lowest in the nation.
Housing Market
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Home Value (ACS) | $127,400 |
| Median Sale Price (Market) | $165,000 |
| Homeownership Rate | 82.1% |
Fair Market Rents (2025 HUD)
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $658 |
| 1-Bedroom | $769 |
| 2-Bedroom | $852 |
| 3-Bedroom | $1,026 |
| 4-Bedroom | $1,130 |
Education
K–12 Schools
12 public schools serving 3,788 students with a 91–94%% graduation rate. Mason County Career Center offers welding, electrical, machine tool, HVAC, automotive, and pre-engineering programs.
Adult Attainment
87.2% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher. 16.3% hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Higher Education Nearby
| Institution | Location | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall University — Mid-Ohio Valley Center | Point Pleasant (in-county) | BSN Nursing, Social Work, Regents BA, MSN |
| Mountwest Community & Technical College | Huntington (~40 mi) | Associate degrees, certificates, workforce training |
| BridgeValley Community & Technical College | South Charleston (~50 mi) | Associate degrees, technical programs |
| Marshall University (main campus) | Huntington (~40 mi) | Full university programs |
| WVU at Parkersburg | Parkersburg (~60 mi) | Associate and bachelor's degrees |
WV Invests Grant provides tuition-free community college for eligible students.
Infrastructure & Transportation
Highways
- US Route 35 — 4-lane divided highway, 34–37 miles to I-64 at Scott Depot.
- WV Route 2 — North-south along Ohio River. Connects to Huntington and Parkersburg.
- WV Route 62 — Key industrial corridor running parallel to the Ohio River.
Distance to I-64: ~35 miles via US 35 (4-lane highway)
Rail & Port
Rail: CSX Class I railroad service with multiple spurs and sidings
Port: Port of West Virginia — up to 1,000 acres, 8,000+ ft Ohio River frontage, rail-to-barge intermodal
Rivers
- Ohio River — Forms the entire western boundary. Point Pleasant at mile marker ~265.
- Kanawha River — Divides northern and southern county. Meets the Ohio River at Point Pleasant.
Airports
- Huntington Tri-State Airport (HTS) — ~40 miles. Commercial passenger service.
- Yeager Airport, Charleston (CRW) — ~44 miles. Commercial passenger service.
Broadband
Fiber expansion funded: $7.7M for Mason, Jackson, and Putnam counties. ~362 miles of new fiber infrastructure planned.
Federal Opportunity Zone
Census Tract 54053955102 (Apple Grove area) designated as a Qualified Opportunity Zone through December 31, 2028. Tax deferral on capital gains and tax-free appreciation on 10+ year holds.
Data Sources
All data sourced from official government databases including: U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 2023), Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis (FRED), HUD Fair Market Rents 2025, NCCI Workers' Compensation Rate Filings, DataUSA, and the West Virginia Development Office. Custom labor availability analyses for specific project sites are available from WorkForce West Virginia upon request.