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County tax profile · 2026 · Census ACS + IRS data

Property Tax & Income in Preston County, West Virginia

Preston County has an effective property tax rate of 0.49%. On the median home value of $162,800, that's roughly $793 per year. Median household income is $61,880.

Effective Property Tax Rate1
0.49%
median tax $793 ÷ median home $162,800
Median Home Value1
$162,800
owner-occupied
Median Household Income1
$61,880
per-capita $29,033
Est. Annual Tax on Median Home1
$793
at 0.49% effective rate

What you'll pay, at a glance

Property taxes are the largest local tax most homeowners pay. The effective rate measures the real tax bill as a share of home value — a more useful number than the nominal “mill rate,” because assessment practices vary county to county.

MetricPreston CountyWest Virginia (state context)
Effective property tax rate10.49%0.49%
Median home value1$162,800—
State income tax3top rate 4.82%top rate 4.82%
State sales tax36.60% combined6.60% combined

How this is calculated

The effective property tax rate is the median real-estate tax bill divided by the median home value — both for owner-occupied homes, from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS 5-year estimates)1. Median income is also from the ACS1. Federal and state income-tax figures use IRS2 and Tax Foundation3 data.

About Preston County, WV

Preston County offers an affordable entry point for buyers in West Virginia, with a median home value of $162,800 and an annual property tax bill around $793. That works out to an effective rate of 0.487%, just under the statewide median of 0.489% and well below the national figure of 0.794%. Among West Virginia's 55 counties, Preston ranks 29th for property tax rate. Households here earn a median of $61,880, while per-capita income sits at $29,033. Towns like Newburg, Rowlesburg, and Tunnelton anchor the county's communities. For someone weighing a purchase, the combination of moderate home prices and a tax rate that trails both state and national averages can keep annual ownership costs contained, though buyers should still factor in insurance, maintenance, and local services when budgeting.

Frequently asked questions

What is the property tax rate in Preston County, WV?
The effective rate is 0.49% — meaning the median tax bill equals about 0.49% of the median home value.
How much are property taxes on a median home?
On the median home ($162,800), the estimated annual bill is about $793.
Is Preston County's rate high or low?
Compare it to the state median of 0.49% and the national average near 1.1%.
How does the effective rate differ from my mill rate?
A mill rate is the nominal levy per $1,000 of assessed value. The effective rate reflects what you actually pay after exemptions and assessments — it's the median tax bill as a share of median home value, so it better predicts your real cost.
Will a reassessment raise my tax bill?
Not necessarily. If your home's assessed value rises, your bill can go up, but only if the mill rate and exemptions stay flat. Contact the Preston County assessor's office to review your current assessment.
Can I appeal my property tax assessment?
Yes. Most counties allow an appeal when you believe the assessed value exceeds the market value. File with the Preston County assessor within the local deadline, typically with comparable sales as evidence.
Sources
[1] U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-Year (2023) — Median home value (B25077), median real-estate taxes (B25103), median household income (B19013), per-capita income (B19301).
[2] IRS — Statistics of Income — County income, AGI, and real-estate taxes paid.
[3] Tax Foundation — State income, sales, corporate, and estate/inheritance tax rates.