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Cabell County, WV

RANK #14 / 996  ·  POP 93,965  ·  WV

PROJECTED GROWTH: +4.3%

Cabell County ranks among the top U.S. counties across nearly every economic indicator.

[01] Why Cabell County?

Cabell County, West Virginia, is distinguished by Huntington, its county seat and home to Marshall University. The city, nicknamed "The Jewel City," sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Guyandotte rivers, offering riverfront parks and a blend of historic architecture with a college-town atmosphere. Located in southwestern West Virginia, Cabell County is part of the Huntington-Ashland metropolitan area, which extends into Kentucky and Ohio. Interstate 64 provides a direct commute to Charleston, about 50 miles east. The region's natural setting in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking and water activities on the Ohio River.

Life in Cabell County offers a mix of urban amenities and access to natural spaces. Public transportation is available through the Tri-State Transit Authority, serving Huntington and surrounding areas. The Cabell County Schools district is an above-average public school system. Marshall University recently partnered with Cabell County Schools to guarantee admission for local high school graduates with a 2.5 GPA or higher, simplifying the path to higher education. The economy is supported by institutions like Marshall University and the Marshall Health Network, major employers in the region. Recent economic developments include a significant expansion by Alcon, an eye care leader, representing a multi-million dollar investment and job retention in the county.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
2.5x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+3.6%

Above national median

Home Prices
+5.1%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
0.1

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 2.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Cabell County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
93,965
-0.69% YoY
Median Household Income
$48,944
Median Home Value
$144,200
+5.14% 12mo
Median Rent
$857
Average Annual Pay
$57,829
+5.1% YoY
Employment
52,015
+1.7% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3394
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.88%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$165,000
Days on Market
55
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
2.1
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
95.1%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
14.8%
Listings w/ Price Drops
24.6%
Building Permits (2024)
79
Single-Family Permits
28

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.6% 67 percentile
Population Growth -0.7% 7 percentile
Income Growth +11.8% 95 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.5% 21 percentile
Home Price Change +5.1% 90 percentile
Rent Growth +7.5% 92 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 70 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabell County, WV a good place to move to?

Cabell County has a Boom Town Index score of 99/100, ranking #14 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.7% and a median household income of $48,944, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Cabell County affordable?

The median home value in Cabell County is $144,200 with median rent at $857/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3394, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Cabell County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.7%. Home values changed +5.1% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Cabell County?

Yes — 3.88% of Cabell County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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