Harrison County

As of the latest available data, Harrison County, WV has a population of approximately 67,256 residents. The racial makeup is predominantly White (over 94%), with African Americans, Asians, and other races making up the remainder. The median household income is around $47,978, and about 15.8% of the population lives below the poverty line. The median age is around 42.5 years. Educational attainment shows that around 87% of residents over 25 have at least a high school diploma, and about 20% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

As of 2023 in Harrison County, WV, the median home value is approximately $121,300. The county features a homeownership rate of around 75%, with median gross rent near $677 per month. Housing units number roughly 32,000, and the vacancy rate hovers around 12.6%. Property appreciation over the past decade has been about 2.3% annually. Housing types vary, with single-family homes being most common.

Harrison County, WV, actively participates in local, state, and federal elections. Key offices include County Commission, Sheriff, and Board of Education among others. In the 2022 general election, voter turnout was approximately 47%. Major races included candidates for the County Commission such as incumbent Patsy Trecost (Democrat) and challenger Susan W. Thomas (Republican). For the Sheriff's race, the contenders were incumbent Robert Matheny (Democrat) and challenger Wayman J. Toothman (Republican). The Board of Education saw multiple candidates vying for limited seats, including residents such as Frank Devono and Michael L. Daugherty. For accurate and detailed numerical values, visit the Harrison County Clerk's official website or the WV Secretary of State's office for updated election statistics and candidate lists.

(Note: For the most recent information, always check the latest data from the official websites due to possible changes and updates after the cutoff in 2023.)

As of the latest available data, 89.1% of adults in Harrison County, WV, have at least a high school diploma, while 21.6% possess a bachelor's degree or higher. These figures are slightly lower than the national averages, where approximately 88% have completed high school and 35% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Comparatively, West Virginia overall has lower educational attainment, with about 86.9% of adults having a high school diploma and 20.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Thus, Harrison County performs better than the state average but lags behind the national norms in terms of higher education attainment.

Harrison County, WV, had an unemployment rate of around 6.2% as of recent data, compared to the national average of approximately 3.7% and the West Virginia state average of 5.7%. Employment in Harrison County is predominantly driven by the following industries:

1. Healthcare and Social Assistance: Approximately 18% of the workforce.
2. Retail Trade: Around 14% of local employment.
3. Educational Services: About 12% of the workforce.
4. Manufacturing: Approximately 10%, higher than the state average.
5. Public Administration: Comprising around 8% of jobs.

Relative to national averages, Harrison County has a stronger emphasis on Healthcare and Public Administration, with Manufacturing employment also notable compared to national trends. By contrast, industries such as Professional Services and Information Technology are less represented compared to national averages.

These statistics highlight the county’s reliance on foundational and government-related sectors for local employment.

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Harrison County, WV, is approximately $50,772. This figure is below both the national and state averages. The national median household income stands at around $68,703, while the state of West Virginia has a median household income of approximately $48,850. The lower income level in Harrison County reflects broader economic challenges typical within the state.

This comparison highlights Harrison County's earnings being modestly above the state median, yet significantly lower than the national median. Factors such as local employment opportunities, industry presence, and cost of living play crucial roles in these figures.

As of recent data, Harrison County, WV, has varying crime rates. The overall crime rate is approximately 22.54 per 1,000 residents annually. Here is a summary of the statistics for different types of crimes:

These figures are reflective of the broader trends observed in similar counties within West Virginia. Efforts to reduce crime include increased community policing and public safety initiatives.