Grant County Public RecordsWest Virginia

Grant County, WV has 6 public schools, including 1 high school, serving around 1,500 students. The high school graduation rate is approximately 91%, but only about 11% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree. The average school test score is 45%, slightly below the state average. Schools offer career-technical and dual-credit programs, with a focus on safety—granting the county a moderate school safety rating of 7/10. Adult education and GED programs are available through the South Branch Career and Technical Center, supporting further learning opportunities for the community.

Grant County, WV had an unemployment rate of 4.1% as of late 2023. The leading employment sectors are manufacturing (19%), health care and social assistance (15%), and retail trade (13%). Major occupation types include production (14%), office and administrative support (13%), and sales (10%). About 78% of workers commute alone by car, with an average commute time of 27 minutes. While most residents (approx. 75%) work within Grant County, others commute to neighboring Hardy and Mineral counties for employment opportunities.

Grant County, WV has a homeownership rate near 77%, well above the US average, with median home values around $141,000 (2022 US Census). Rental vacancy rates are high, and median gross rent is about $595/month. Housing types are predominantly single-family homes, with some mobile and manufactured housing. Neighborhoods are mostly rural, with Petersburg as the main town. Property values have seen steady, modest growth, rising 8.5% since 2020. Property taxes remain low, with average effective rates at 0.48%, making the county affordable for both buyers and renters seeking rural living.

Grant County, WV, has approximately 8,000 registered voters as of 2024, predominantly Republican (over 75%). Elections include primaries, generals, and special ballots, with the Board of Education and County Commission seats frequently contested. In the 2020 presidential election, Republicans garnered 88% of the vote. Polling locations span 11 precincts, typically held at local schools and community centers. The County Clerk administers elections, ensuring ballot integrity and voter registration management. Key voting issues include broadband access, school funding, and property taxes, with Republican and Democratic parties most active in local political debates and turnout efforts.

Grant County, WV has a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. In 2022, reported violent crime incidents were under 10 per 10,000 residents, while property crime rates stood at approximately 120 per 10,000. The county’s law enforcement agencies maintain active patrol and encourage community crime reporting, contributing to a high clearance rate of about 80%. Regular safety initiatives and collaboration with residents help keep overall crime below state and national rates, making Grant County one of the safer regions in West Virginia.

As of the 2020 Census, Grant County, WV, had a population of 10,976. The median age was 45.3 years, with 50.3% male and 49.7% female residents. Racially, the county is predominantly White (96.2%), with small percentages of Black or African American (0.9%), two or more races (2.1%), and other races. Hispanic or Latino individuals account for 1.7% of the population.