Hardy County Public RecordsWest Virginia

As of 2022, Hardy County, WV, has a population of approximately 13,950. The median age is around 44.2 years, with 48.7% male and 51.3% female residents. Racially, the county is predominantly White (92.6%), with Black or African American (2.6%), Asian (0.4%), and people of two or more races (3.5%). Hispanic or Latino individuals comprise about 5.6% of the population.

As of 2024, Hardy County, WV has about 8,000 registered voters, with Republicans comprising approximately 60%, Democrats 27%, and independents/others 13%. The county votes in federal, state, and local elections, with major polling locations in Moorefield and Wardensville. Recent election results show solid GOP dominance; in 2020, Donald Trump won 83% of the vote. Key issues include agriculture, broadband access, and economic development. Elections are administered by the Hardy County Clerk’s office, ensuring compliance with state laws and offering early and absentee voting options for convenience and accessibility.

Hardy County, WV, has 7 public schools, including 2 high schools, serving about 2,300 students. Approximately 85% of adults are high school graduates, while around 18% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools report above-average safety scores and offer programs such as vocational training and dual credit classes. The county high schools' graduation rate is about 91%. Adult education is available through local community initiatives. Average school performance scores range from 60-75 (West Virginia Department of Education).

As of 2022, Hardy County, WV, had an employment-population ratio of approximately 55%. The leading industries are manufacturing (notably poultry processing) employing 20% of workers, followed by retail trade (13%) and healthcare (12%). About 21% of workers have office and administrative support roles, with production occupations at 17%. Roughly 76% of employees commute alone by car, while about 38% work outside the county, mainly in neighboring Grant and Hampshire counties. The county’s unemployment rate hovered around 3.5%, lower than the state average.

Hardy County, WV has a homeownership rate of about 75%, with median home values around $170,000 as of 2023. Median gross rent is $700 per month. The housing market has seen modest annual value increases of 3-5%. Housing types are mainly single-family homes, with some apartments and mobile homes. Key neighborhoods include Moorefield and Wardensville. Property tax rates are low, averaging 0.5% of assessed value, making homeownership affordable. Rental inventory is limited, and vacancy rates are below 5%. Overall, the county offers affordable, rural housing with stable market trends.

Hardy County, WV, maintains relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. According to the FBI’s 2022 data, the county reported a total of 35 crimes, including 3 violent crimes (no homicides) and 32 property crimes. This equates to a crime rate of about 7.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. Law enforcement agencies encourage residents to report suspicious activity, and ongoing community policing efforts support safety. Overall, Hardy County remains a safe rural area, with crime rates consistently lower than both state and national levels.