Elections
As of 2024, Mineral County, WV has around 17,000 registered voters. The county conducts primary, general, and special elections, overseen by the County Clerk’s office. In the 2020 presidential election, 73% of voters supported the Republican candidate, while 25% favored the Democrat. Major polling locations include Keyser Primary/Middle Schools and Frankfort High. Current issues center on school funding and infrastructure. The Republican Party dominates voter registration, followed by Democrats and Independents. Election administration emphasizes transparency and accessibility, with approximately 12 polling locations countywide.
Education, Employment and Housing
Mineral County, WV, hosts 10 public schools, including Frankfort High and Keyser High. The graduation rate is approximately 88%, while about 13% of adults hold bachelor’s degrees or higher. Schools score around 5–6/10 on GreatSchools ratings. The county invests in Career & Technical Education programs, dual enrollment, and adult education through the Mineral County Adult Learning Center. School safety initiatives include secure entrances and resource officers in every school, contributing to a safe learning environment.
Mineral County, WV, had an unemployment rate of 4.1% in April 2024. Key employment sectors include education, health care (24%), manufacturing (15%), and retail trade (13%). Major occupations are office/administrative support (15%) and production (11%). About 81% of workers commute by car, with an average travel time of 27 minutes; 32% work outside the county, mainly in Allegany County, MD. The labor force participation rate is approximately 54%.
Mineral County, WV, has a homeownership rate of about 79%, with a median home value near $140,000 and median monthly rent around $750. Common housing types include single-family homes, with some apartments mainly in Keyser, the largest city. Neighborhoods like Ridgeley and Fort Ashby offer family-friendly atmospheres and affordable homes. Property values have shown modest annual increases of 2–4% since 2020. Property tax rates average 0.57% of assessed value, among the lowest in the state, making Mineral County an attractive, affordable option for both buyers and renters.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Mineral County, WV had a population of 26,938. Approximately 20% of residents were under 18, while 20% were aged 65 or older; the median age was about 44. The gender distribution is nearly balanced, with 50.2% female and 49.8% male. Racially, the county is predominantly White (92.6%), with Black or African American (4.1%), two or more races (2.1%), and smaller percentages of other groups; Hispanic or Latino residents make up 1.4% of the population.
County Crime & Safety
Mineral County, WV, reports lower crime rates compared to national averages. In 2022, the violent crime rate was approximately 2.5 per 1,000 residents, while property crime stood near 8.7 per 1,000. Reports indicate a steady decrease in incidents over the past five years, attributed to active law enforcement efforts and community programs. The Mineral County Sheriff’s Office encourages prompt reporting, with clearance rates for violent crimes around 70%. Overall, Mineral County is considered safer than 60% of U.S. counties, making it a relatively secure place to live and work.
Popular names
- Rebecca Smith
- John Smith
- Michael Smith
- David Davis
- Karen Smith
- Mary Jones
- Richard Saville
- Robert Smith
- Amy Smith
- Daniel Brown
- David Evans
- Donald Kelley
- James Arnold
- James Smith
- Jerry Snyder
- Justin Smith
- Michael Miller
- Michael Powell
- Robert Evans
- Robert Miller
- William Davis
- William Ludwick
- Adora Williamson
- Amanda Roby
- Amy Riggleman
- Angel Moats
- Arthur Strietbeck
- Ashley Paugh
- Barbara Cox
- Brenda Rizer
- Brian Liller
- Carol Whetzel
- Christa Griffith
- Crystal Smith
- Daniel Michael
- David Keplinger
- David Long
- Debra Smith
- Diana Martin
- Donald Harris
- Donna Haines
- Donna Vogel
- Eric Clark
- Frank Smith
- Gary Welch
- Gregory Michael
- James Dawson
- James Fisher
- James Lewis
- James Miller
- Jason Evans
- Jessica Paugh
- John Baker
- John Loar
- John Long
- John White
- Joshua Crowe
- Julie Harvey
- Karen Miller
- Kenneth Baker
Other Counties in West Virginia
- Barbour
- Berkeley
- Boone
- Braxton
- Brooke
- Cabell
- Calhoun
- Clay
- Doddridge
- Fayette
- Gilmer
- Grant
- Greenbrier
- Hampshire
- Hancock
- Hardy
- Harrison
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Kanawha
- Lewis
- Lincoln
- Logan
- Marion
- Marshall
- Mason
- Mcdowell
- Mercer
- Mingo
- Monongalia
- Monroe
- Morgan
- Nicholas
- Ohio
- Pendleton
- Pleasants
- Pocahontas
- Preston
- Putnam
- Raleigh
- Randolph
- Ritchie
- Roane
- Summers
- Taylor
- Tucker
- Tyler
- Upshur
- Wayne
- Webster