Mason County, West Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.4 | 24,765 people · 40th most distressed in West Virginia
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Mason County, WV falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.4 — 1816th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within West Virginia, it ranks 40th of 55 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mason County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 72.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 72.7
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 78
Income vs. State Median 56
Child Poverty Rate 74
Disability Rate 76
Transfer Income Dependency 87
Consumer Credit Distress 61.3
Debt in Collections 70
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 60
Credit Card Delinquency 94
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 60
Legal Distress 36.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Economic Vitality 28.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 1
Rent-to-Income Ratio 40
Business Formation Rate 92
House Price Change (YoY) 10
Housing Cost Burden 9.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 10
Homeownership Rate 10

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mason County
Mason County, WV 46.4 Normal —
Cabell County, WV 68.2 Serious +21.7
Meigs County, OH 58.8 Elevated +12.3
Gallia County, OH 57.8 Elevated +11.4
Jackson County, WV 48.1 Normal +1.7
Putnam County, WV 46.0 Normal -0.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mason County
Kent County, MD 46.4 Normal -0.0
Parke County, IN 46.4 Normal -0.0
Gilmer County, GA 46.5 Normal +0.1
Mason County, IL 46.5 Normal +0.1
Red Willow County, NE 46.3 Normal -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Mason County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Mason County

Find an Attorney

West Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

West Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 304-558-2456

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Mason County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of West Virginia 1-866-255-4370
Mountain State Justice, Inc. 304-344-3144

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Mason County, West Virginia?

    Mason County has a County Distress Index score of 46.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,816th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 40th in West Virginia out of 55 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mason County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mason County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 72.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Mason County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mason County (46.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Cabell County, WV (68.2); Meigs County, OH (58.8); Gallia County, OH (57.8).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Mason County's score of 46.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Mason County's CDI score?

    Mason County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Mason County?

    Mason County, West Virginia has a population of approximately 24,765 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.