Pocahontas County, West Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.0 | 7,765 people · 54th most distressed in West Virginia
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Pocahontas County, WV falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.0 — 2420th 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 54th of 55 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pocahontas County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 86.3 — worse than roughly 86% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 86.3
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 83
Income vs. State Median 88
Child Poverty Rate 79
Disability Rate 88
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 48.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 54
Rent-to-Income Ratio 73
Business Formation Rate 9
House Price Change (YoY) 28
Consumer Credit Distress 31.2
Debt in Collections 43
Medical Debt 60
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 37
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 18
Legal Distress 18.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 19
Housing Cost Burden 16.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 28
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 22
Homeownership Rate 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pocahontas County
Pocahontas County, WV 36.0 Normal —
Webster County, WV 70.5 Serious +34.5
Randolph County, WV 61.1 Elevated +25.1
Greenbrier County, WV 54.6 Elevated +18.6
Pendleton County, WV 39.1 Normal +3.0
Highland County, VA 38.3 Normal +2.3
Bath County, VA 30.1 Healthy -5.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pocahontas County
Decatur County, KS 35.9 Normal -0.1
Lewis County, ID 35.9 Normal -0.1
Valley County, MT 35.9 Normal -0.1
Ontonagon County, MI 35.9 Normal -0.1
Bland County, VA 36.2 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pocahontas 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 Pocahontas 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 Pocahontas County, West Virginia?

    Pocahontas County has a County Distress Index score of 36.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,420th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 54th in West Virginia out of 55 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pocahontas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pocahontas County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 86.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Pocahontas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pocahontas County (36.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Webster County, WV (70.5); Randolph County, WV (61.1); Greenbrier County, WV (54.6).

  • 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). Pocahontas County's score of 36.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Pocahontas 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 Pocahontas County?

    Pocahontas County, West Virginia has a population of approximately 7,765 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.