County brief·Updated June 2, 2026

Wayne County, West Virginia Eviction Risk: Low

7 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. The county Eviction Risk Score is held aloft by the city of Kenova (3.7) and a small number of dense urban cores. Rent-control coverage varies by city.

County Risk Score3.3/ 10 · Low

Cities tracked7municipalities

Census tracts11scored

Population8kLiving in 7 cities

Income spent on rent30.9%avg renter household

Average rent$722/ month

How Wayne County ranks in West Virginia

Lower number means more extreme, where #1 is the most

Eviction Risk Score

Moderate

#28 of 55 WV counties 3.3 / 10

#28 of 55 counties in West Virginia for landlord eviction risk.

Cost of living

Very Low

#43 of 51 states (statewide) 89.5 index

West Virginia ranks #43 of 51 states on overall cost of living (10.5% cheaper than the U.S. avg).

Housing services cost

Very Low

#51 of 51 states (statewide) 54.2 index

West Virginia ranks #51 of 51 states on housing services (45.8% cheaper than the U.S. avg).

Income spent on rent

Elevated

#24 of 55 WV counties 31.4% of income

#24 of 55 counties in West Virginia on % of income spent on rent.

Cities in Wayne County

Sorted by Eviction Risk Score · highest first

Map view

	City↕	Population↕	Risk↕	% income on rent↕	Average rent↕	Lean↕
001	Kenova Pop 2,944 · 23.8% income · $647 rent · Rep	2,944	3.6	23.8%	$647	Rep
002	Wayne Pop 1,675 · 41.1% income · $789 rent · Rep	1,675	3.6	41.1%	$789	Rep
003	Ceredo Pop 1,528 · 32.7% income · $765 rent · Rep	1,528	3.3	32.7%	$765	Rep
004	Lavalette Pop 1,005 · 30.9% income · $716 rent · Rep	1,005	2.5	30.9%	$716	Rep
005	Fort Gay Pop 437 · 33.8% income · $726 rent · Rep	437	3.7	33.8%	$726	Rep
006	Prichard Pop 389 · 35.2% income · $820 rent · Rep	389	2.3	35.2%	$820	Rep
007	Crum Pop 187 · 22.2% income · $773 rent · Rep	187	2.6	22.2%	$773	Rep

County heatmap

Geographic distribution

Neighborhoods in Wayne County

Top 1 neighborhoods by population. Click for a pop-weighted risk score and the constituent census tracts.

3 Westmoreland 2 tracts · pop 4,340

Local landlord context

One county, multiple regulatory regimes.

Wayne County spans 7 cities serving approximately 8,165 residents. The average landlord eviction risk across the county is 3.3/10. The county voted Republican by 50.1 points in 2020.

Risk varies city-by-city. The table above shows exact scores, population, and average rent for every municipality. Click any city for the full sub-score breakdown, including local political climate, rent-control exposure, tenant organizing strength, and typical eviction cost and timeline.

Reviewed by NextGen Properties Research Team · Last updated June 2, 2026

Peer counties in West Virginia

Same state, closest by population and Eviction Risk Score

Where eviction risk concentrates in Wayne County

Top cities + top neighborhoods · click any card for the full breakdown

Top cities by population

Top neighborhoods by risk

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Wayne County

What is the eviction risk score for Wayne County?

Wayne County has a county-wide landlord eviction risk score of 3.3/10 (Low), averaged across 7 cities. Scores range from 2.3 to 3.7 within the county.

What is the rent-to-income ratio in Wayne County?

Rent-to-income ratio in Wayne County averages 30.9% of household income on gross rent, per ACS 2023 5-year data.

How many cities are in Wayne County?

7 cities sit in Wayne County, WV, serving approximately 8,165 residents.