Español

Este sitio también está en español. Leer en español

City · 5,729 residents · Jefferson County, West Virginia

Ranson , West Virginia

In Ranson, a typical home is worth $242,700 and typical rent is $1,536 a month. Compared with all of Jefferson County, typical rent is 39% higher, the typical home value is 31% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 8 points lower.

WhatsApp

  • Typical home value

    $242,700

    31% below the county

    49% above West Virginia

    • Ranson
    • Jefferson
    • West Virginia

  • Typical rent

    $1,536a month

    39% above the county

    76% above West Virginia

    • Ranson
    • Jefferson
    • West Virginia

  • Typical household income

    $89,523a year

    9% below the county

    50% above West Virginia

    • Ranson
    • Jefferson
    • West Virginia

  • Households that own their home

    72%

    8 points below the county

    3 points below West Virginia

    • Ranson
    • Jefferson
    • West Virginia

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$316,736
3.1% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,078 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Ranson is in Jefferson County. The FHA loan limit ($1,249,125 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Jefferson County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Ranson apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Ranson has the highest typical rent of the 31 cities in West Virginia with more than 5,000 people: $1,536.

  2. Ranson has the smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 30 cities in West Virginia with more than 5,000 people: 28%.

  3. Nearby, in Elkins, the typical rent is $903: 41% less than in Ranson ($1,536).

  4. Nearby, in Elkins, the typical home value is $152,700: 37% less than in Ranson ($242,700).

  5. The typical home in Ranson is worth $242,700, 31% less than in Jefferson County as a whole ($350,800).

  6. 72% of households in Ranson own their home, against 80% in Jefferson County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Ranson

What homes there are in Ranson, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses are the majority in Ranson (51%), but less so than in Jefferson County (77%).

Year built

Homes in Ranson are newer: the typical year built is 1998; in Jefferson County, 1991.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,602 a month

Jefferson County: $1,811 a month

Without a mortgage

$380 a month

Jefferson County: $488 a month

Owners with a mortgage

81%

Jefferson County: 71%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Ranson is $1,602 a month, less than in Jefferson County ($1,811); without one, $380.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Homes in Ranson gained value more slowly than in Jefferson County: 32% since 2015–2019, against 39%.

Rent in Ranson moved so little since 2015–2019 that the Census cannot say whether it rose or fell.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureRansonJefferson CountyWest VirginiaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate6.7%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.2%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.8%1.3%3.4%
People per household 2.442.552.372.53
Drive alone 73%70%78%69%
Carpool 12%9%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate0%1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%3%3%
Work from home 13%17%9%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate30 to 39 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Jefferson County, a household in Ranson has 2.44 people on average.

To get to work, 73% of workers in Ranson drive alone; in Jefferson County, 70%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Ranson?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Ranson, worth $242,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 26% of the typical household income in Ranson, which is $89,523 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Jefferson County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Ranson. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $8,495 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,950

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$238,304
Total interest
$342,863
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,099 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,089 a month

    Your payment · 26%

  • Tight

    $2,089 to $2,686 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,686 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Ranson ($89,523 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,950
Principal & interest$1,614
Property tax$127
Home insurance$101
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$107

You need at least $8,495 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Ranson and Jefferson County

Ranson is in Jefferson County, West Virginia. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Ranson's own numbers

Typical home value
$242,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,536
Typical yearly household income
$89,523
Households that own their home
72%
Effective property tax rate
0.63%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Jefferson County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,249,125
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,249,125
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,376
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+52%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.4%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Jefferson County.

Everything about Jefferson County

Buying

Buying a home in Ranson

A typical home in Ranson is worth $242,700: 31% below the county and 49% above West Virginia. With the typical household income in Ranson ($89,523 a year), a typical home costs 2.7 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Ranson 2.7 years
  • Jefferson 3.6 years
  • West Virginia 2.7 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Jefferson County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Jefferson County rose 80% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Jefferson County.

Period County West Virginia U.S.
Last year (2025) +1.0% +4.1% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +52% +40% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +80% +54% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Ranson next to Jefferson County, West Virginia and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Ranson $242,700
  • Jefferson $350,800
  • West Virginia $162,600
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Ranson $1,536
  • Jefferson $1,108
  • West Virginia $872
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Ranson $89,523
  • Jefferson $98,806
  • West Virginia $59,608
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Ranson next to Jefferson County and West Virginia
Measure Ranson Jefferson County West Virginia U.S.
Typical home value $242,700 $350,800 $162,600 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,536 $1,108 $872 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $89,523 $98,806 $59,608 $80,734
Households that own their home 72% 80% 75% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,528 $1,857 $865 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.63% 0.53% 0.53% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 28% 41% 49% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Jefferson County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Ranson

For a typical $242,700 home in Ranson, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Ranson's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,950a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $8,495
    Cash to close
    $15,776
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $107

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,906a month

    Down payment
    $12,135
    Cash to close
    $19,416
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $115

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,544a month

    Down payment
    $48,540
    Cash to close
    $55,821
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,768a month

    Down payment
    $36,405
    Cash to close
    $43,686
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Ranson and for Jefferson County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Ranson

0.63%of the home’s value each year

$1,528 a year for the typical owner in Ranson.

  • Ranson 0.63%
  • Jefferson 0.53%
  • West Virginia 0.53%

What West Virginia publishes $20,000 homestead exemption for owners 65 or older or disabled (West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code))

Exemptions and deadlines in West Virginia

Flood risk in Jefferson County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Jefferson County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
2.4%
465
Of those, with NFIP insurance
24%
County West Virginia U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2.4% 8.1% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 24% 10% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Ranson

Typical rent in Ranson is $1,536 a month: 39% above the county. In Ranson, 28% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Jefferson County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,376 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $26.46 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Jefferson County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,045 $20.10 $41,800
1 bedroom $1,052 $20.23 $42,080
2 bedrooms $1,376 $26.46 $55,040
3 bedrooms $1,879 $36.13 $75,160
4 bedrooms $2,300 $44.23 $92,000

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Ranson

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Ranson has 2 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,360 in 25438 to $1,480 in 25430.

1 of the 2 is above the fair market rent for Jefferson County ($1,376).

  • 25430 $1,480$2,020
  • 25438 $1,360$1,860

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Ranson when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Ranson

HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Ranson. These are the largest.

  • Apple Tree Gardens 102 Apple Tree Garden Rd, Ranson 25438 93 low-income homes · For families (304) 725-1658
  • Apple Tree Gardens Apts 821 N Mildred St, Ranson 25438 93 low-income homes · Studio: 12 · 1 bd: 50 · In service since 2012 · For families
  • Cranes Meadow Apts Phase I 229 Autumn Dr, Ranson 25438 64 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 28 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 1998
  • Cranes Meadow Apts Phase II 229 Autumn Dr, Ranson 25438 50 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 1999

See all 13 buildings in Jefferson County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Ranson

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Jefferson County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man smiles on a bench outside his apartment building.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Ranson

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Ranson or Jefferson County. The ones below are statewide in West Virginia: they work in Ranson the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in West Virginia

  • Low Down Home Loan

    Statewide in West Virginia

    West Virginia state fund loan of up to $12,000 for the down payment and closing costs, over 15 years at 2% interest, only with the Homeownership Program mortgage. Offered by West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF).

    Repayable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Ranson

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Ranson, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Telamon Corporation - Martinsburg Branch

    67 Aikens Ctr, Martinsburg · 13 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 9 more
    (304) 263-0916

  • Homeownership Center, Inc.

    2276 Randolph Ave, Elkins · 108 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 7 more
    (304) 636-9115

  • The Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority

    103 12th St, Fairmont · 122 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Home improvement and repairs
    • and 5 more
    (304) 363-0860

All counseling agencies in West Virginia

Help in Spanish near Ranson

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Ranson

HUD lists no housing authority with an office in Jefferson County. One in a neighboring county or the state’s may serve the area.

All housing agencies in West Virginia Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Jefferson County

These cities are also in Jefferson County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Jefferson County Housing in West Virginia

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Ranson, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Jefferson County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Ranson.

All guides
A family walks a boardwalk trail in the forest; one of them uses a wheelchair.

Questions

Housing questions about Ranson

Short answers with the numbers for Ranson and all of Jefferson County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Ranson?

The typical home value in Ranson is $242,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Jefferson County it is $350,800.

How much does it cost to rent in Ranson?

Typical rent in Ranson is $1,536 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Jefferson County is $1,376.

What is the FHA loan limit in Ranson?

Ranson uses the FHA limit for all of Jefferson County (2026): $1,249,125 for a one-unit home and $2,402,625 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Ranson?

The typical homeowner in Ranson pays $1,528 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.63% of the home’s value; in Jefferson County, the rate is 0.53%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Ranson?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Jefferson County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).