The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 26440 sells for about $165,000, or $112 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.4% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 68 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $950 a month.
ZIP 26440 — Thornton
The housing market in 26440 remains stable with modest price appreciation and limited inventory. Market activity is driven by local demand for affordable housing, though the pace of sales remains slow due to the rural nature of the area. No significant shifts in market sentiment are observed this quarter.
This ZIP is well-suited for budget-conscious family buyers and local workers seeking affordable housing in a rural, community-oriented setting.
Median prices moved up 2.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 68 days on market with 5.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.2% · poverty 2.7% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 26440, Taylor County WV
Crime rates in Grafton are generally lower than the national average, with property crime being the most frequently reported incident type.
Schools in the area are part of the Taylor County School District, which maintains a moderate performance rating compared to state averages.
The area faces moderate risks from seasonal flooding near the Tygart Valley River and occasional severe weather events common to the Appalachian region.
Economic momentum is driven by local government, education, and small-scale manufacturing, with limited large-scale commercial development currently underway.
Property taxes are assessed by Taylor County based on a state-mandated assessment ratio of 60% of fair market value, with specific levies for school and county services.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents often traveling to Clarksburg or Fairmont for employment via US-50 and US-119.
The area features significant outdoor amenities including Tygart Lake State Park, local community parks, and access to regional hiking trails.
The rental market is characterized by high demand for affordable housing, with limited new inventory and stable vacancy rates.
The economy is anchored by public sector employment, healthcare services, and regional retail, with a focus on maintaining local service stability.
Transportation relies on highway corridors; public transit options are extremely limited, necessitating personal vehicle ownership.
Development is focused on small-scale residential infill and maintenance of existing municipal infrastructure.
The Taylor County Assessor manages property valuations, utilizing a cyclical reappraisal process to ensure tax equity.
Parcels are subject to Taylor County school levies and municipal taxes for those within Grafton city limits.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional wildfire and flood risk assessments, remaining generally stable.
Net domestic migration has remained relatively flat, with modest turnover in the local population.
West Virginia is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process.
Sellers are required to provide a residential property disclosure statement covering known material defects.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Major regional attraction offering boating, fishing, and camping.
Features significant architecture and local history museums.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.