Can households afford energy in West Virginia?
4th of 51. All West Virginia households: 3.1% ($2,214 of $71,660). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 25.1% on $7,111. Renters 4.2%, owners 2.9%.
West Virginia burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in West Virginia: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 30% of homes (212,050 of 716,040).
West Virginia burden, % of income
- 25.1Under 30%
- 8.930% to 60%
- 5.760% to 80%
- 4.580% to 100%
- 2.1Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in West Virginia down to 6% takes $1,356 off its $1,783 energy cost, or $22,606 more income.
West Virginia income, cost and burden
| Bracket | West Virginia homes | Share | West Virginia income | Electric | All energy | West Virginia burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 84,146 | 12% | $7,111 | $1,320 | $1,783 | 25.1% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 127,904 | 18% | $22,021 | $1,391 | $1,969 | 8.9% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 75,792 | 11% | $37,592 | $1,485 | $2,139 | 5.7% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 68,331 | 10% | $48,724 | $1,533 | $2,193 | 4.5% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 359,868 | 50% | $115,926 | $1,708 | $2,422 | 2.1% | 1.6% |
| All | 716,040 | 100% | $71,660 | $1,565 | $2,214 | 3.1% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in West Virginia
Renters pay $1,456 on $34,273 (4.2%); owners $2,478 on $84,686 (2.9%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: electricity, 45% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 6.2%.
| West Virginia heating fuel | Homes | Share | West Virginia income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 324,562 | 45.3% | $69,832 | $2,093 | 3.0% |
| Utility gas | 292,653 | 40.9% | $77,072 | $2,119 | 2.8% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 36,950 | 5.2% | $70,523 | $3,456 | 4.9% |
| Fuel oil | 17,151 | 2.4% | $57,326 | $3,583 | 6.2% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 44,724 | 6.2% | $55,948 | $2,164 | 3.9% |
Your burden against West Virginia
Help and shutoff rules in West Virginia
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 45,270 homes, 21 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $35,169,635, $166 per such home.
Eligibility listed: 60% State Median Income; (Households of 8 or more at 150% Federal Poverty Level) Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Le.
Benefits listed: Heating: $1 minimum, $10,000 maximum Cooling: $1 minimum, $10,000 maximum Winter Crisis: $2,000 maximum Weatherization: .
- West Virginia LIHEAP office, phone 304-205-6357
- Clearinghouse snapshot, West Virginia
- West Virginia help with your bill
Cold-weather clause: Nov 1-Mar 31 is a 'Seasonal Time Period': no ban, but utility must make three personal-contact attempts (incl. an on-site visit) instead of two. Separately, service may not be discontinued on a day the NWS predicts 32 F or colder at or near the service location.
Read: W. Va. CSR 150-3 (Rules for the Government of Electric Utilities), Rule 4.8 (utility discontinuance of service), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your West Virginia utility.
Highest-burden West Virginia counties
55 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: McDowell County at 7.0%, lowest of the 55: Monongalia County at 1.7%.
| West Virginia county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDowell County | 6,547 | $38,116 | $2,658 | 7.0% | 18.3% |
| Mingo County | 9,093 | $49,803 | $2,564 | 5.2% | 16.1% |
| Webster County | 3,010 | $52,595 | $2,687 | 5.1% | 15.8% |
| Wyoming County | 7,724 | $51,900 | $2,562 | 4.9% | 14.4% |
| Pocahontas County | 2,951 | $52,471 | $2,559 | 4.9% | 13.9% |
| Summers County | 4,890 | $55,271 | $2,685 | 4.9% | 13.5% |
| Monroe County | 4,596 | $62,051 | $2,863 | 4.6% | 16.5% |
| Logan County | 12,375 | $58,312 | $2,666 | 4.6% | 14.3% |
Next to West Virginia in the ranking
More
Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do West Virginia households spend on energy?
3.1% for all households ($2,214 of $71,660) and 11.8% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in West Virginia?
Households under 30% of median income: 25.1%, 84,146 homes spending $1,783 on $7,111.
How many West Virginia homes get LIHEAP heating help?
45,270 in FY2024, 21 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole West Virginia energy burden?
No: electricity is 2.2% of 3.1%; gas and other fuel are the rest.