The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 26430 sells for about $125,000, or $78 per square foot.
Prices are down 2.1% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 84 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $659 a month.
ZIP 26430 — Sand Fork
The 26430 housing market is a low-volume, rural market characterized by stable but modest pricing. Demand is limited by the area's remote location and declining population, resulting in longer days on market and a reliance on local, long-term residents rather than speculative investment.
This ZIP is best suited for budget-conscious buyers, retirees, or those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle who are comfortable with a car-dependent commute to regional employment centers.
Median prices moved down 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 84 days on market with 6.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
15% 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 0.0% · poverty 23.6% — 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 3.1%/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 2.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 26430, Gilmer County WV
Crime rates in the Sand Fork and surrounding Gilmer County area are generally low compared to national averages, with property-related incidents being the primary concern.
Public schools serving the area are part of the Gilmer County School District, which provides rural educational services with limited extracurricular offerings.
The area is subject to seasonal flood risks near the Little Kanawha River and its tributaries, with standard wildfire and wind exposure typical of the Appalachian region.
Economic momentum is limited, with the local economy primarily supported by small-scale agriculture, local government, and regional service industries.
Property taxes are assessed by the Gilmer County Assessor based on 60% of fair market value, with rates determined by local levies and state-mandated school district requirements.
Commutes are primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling via US-33 and I-79 to reach employment hubs in Weston or Clarksburg.
Recreational opportunities are centered on outdoor activities, including fishing and boating on the Little Kanawha River and access to nearby state wildlife management areas.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and modest demand, primarily serving local workers and students, with limited short-term rental activity.
The economy is largely driven by local government, education, and small-scale retail, with significant reliance on regional employment centers in neighboring counties.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction within the ZIP code.
Parcels are subject to Gilmer County school levies and local fire service fees.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by rural fire protection ratings and flood zone designations near the river.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA 26430 profiles.
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.
- Stonewall Resort4.414.9 mi
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum4.718.7 mi
- Cedar Creek State Park4.75.9 mi
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum4.718.7 mi
- Flatwoods Monster Museum4.615.2 mi
- The West Virginia Bigfoot Museum4.615.2 mi
- The Museum Of American Glass in West Virginia4.718.9 mi
- Mountaineer Military Museum4.819.1 mi
- Cedar Creek State Park4.75.9 mi
- Sutton Lake Marina4.516 mi
- Burnsville Docks4.87.9 mi
- The Marina at Stonewall Resort4.514.7 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Provides local access for fishing and recreational boating.
Located nearby, offering camping, hiking trails, and swimming facilities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.