The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 26257 sells for about $145,000, or $98 per square foot.
Prices are up +3.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 112 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $850 a month.
ZIP 26257 — Coalton
The housing market in 26257 is characterized by low inventory and slow turnover, typical of a rural West Virginia community. Prices remain affordable and have seen modest, steady appreciation, driven by local demand rather than speculative investment. The market is stable with little evidence of significant new development or rapid price shifts.
This ZIP is best suited for retirees and long-term residents seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with affordable housing costs, rather than commuters or investors looking for high-growth opportunities.
Median prices moved up 3.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 112 days on market with 6.5 months of supply — a slower-moving 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 3.7% — 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 3.7%/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 3.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 26257, Randolph County WV
Crime rates in the Coalton area are generally low and consistent with rural Randolph County trends, remaining well below national averages for violent and property crime.
Schools serving the area are part of the Randolph County School District, which provides standard public education services for the region.
The area is subject to typical Appalachian weather risks, including localized flooding in low-lying areas and winter storm impacts; property insurance remains available but premiums are sensitive to regional wildfire and flood risk assessments.
Economic momentum is modest, driven primarily by local government, education, and small-scale service industries, with limited large-scale commercial development.
Property taxes are administered by Randolph County based on assessed values; the state of West Virginia utilizes a statewide assessment formula with specific exemptions for homesteads and seniors.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents typically driving to Elkins for employment, services, and retail needs.
The area offers access to the Monongahela National Forest for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing, with basic shopping and dining located in nearby Elkins.
The rental market is limited in depth, consisting mostly of single-family homes with low turnover and stable, modest rent growth.
The local economy is anchored by public sector employment, healthcare, and regional tourism associated with the surrounding national forest.
Transportation is entirely road-based, relying on local state routes for access to the broader regional highway network.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction within the ZIP code.
The Randolph County Assessor manages property valuations, typically reassessing based on market sales data and state-mandated cycles.
Parcels are subject to county-level school and emergency service levies, with no significant MUD or PID presence.
Property insurance markets are stable, though premiums are influenced by regional wildfire and flood risk factors common to West Virginia.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 26257 profile.
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.
Extensive public lands offering hiking, hunting, and scenic recreation.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.