The numbers behind Medicare in Jackson County
| Jackson County | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 6,009 | 380,679 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.8% | 21.5% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 7,548 | 458,491 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 4,668 | 259,694 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 61.8% | 56.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 6,009 residents age 65 and older, Jackson County is 22nd among 55 West Virginia counties for older residents. That group is 21.8% of its population, compared with 21.5% across West Virginia. About 2,062 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 58% are 65 to 74, 31% are 75 to 84 and 10% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). About 61.8% of people with Medicare in Jackson County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is higher than the West Virginia average of 56.6%. Averages cannot choose a plan for you. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medigap plan each suit different people, depending on doctors, medicines and how you prefer to handle costs, and we compare both at your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Jackson County
The USDA classifies Jackson County as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area. With fewer hospitals and clinics close by, the right Medicare plan here is often the one whose network includes the providers you can really reach.
CMS counts 7,842 Medicare beneficiaries in Jackson County (2023). Their average age is 71, about the same as the West Virginia average of 72. About 20% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Jackson County, CMS reported about 717 emergency room visits and 247 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (684) and close to it for hospital stays (250). About 8% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Jackson County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Jackson County; we help Jackson County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Jackson County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Jackson County:
- Jackson General Hospital — Ripley (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Where people live in Jackson County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Jackson County at Ravenswood (3,819), Ripley (3,043), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Jackson County, that means areas such as 25231, 25239, 25241, 25244, 25245, 25248, 25252, 25262, 25271, 25275, 26164, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Jackson County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner: West Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Jackson County residents
Here is what we can help Jackson County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance and final expense insurance.
Let’s check your Jackson County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Jackson County compared with similar West Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas County | 5,926 | 64.3% | 22% | Rural |
| Wyoming County | 4,824 | 68.5% | 31% | Rural |
| Mingo County | 4,822 | 69.5% | 35% | Rural |
| Lincoln County | 4,266 | 72.0% | 33% | Rural |
| McDowell County | 4,111 | 67.2% | 44% | Rural |
| Lewis County | 3,471 | 60.5% | 24% | Rural |
See every West Virginia county in our West Virginia directory or go to our West Virginia Medicare hub.