CountyScore

Adair County

Kentucky · KY

#39 in Kentucky
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Adair County, Kentucky

Adair outpaces national median by 53%

Adair County's composite score of 76.3 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties overall. This strong national performance reflects the county's particular advantages in tax burden and housing affordability, where it scores 83.0 and 86.2 respectively.

Slightly ahead of Kentucky's typical county

With a score of 76.3, Adair edges above Kentucky's state average of 75.0, positioning it as a solid performer among the commonwealth's counties. The county ranks among the state's more livable rural communities, though several larger counties offer different advantage profiles.

Affordability and tax efficiency shine

Adair County excels in keeping costs down, with the fourth-highest cost score (86.2) and strong tax score (83.0) reflecting an effective tax rate of just 0.684%. Median rent of $775/month and home values around $134,800 make this county highly accessible to budget-conscious families and retirees.

Income levels lag significantly behind

The county's income score of 16.2 signals a substantial weakness, with median household income at $50,316—notably below the state and national trends. Data on schools, health, safety, and environmental factors are not yet available, limiting a fuller assessment of quality-of-life factors.

Best for budget-first, income-flexible households

Adair County suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low housing costs and favorable tax treatment over higher local wages. The strong affordability profile makes it an attractive option for those with fixed incomes or earnings from outside the county.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax83Cost86.2SafetyComing SoonHealth64.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.2Risk60.6WaterComing Soon
🏛83
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡60.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Adair County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723

Deep Dives

Adair County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Adair County

via TaxByCounty

Adair's taxes rank low nationally

At 0.684%, Adair County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.85%, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $922 annually is less than a third of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower home values and gentler tax rates.

Below average for Kentucky

Adair County's 0.684% effective rate undercuts Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, ranking it in the lower half of the state's 120 counties. Homeowners here pay a median of $922 compared to the state median of $1,093.

Competitive with regional peers

Adair's rate of 0.684% edges out nearby Allen County (0.551%) but trails Barren County (0.726%) and Bath County (0.731%) in the south-central region. Among central Kentucky counties, Adair remains a moderate-tax jurisdiction.

What $134,800 home costs annually

A typical Adair County home valued at $134,800 generates roughly $922 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages may see an effective combined bill of $1,192 once insurance and principal are factored in.

Challenge your assessment

Many Kentucky homeowners, including those in Adair County, discover their homes are overassessed during county revaluations. Requesting a reassessment or appealing your valuation can yield significant savings—often worth hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Adair County

via CostByCounty

Adair's rents outpace national affordability

Adair County residents spend 18.5% of household income on rent, slightly above the national benchmark where affordability typically maxes out at 15-17%. With a median household income of $50,316—well below the national average of $74,755—housing costs stretch further here than they do for the typical American family.

Middle-of-the-road for Kentucky

Adair's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% ranks it above Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, placing it among less affordable counties across the state. The county's median rent of $775 nearly matches the state average of $771, but lower incomes make the burden comparatively heavier.

Slightly pricier than nearby counties

Adair's median rent of $775 edges ahead of Allen County ($750) and Bath County ($600), though all three are modestly priced compared to more prosperous neighborhoods like Anderson County ($870). Homeownership costs in Adair run about $550 monthly—among the lowest in the region.

Where Adair income goes

Renters in Adair spend about $775 monthly while homeowners pay $550, leaving limited room in a $50,316 annual household budget for other essentials. At 18.5% of income dedicated to rent alone, households here have less flexibility than the national average.

Weighing Adair for your move

If you're relocating on a modest income, Adair offers below-average homeownership costs and rents near state norms, but factor in that median incomes lag the nation significantly. Compare Adair's affordability carefully against counties like Allen or Bath, which offer competitive rent prices for similarly-situated households.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Adair County

via IncomeByCounty

Adair Household Income: Below National Average

Adair County's median household income of $50,316 falls 33% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower income tier nationally. This gap reflects broader economic challenges in rural Kentucky, where agricultural and manufacturing-based economies compete with higher-wage urban centers.

Mid-Tier Ranking Within Kentucky

At $50,316, Adair's median household income ranks below Kentucky's state average of $55,909 but reflects typical conditions for many rural eastern Kentucky counties. The county's per capita income of $27,705 trails the state average of $29,616 by about 6%.

Comparable to Adjacent Rural Counties

Adair's income sits between nearby Barren County ($49,171) and Bath County ($54,128), indicating consistent economic patterns across rural south-central Kentucky. The county outpaces Bell County ($32,403) but lags behind more prosperous neighbors like Anderson County ($71,747).

Housing Costs Are Manageable Here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 18.5%, Adair County residents dedicate a reasonable portion of earnings to housing—below the 30% affordability threshold. A median home value of $134,800 remains accessible for households earning the county median, though income growth would ease financial strain.

Build Financial Security in Adair County

Adair residents with median household income have room to save after covering housing and basic expenses; prioritize building an emergency fund and exploring employer retirement plans. Consider consulting a financial advisor about homeownership strategies and long-term wealth building tailored to rural Kentucky's economic landscape.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Adair County

via HealthByCounty

Adair lags national life expectancy

Adair County residents live to an average of 71.7 years, about 6.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.2 years. Nearly one in four Adair residents (22.4%) report being in poor or fair health, slightly above the national average of 21%.

Below Kentucky's health average

Adair's 71.7-year life expectancy falls below Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years, placing it among the lower-performing counties statewide. The county's poor/fair health rate of 22.4% mirrors the state burden of chronic illness.

Adair's healthcare access varies

Adair has 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—more than nearby Allen County's 14 but fewer than Anderson County's 29. Mental health support is robust at 275 providers per 100,000, well above most regional peers.

Uninsured rate slightly above state

About 7.4% of Adair residents lack health insurance, compared to the state average of 7.0%. This gap means roughly 200 county residents go without coverage, making preventive care and routine checkups harder to access.

Coverage options available now

If you're among the uninsured in Adair, check Kentucky's health insurance marketplace at kynect.ky.gov to explore plans and subsidies. Many Adair residents qualify for Medicaid or federal tax credits that can cut insurance costs to near zero.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Adair County

via RiskByCounty

Adair's risk is well below national average

Adair County scores 39.44 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting substantially below the national average. This score reflects relatively moderate exposure across most hazard types, with no single threat dominating the county's overall risk profile.

Safer than most Kentucky counties

Adair ranks favorably among Kentucky's 120 counties, with its composite risk score of 39.44 well below the state average of 44.21. The county benefits from low wildfire risk and moderate exposure to other major hazards.

Adair compares well to surrounding areas

Neighboring Allen County (33.33) and Anderson County (26.34) both score lower, while Boone County's 74.46 reflects significantly higher risk. Adair's middle-ground position makes it safer than many peer counties but less protected than its safest neighbors.

Tornadoes and earthquakes pose greatest threat

Tornado risk dominates at 65.74, making severe spring weather a real concern for residents, while earthquake risk at 65.27 reflects the county's position on the map. Flood risk at 44.50 rounds out the top three, though wildfire danger remains minimal at 15.90.

Prioritize tornado and earthquake coverage

Kentucky homeowners typically have basic wind coverage, but Adair residents should verify their policy explicitly covers tornado damage and consider earthquake insurance for added security. Review your coverage annually, especially before severe weather seasons.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.