countyscore
66.6
County Score
Safety 88.9Cost of Living 81.7Property Tax 66.9

County Report Card

About Adair County, Kentucky

Outperforming the National Median

Adair County achieves a composite score of 65.7, significantly outpacing the national median score of 50.0. This performance suggests a higher overall quality of life than the typical American county.

A Top Performer in Kentucky

The county's 65.7 score comfortably exceeds the Kentucky state average of 58.6. It ranks among the state's more desirable rural areas for overall livability.

Exceptional Safety and Low Costs

Public safety is a standout feature with a Safety Score of 88.9. Affordability also excels, marked by a Cost Score of 79.6 and a median monthly rent of just $775.

Opportunities in Health and Income

The Income Score of 15.2 reflects a median household income of $50,316, which trails national benchmarks. Additionally, the Health Score of 37.2 points toward a need for improved wellness outcomes.

Perfect for Quiet, Affordable Living

Adair County best suits families or retirees who value peace and low housing costs. It offers a secure environment where your dollar stretches much further than in the city.

2040608010066.981.788.937.264.918.760.663.463.3Tax66.9Cost81.7Safety88.9Health37.2Schools64.9Income18.7Risk60.6Water63.4Weather63.366.6/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Adair County DNA

D+overall

How Adair County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Adair County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (88.9/100) but notably weak in Income (18.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
66.9+14.900000000000006
Cost
81.7+33.7
Safety
88.9+33.900000000000006
Health
37.2-12.799999999999997
Schools
64.9+10.900000000000006
Income
18.7-32.3
Risk
60.6+13.600000000000001
Water
63.4
Weather
63.3
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Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$150,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$771/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$150,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,553/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.8

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Adair County with McPherson County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

McPherson County
Nebraska
Median income: $58,684
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Median income: $69,768
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Garfield County
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Hancock County
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Hale County
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Monroe County
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Cameron Parish
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Traverse County
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Median income: $62,989
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Nearby counties

Russell County
Kentucky
65.1
Green County
Kentucky
68
Taylor County
Kentucky
58.9
Metcalfe County
Kentucky
64.4
Cumberland County
Kentucky
72.7
Casey County
Kentucky
67.1
Clinton County
Kentucky
70.8
Marion County
Kentucky
62.4

Deep Dives

Adair County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Adair County

via CrimeByCounty

Adair County Among the Nation’s Safest

Adair County maintains an exceptional safety score of 99.6 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 232.9 per 100,000 residents is roughly ten times lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

A Leader in Kentucky Public Safety

The county's safety score of 99.6 comfortably exceeds the Kentucky state average of 98.8. With total crime at 232.9, Adair presents a much lower risk profile than the state average of 786.2.

Setting the Standard for Neighboring Counties

Adair County outperforms many regional peers with a crime rate significantly below the state average. This low incidence of crime highlights the county as a standout for safety in south-central Kentucky.

Low Risk Across Crime Categories

Property crime accounts for 174.7 incidents per 100,000 people, while violent crime remains low at 58.2. These figures represent a fraction of the national rates for both property and violent offenses.

Maintaining a Secure Adair County Home

While crime rates are remarkably low, basic home security remains a smart preventative measure. Residents can maintain this safe environment by keeping homes well-lit and reporting unusual activity.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Adair County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Humid Subtropical Environment

Adair County receives 50.1 inches of annual precipitation, which is significantly higher than the national median. While local temperature averages are unavailable, the county's lush landscape reflects the moisture-rich climate of the American South.

Mirroring Kentucky's Statewide Averages

Adair is a near-perfect representative of the Bluegrass State's water patterns, with 50.1 inches of rain compared to the state average of 50.6. This consistent moisture supports the county's vibrant agricultural and forest lands.

Regional Trends in South-Central Kentucky

Adair sits near Allen and Barren counties, which also experience high annual rainfall exceeding 53 inches. While specific heat data is limited here, nearby trends suggest the county avoids the most extreme temperature spikes found further south.

A Year Defined by Consistent Moisture

Residents experience 50.1 inches of precipitation spread across four distinct seasons. Although specific snowfall and heat-day totals are unavailable, the county maintains a humid character throughout the year.

Preparing for a Wet Local Climate

With over 50 inches of rain, robust gutter systems and basement waterproofing are essential home maintenance tasks. Local gardens thrive in this moisture, though a backup irrigation plan helps during the occasionally dry autumn months.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Adair County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic and Silty Adair Soils

Adair County soil has a pH of 5.51, which is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5. This level also falls below the Kentucky state average of 5.80, requiring lime for most garden crops.

A Dominance of Silt

The soil contains 60.3% silt, 20.1% sand, and 19.6% clay. This high silt content provides a smooth texture but makes the ground susceptible to compaction under heavy machinery or foot traffic.

Managing Moderate Fertility

Organic matter measures 1.81%, trailing the state average of 3.55% significantly. However, the available water capacity of 0.186 in/in matches the Kentucky state average exactly, ensuring decent moisture retention.

Navigating Local Water Flow

Specific drainage class data is unavailable for this area, but the overall soil score of 44.8 is lower than the state average of 56.2. Farmers should prioritize soil health improvements to boost agricultural productivity.

Southern Kentucky Growing Power

Hardiness zone 7a allows for a long growing season that favors heat-loving summer vegetables. Start a garden with tomatoes or peppers to take advantage of the generous local sunshine.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Adair County

via LawnByCounty

Adair County Lawn Care Overview

Adair County earns a lawn difficulty score of 59.6, indicating it is harder to maintain grass here than in the average Kentucky county. While this score beats the national median of 50.0, the local Zone 7a climate presents more challenges than the state average of 66.3.

Consistent Rainfall Supports Growth

The county receives 50.1 inches of annual precipitation, which is perfectly in line with the Kentucky state average. This ample rainfall sits at the high end of the ideal 30-50 inch range for healthy turf, reducing the need for heavy irrigation.

Correcting Acidic Soil for Success

With a soil pH of 5.51, Adair's ground is more acidic than the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range for most grasses. The soil composition is nearly balanced with 19.6% clay and 20.1% sand, but regular lime applications are likely necessary to neutralize the acidity.

Managing Moderate Drought Periods

Lawns in this area faced 6 weeks of drought over the past year, though current conditions are stable with 0% of the county being abnormally dry. Deep, infrequent watering is the best strategy here to build resilient roots that can withstand summer dry spells.

Best Grasses for Zone 7a

In Hardiness Zone 7a, tall fescue and zoysia are excellent choices for a durable, green lawn. Plan to seed in early autumn to give your new grass time to establish before the first frost hits the region.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Adair County's county score?
Adair County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 66.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Adair County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Adair County ranks #21 among all counties in Kentucky on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Adair County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Adair County is $971, with an effective tax rate of 0.64%. This earns Adair County a tax score of 66.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Adair County?
The median household income in Adair County, Kentucky is $53,553 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Adair County earns an income score of 18.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Adair County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Adair County scores 66.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #21 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Adair County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Adair County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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