countyscore
59
County Score
Safety 83.6Lawn Care 74.9Disaster Risk 73.7

County Report Card

About Anderson County, Kentucky

Exceeding National Standards

Anderson County’s composite score of 59.6 sits above the national median of 50.0. It maintains a competitive profile across multiple quality-of-life categories.

Slightly Above State Average

The county edges out the Kentucky state average of 58.6 with its 59.6 score. It remains a solid performer among the state's 120 counties.

High Earnings and Strong Safety

The county excels with an Income Score of 70.8, supported by a healthy median household income of $71,747. A Safety Score of 83.6 further enhances its appeal for residents.

Water and Cost Pressures

Water quality and infrastructure, with a score of 39.0, represent a notable challenge for the area. Additionally, a Cost Score of 41.0 reflects higher median home values of $213,200.

Ideal for Working Professionals

Anderson County is best suited for professionals seeking higher Kentucky wages and safe neighborhoods. It provides a suburban feel with strong income potential.

2040608010054.737.383.653.358.872.373.73970.3Tax54.7Cost37.3Safety83.6Health53.3Schools58.8Income72.3Risk73.7Water39Weather70.359/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Anderson County DNA

Foverall

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

Anderson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (83.6/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (39/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
54.7
Cost
37.3-10.700000000000003
Safety
83.6+28.599999999999994
Health
53.3
Schools
58.8
Income
72.3+21.299999999999997
Risk
73.7+26.700000000000003
Water
39-19
Weather
70.3+14.299999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Anderson County

Whether buying or refinancing in Anderson County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$225,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$927/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$225,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,080/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $74,488/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Deep Dives

Anderson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Anderson County

via TaxByCounty

Anderson taxes exceed national average

Anderson County's 0.796% effective tax rate tops the national median of 0.85%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median annual property tax of $1,698 is 63% higher than the national median of $2,690, though this reflects both higher home values and steeper rates.

Highest-taxed Kentucky county profiled

Anderson County's 0.796% effective rate significantly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, ranking among the state's higher-tax jurisdictions. Residents pay a median of $1,698 annually—55% more than the state median of $1,093.

Priciest taxes in central Kentucky

Anderson County's 0.796% rate stands markedly above nearby Woodford, Fayette, and Bourbon counties in the Bluegrass region. This premium reflects both higher property valuations and more aggressive tax rates.

What $213,200 home costs annually

A typical Anderson County home appraised at $213,200 generates approximately $1,698 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage interest, homeowners often see combined annual tax costs approaching $1,839.

High taxes make appeals worthwhile

Anderson County's elevated tax rates make reassessment appeals particularly valuable—even a small percentage reduction yields meaningful savings. Many overassessed homeowners recover $400–$800 annually through successful appeals.

Income & Jobs in Anderson County

via IncomeByCounty

Anderson County Nearly Matches U.S. Income

Anderson County's median household income of $71,747 approaches the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among Kentucky's most prosperous counties. The county trails the national figure by less than 4%, reflecting strong local employment and proximity to Lexington's economic sphere.

Kentucky's Upper Income Tier

At $71,747, Anderson County ranks well above Kentucky's state average of $55,909—a difference of nearly $16,000. Per capita income of $35,161 significantly exceeds the state average of $29,616, indicating broad-based economic strength.

Clear Leader Among Central Kentucky Counties

Anderson County outearns every peer except Boone County ($94,752), surpassing Ballard ($64,740), Bath ($54,128), and Adair ($50,316) by substantial margins. The county's economic advantage reflects diversified employment and strong ties to regional prosperity.

Housing Costs Excellent for Income Level

Anderson residents dedicate only 14.6% of income to rent, the lowest ratio among these eight counties and well below the 30% affordability standard. A median home value of $213,200 is readily achievable for county median earners, enabling wealth-building through homeownership.

Invest for Long-Term Prosperity

Anderson County residents benefit from above-average income that allows 15–20% savings after housing and essentials; maximize employer 401(k) matching and explore investment accounts. Strong local economy and home values make this an excellent time to pursue real estate wealth building and college savings plans.

Safety in Anderson County

via CrimeByCounty

High Safety Standards in Anderson County

Anderson County boasts a safety score of 99.4, far surpassing most U.S. counties. Its total crime rate of 385.9 per 100,000 residents is nearly six times lower than the national average.

Exceeding Kentucky Safety Averages

Anderson County's crime rate of 385.9 is roughly half of the Kentucky state average of 786.2. This performance earns it a safety score of 99.4, well above the statewide average of 98.8.

Strong Safety Profile Among Neighbors

The county maintains a low-crime environment compared to regional averages. Local law enforcement efforts keep both violent and property crime rates in the lower tier for the state.

Violent Crime Remains Exceptionally Rare

The violent crime rate stands at 54.5, which is notably lower than the state average of 78.1. Property crime accounts for 331.4 incidents per 100,000, which is still very low by national standards.

Locking Down Peace of Mind

Anderson County residents enjoy high safety, but property crimes are the most frequent local issue. Utilizing basic alarm systems and neighborhood watch groups can help keep these numbers low.

Soil Quality in Anderson County

via SoilByCounty

Central Kentucky Soil Identity

Specific taxonomic and pH data for Anderson County is currently unlisted in available datasets. However, the region typically shares the characteristic rolling limestone-based soils of the Bluegrass state.

Bluegrass Texture and Mix

While sand, silt, and clay percentages are not recorded for this specific county, local soils often feature a silty loam texture. This classic Kentucky mix generally offers a good balance of drainage and nutrient holding.

Targeting Peak Fertility

Organic matter measurements are currently unavailable for the area. Local growers can aim for the state average of 3.55% organic matter to ensure their plots remain productive and resilient.

Local Hydrology Observation

Official drainage and hydrologic group data are not available in the current records. Observing your own land's response to Kentucky's spring rains is the most reliable way to assess drainage needs.

Planting in Zone 6b

Anderson County sits in hardiness zone 6b, making it ideal for hardy perennials and traditional vegetable patches. Don't let the data gaps stop you—start a garden today with resilient native plants.

Lawn Care in Anderson County

via LawnByCounty

Anderson County's High Success Rate

With a lawn difficulty score of 74.9, Anderson County is one of the easier places in Kentucky to maintain a beautiful lawn. This score is significantly higher than both the state average of 66.3 and the national median of 50.0.

Ideal Precipitation for Greener Grass

The county enjoys 48.1 inches of annual precipitation, which falls perfectly within the ideal 30-50 inch range for healthy lawns. Combined with only 14 extreme heat days per year, the climate is much milder than the state average of 30 heat days.

Nurturing Your Soil Foundation

While specific soil data for Anderson County is limited, maintaining a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is standard practice for the region. Homeowners should test their soil periodically to ensure it has the right balance for Zone 6b conditions.

Short Drought Windows

Last year, this county saw only 4 weeks of drought, which is shorter than many neighboring areas. Currently, there are no dry conditions reported, making it a great time to focus on aeration and overseeding to build lawn density.

Growing Tips for Zone 6b

Cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass thrive in Zone 6b and handle the local winters with ease. Because the summers are relatively mild with only 14 heat days, these varieties can stay green longer into the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anderson County's county score?
Anderson County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 59 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 Anderson County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Anderson County ranks #62 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 Anderson County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Anderson County is $1,697, with an effective tax rate of 0.75%. This earns Anderson County a tax score of 54.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Anderson County?
The median household income in Anderson County, Kentucky is $74,488 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Anderson County earns an income score of 72.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Anderson County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Anderson County scores 59/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #62 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Anderson 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 Anderson County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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