countyscore
57.6
County Score
Water Quality 86Safety 73Weather & Climate 63.3

County Report Card

About Ballard County, Kentucky

Strong National Standing

Ballard County holds a 56.1 composite score, outperforming the national median of 50.0. This indicates a level of livability that exceeds many of its peers across the country.

Close to Kentucky Midpoint

At 56.1, the county sits just below the Kentucky state average of 58.6. It remains a competitive option in the western part of the state.

Clean Water and Secure Living

The county earns an impressive 86.0 for Water quality and a strong 73.0 for Safety. These foundational strengths provide a reliable environment for local families.

Education and Health Focus

School and Health scores, at 41.5 and 43.0 respectively, show areas where the county could enhance public services. These figures highlight a need for continued investment in community well-being.

Reliable Rural Living

Ballard County suits those who prioritize safety and clean infrastructure in a rural setting. It offers a stable, low-stress lifestyle for long-term residents.

2040608010057.161.2734341.551.760.48663.3Tax57.1Cost61.2Safety73Health43Schools41.5Income51.7Risk60.4Water86Weather63.357.6/100
This county
National avg
4 above average1 below average

Ballard County DNA

Foverall

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

Ballard County excels in 4 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Water Quality (86/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Schools (41.5/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
57.1
Cost
61.2+13.200000000000003
Safety
73+18
Health
43
Schools
41.5-12.5
Income
51.7
Risk
60.4+13.399999999999999
Water
86+28
Weather
63.3
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Think property taxes are too high in Ballard County?

Many homeowners in Ballard County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$145,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$817/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$145,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,164/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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
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Nearby counties

Pulaski County
Illinois
60.2
Carlisle County
Kentucky
63.9
Alexander County
Illinois
61
Mississippi County
Missouri
37.4
McCracken County
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45.5
Massac County
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44.9
Johnson County
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65.3
Scott County
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53.6

Deep Dives

Ballard County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ballard County

via TaxByCounty

Ballard taxes above national norm

Ballard County's 0.803% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.85%, placing it squarely in the upper tier of American counties for property tax burden. The median annual tax of $1,067 remains well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values despite higher rates.

Above Kentucky state average

At 0.803%, Ballard County's effective rate surpasses Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, ranking it among the state's higher-tax counties. Homeowners pay a median of $1,067 compared to the state median of $1,093, remaining close to the statewide benchmark.

Steepest rate in far-western region

Ballard County's 0.803% rate edges out most western Kentucky neighbors, though it trails Anderson County's 0.796%—making it effectively tied for the region's highest burden. Residents in nearby Graves and Hickman counties face similar pressures.

What $132,900 home costs annually

A median Ballard County home valued at $132,900 generates approximately $1,067 in annual property taxes. With mortgage and insurance included, effective annual tax costs reach about $1,243.

Reassessment can ease burden

Ballard County's above-average tax rates make assessment accuracy especially important for homeowners. Requesting a professional reappraisal or filing a timely appeal can reduce tax bills by several hundred dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ballard County

via IncomeByCounty

Ballard County Income: 13% Below National

Ballard County's median household income of $64,740 falls about $10,000 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it firmly in the middle-income range nationally. The county's earnings reflect typical conditions for Western Kentucky agricultural and small-manufacturing communities.

Above Kentucky's State Average

Ballard County's $64,740 median household income exceeds Kentucky's state average of $55,909 by roughly $8,800, ranking the county in the upper half statewide. Per capita income of $34,469 also tops the state average of $29,616 by 16%.

Strong Performer Among Western Kentucky Peers

Ballard County's income surpasses Adair ($50,316), Bath ($54,128), and Barren ($49,171) while trailing Anderson County ($71,747) and Boone County ($94,752). The county's performance reflects a relatively stable economic base in Western Kentucky's agricultural region.

Housing Affordability Is Solid

At 15.3% rent-to-income ratio, Ballard County residents maintain excellent housing affordability, well below the 30% threshold. A median home value of $132,900 is highly accessible for households earning the county median, freeing resources for savings and investments.

Build Wealth Through Disciplined Saving

Ballard residents with median household income can comfortably set aside 12–18% for savings and investments after housing and living expenses. Work with a financial advisor to establish homeownership goals, retirement accounts, and education savings while leveraging affordable housing market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Ballard County

via CrimeByCounty

Ballard County Maintains Secure Environment

With a safety score of 99.0, Ballard County is significantly safer than the national average. Its total crime rate of 645.8 per 100,000 residents is less than a third of the U.S. rate of 2,385.5.

Solid Rankings Within Kentucky

Ballard County outperforms the Kentucky average safety score of 98.8 with its own score of 99.0. Its total crime rate of 645.8 also remains lower than the statewide average of 786.2.

Understanding Local Crime Reporting

Data for Ballard County comes from a single reporting agency, which warrants careful interpretation. Despite this, the reported crime rate of 645.8 suggests a safer environment than many surrounding areas.

Property Offenses vs Violent Incidents

Property crime occurs at a rate of 568.3 per 100,000 residents. Violent crime sits at 77.5, which is very close to the Kentucky state average of 78.1.

Safety Precautions for Rural Homes

Because property crime is the most common incident type, securing entry points is essential. Residents should ensure that outbuildings and equipment are locked and well-monitored.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Ballard County

via SoilByCounty

River-Influenced Soil Roots

Detailed pH and taxonomic data are missing for Ballard County in the current records. This western Kentucky region is heavily influenced by the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, historically producing diverse silt-rich soils.

Navigating Western Silt

The specific percentages of sand, silt, and clay are not currently available for this area. Local soils in this river valley often transition between sandy deposits and heavy silt, providing various agricultural opportunities.

Rich River Potential

Measurement data for organic matter and water capacity is not recorded at this time. Despite the missing numbers, the region is famous for high agricultural productivity supported by centuries of river-borne nutrients.

Understanding Local Drainage

Formal drainage classifications are currently unavailable for this county. Site-specific testing is recommended for any major planting or construction projects near the river's influence.

Long Seasons in Zone 7a

Located in hardiness zone 7a, the county enjoys a mild climate and a generous growing window. Try planting summer favorites like watermelons or sweet corn to celebrate the local climate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Ballard County

via LawnByCounty

Lawn Care in Ballard County

While Ballard County lacks a specific difficulty score, its location in Hardiness Zone 7a defines its growing potential. Residents here face different challenges than the state average of 66.3, particularly regarding water management and heat resilience.

Adapting to Local Climate Trends

Local climate data is currently limited for this county, but nearby regions typically experience the humid, transition-zone weather common to Western Kentucky. Homeowners should monitor local weather stations to adjust their mowing and watering schedules accordingly.

Testing Soil for Better Results

Specific soil metrics are not available for this area, but transition-zone lawns generally benefit from a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A professional soil test is the best first step to determine what nutrients your specific yard may be missing.

Urgent Water Management Needed

Ballard County has faced significant dryness, with 13 weeks in drought over the last year and 100% of the county currently classified as abnormally dry. Watering early in the morning is essential to prevent evaporation and keep grass alive during this dry spell.

Resilient Grass Varieties

Given the current dry conditions in Zone 7a, heat-tolerant grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia are smart choices. These varieties can go dormant during extreme dry spells and recover once the rainfall returns to normal levels.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ballard County's county score?
Ballard County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 57.6 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 Ballard County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Ballard County ranks #74 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 Ballard County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Ballard County is $1,065, with an effective tax rate of 0.73%. This earns Ballard County a tax score of 57.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ballard County?
The median household income in Ballard County, Kentucky is $66,164 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ballard County earns an income score of 51.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ballard County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Ballard County scores 57.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #74 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Ballard 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 Ballard 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.