CountyScore

Bath County

Kentucky · KY

#19 in Kentucky
73.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Bath County, Kentucky

Bath exceeds national median by 52%

Bath County's composite score of 75.8 substantially outpaces the national median of 50.0, ranking it as a solid performer among U.S. counties. The county's strength in housing affordability (85.6) and favorable taxes (81.7) drive this above-median result.

Just above Kentucky's state average

Bath County scores 75.8, slightly above Kentucky's state average of 75.0, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of Kentucky's county rankings. The county offers reliable livability without ranking among the Commonwealth's very best.

Exceptional housing costs and good tax treatment

Bath County stands out for its cost score of 85.6—the second-highest among these eight counties—with median rent at an exceptionally low $600/month and home values at $111,800. The tax score of 81.7 further enhances affordability.

Modest incomes and limited data on services

Bath County's income score of 18.7 reflects median household income at $54,128, limiting earning power relative to some peer counties. Information on schools, health, safety, and other quality-of-life factors is not yet available.

Perfect for bargain-conscious families

Bath County is ideal for families and individuals seeking maximum housing affordability combined with reasonable taxes, even if incomes are modest. It particularly appeals to those willing to trade earning potential for exceptional cost of living advantages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.7Cost85.6SafetyComing SoonHealth63.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.7Risk86.3WaterComing Soon
🏛81.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡86.3
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 Bath County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gunnison County
Colorado
73.5
Median income: $77,358
Towns County
Georgia
73.5
Median income: $58,400
Latah County
Idaho
73.5
Median income: $65,179
Payette County
Idaho
73.5
Median income: $65,723
Sullivan County
Indiana
73.5
Median income: $54,985

Deep Dives

Bath County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bath County

via TaxByCounty

Bath taxes below U.S. median

Bath County's 0.731% effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 0.85%, placing it comfortably in the lower-to-moderate tier nationwide. With a median property tax of just $817, residents pay less than one-third the national median of $2,690, reflecting rural home values.

Slightly above Kentucky state average

Bath County's 0.731% effective rate marginally exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, ranking it in the moderate range statewide. The median property tax of $817 falls 25% below the state median of $1,093, benefiting from lower valuations.

Competitive with northeast Kentucky

Bath County's 0.731% rate closely mirrors nearby counties in the northeastern mountain region, offering residents a moderate tax environment. Rowan and Menifee counties nearby experience comparable tax burdens.

What $111,800 home costs annually

A typical Bath County home valued at $111,800 generates approximately $817 in annual property taxes—among the lowest in our survey. With mortgage and insurance factored in, annual costs reach about $958.

Don't skip assessment reviews

Even in lower-valued Bath County, overassessment can occur, particularly if properties receive improvements or if recent sales suggest higher market values. Filing an appeal during revaluation can still yield meaningful savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bath County

via CostByCounty

Bath offers Kentucky's best rent value

Bath County's 13.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Kentucky's strongest affordability metrics, sitting well below the national comfort threshold of 15-17%. With a median household income of $54,128, residents enjoy exceptional rent-to-income alignment.

Top tier for Kentucky renters

Bath's 13.3% ratio decisively beats the Kentucky state average of 17.0%, placing it in the state's affordability elite. The county's $600 median rent is the lowest among these peer counties, a significant advantage for cost-conscious renters.

Unmatched rents across the region

Bath's $600 median rent stands $150-270 below neighboring Adair ($775), Allen ($750), and Ballard ($826), offering the best rental value in the region. However, owner costs of $804 monthly suggest a stronger homeownership market than rental market.

Bath's rental bargain explained

Renters spend just $600 monthly—only 13.3% of the $54,128 median income—while homeowners pay $804 or roughly 17.8% of income. This disconnect suggests Bath renters enjoy exceptional value, potentially reflecting an older housing stock or rural location.

Bath is the renter's sweet spot

If you prioritize affordable rents and can accept modest incomes, Bath County delivers unmatched value in Kentucky, with housing costs leaving room for other life priorities. Compare Bath's rental market against homeownership options in more expensive neighbors like Anderson County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bath County

via IncomeByCounty

Bath County Income: 28% Below National

Bath County's median household income of $54,128 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $20,600, placing it squarely in the lower-middle income range nationally. The county's earnings reflect typical conditions in rural Appalachian Kentucky with limited high-wage job opportunities.

Slightly Below Kentucky's Average

Bath County's $54,128 median household income falls just under Kentucky's state average of $55,909 by about $1,800, indicating near-average economic conditions for the state. Per capita income of $28,809 closely mirrors the state average of $29,616.

Mid-Range Among Regional Peers

Bath County's income exceeds Barren ($49,171), Adair ($50,316), and Bell ($32,403) while trailing Allen ($59,029), Ballard ($64,740), and Anderson ($71,747). The county reflects typical economic patterns for rural eastern Kentucky.

Excellent Housing Affordability

Bath County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among these eight counties at 13.3%, well below the 30% affordability threshold. Median home values of $111,800—the lowest in this group—make homeownership highly accessible for residents earning the county median.

Leverage Affordable Housing for Savings

Bath County's exceptionally low housing costs create opportunity to save 15–20% of income for emergencies and investments. Residents should take full advantage of employer retirement plans and consider building real estate wealth through homeownership in this affordable market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bath County

via HealthByCounty

Bath faces significant health crisis

Bath County residents live to just 68.8 years—the lowest among these eight counties and 9.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.2 years. About 22.2% report poor or fair health, signaling widespread chronic disease burden.

Worst outcomes in Kentucky sample

Bath's 68.8-year life expectancy falls 3.4 years below Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years, placing it among the state's most vulnerable counties. This 3.4-year gap signals systemic health challenges requiring urgent intervention.

Severe primary care shortage

Bath has only 16 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below neighboring Anderson (29) and Adair (26). Mental health providers are adequate at 278 per 100,000, but the lack of primary care undermines preventive health.

Low uninsured rate, poor access

Just 6.3% of Bath residents lack insurance, below the state average, yet the county's life expectancy crisis persists. This paradox suggests that even insured residents struggle to access quality local primary care.

Bath needs healthcare action

If you're among Bath's uninsured, visit kynect.ky.gov immediately to secure coverage and a stable healthcare home. For those already insured, advocate for bringing more primary care providers to your community—that's what will move the needle on Bath's health crisis.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bath County

via RiskByCounty

Bath County offers exceptional natural safety

Bath County's composite score of 13.71 and Very Low rating rank it among the lowest-risk counties in the entire nation. The county demonstrates remarkably balanced, minimal exposure across all major hazard categories.

Kentucky's safest county by risk score

Bath County's 13.71 composite score makes it the safest county in Kentucky, with dramatically lower risk than the state average of 44.21. No other Kentucky county approaches Bath's exceptional safety profile.

Bath far outpaces neighboring counties

Bath County (13.71) offers superior protection compared to all adjacent counties, with the nearest competitors being Anderson (26.34) and Allen (33.33). This safety advantage is rare and noteworthy within the state.

All hazards remain well below dangerous levels

Bath County shows relatively balanced moderate risk across most hazards, with wildfire (26.18) and flood (29.55) slightly elevated. No single threat poses a dominant concern, making Bath a genuinely low-risk environment.

Standard homeowners coverage typically sufficient

Bath County residents benefit from exceptionally low risk across natural disasters, making a comprehensive homeowners policy the primary protection need. Annual policy reviews remain important to ensure adequate coverage levels.

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.