Bell County's composite score of 76.9 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, marking strong national performance. The county achieves this despite very low incomes, driven primarily by exceptional housing affordability (cost score 91.6).
2 / 5
Solid performer in Kentucky's rankings
Bell County scores 76.9, above Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it in the upper tier of the Commonwealth's counties. The county's unique strength lies in ultra-low housing costs rather than income or tax advantages.
3 / 5
Extraordinary housing affordability
Bell County boasts the highest cost score (91.6) among all eight counties, with median rent at just $617/month and median home values at only $83,000. This exceptional affordability makes housing accessible to the widest range of households.
4 / 5
Very low incomes constrain household capacity
Bell County's income score of 4.6 is by far the lowest, with median household income at just $32,403—less than half the state median. This severe income limitation means that despite cheap housing, household financial flexibility remains very restricted.
5 / 5
Best for those with non-local income sources
Bell County suits remote workers, retirees with pensions, and others whose income originates outside the county, as local earning opportunities are severely limited. For these groups, the extraordinary housing costs become a tremendous asset.
Bell County's composite score of 76.9 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, marking strong national performance. The county achieves this despite very low incomes, driven primarily by exceptional housing affordability (cost score 91.6).
Solid performer in Kentucky's rankings
Bell County scores 76.9, above Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it in the upper tier of the Commonwealth's counties. The county's unique strength lies in ultra-low housing costs rather than income or tax advantages.
Extraordinary housing affordability
Bell County boasts the highest cost score (91.6) among all eight counties, with median rent at just $617/month and median home values at only $83,000. This exceptional affordability makes housing accessible to the widest range of households.
Very low incomes constrain household capacity
Bell County's income score of 4.6 is by far the lowest, with median household income at just $32,403—less than half the state median. This severe income limitation means that despite cheap housing, household financial flexibility remains very restricted.
Best for those with non-local income sources
Bell County suits remote workers, retirees with pensions, and others whose income originates outside the county, as local earning opportunities are severely limited. For these groups, the extraordinary housing costs become a tremendous asset.
Score breakdown
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🏛81.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Bell County's 0.743% effective tax rate falls just below the national median of 0.85%, placing it in the lower-middle range nationally. The median annual property tax of just $617—the lowest among our profiled counties—represents just 23% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting depressed regional home values.
Moderate rate, lowest tax bills
Bell County's 0.743% effective rate slightly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, but the median property tax of $617 is 44% below the state median of $1,093. This reflects southeastern mountain home values that remain among Kentucky's lowest.
Affordable taxes in coal region
Bell County's 0.743% rate sits amid other eastern Kentucky mining-region counties facing similar economic realities and depressed property values. Harlan and Pike counties nearby experience comparable or even higher rates with similar low tax bills.
What $83,000 home costs annually
A median Bell County home valued at just $83,000 generates approximately $617 in annual property taxes—the lowest tax burden among our eight counties. Total annual housing costs including mortgage reach roughly $1,048.
Low values don't eliminate appeal options
Despite Bell County's depressed property values, homeowners should still verify assessment accuracy, as overvaluation compounds even on modest-priced homes. Appeals are particularly worthwhile if recent sales suggest lower market values.
Bell County's 22.9% rent-to-income ratio represents a housing crisis, nearly 50% above the national affordability threshold of 15-17%. With the lowest median household income among these counties at $32,403, Bell residents face the nation's most acute housing stress.
Kentucky's most burdened housing market
Bell's 22.9% rent-to-income ratio is the worst among all these Kentucky counties, exceeding even Barren County (19.1%) by a significant margin. The combination of minimal incomes and modest rents still overwhelms Bell households.
Lowest income, disproportionate burden
Bell's median income of $32,403 is less than two-thirds of nearby Adair County ($50,316) and less than one-third of prosperous Boone County ($94,752). While its $617 median rent ranks among the region's lowest, it consumes a devastating share of Bell's limited earnings.
Bell's housing burden is unsustainable
Renters allocate $617 monthly to rent—22.9% of the $32,403 median income—while homeowners pay $391, reflecting a distressed market with minimal property values ($83,000 median). Nearly one-quarter of Bell renter income evaporates into housing costs, leaving inadequate resources for food, utilities, and healthcare.
Bell requires exceptional circumstances
Only relocate to Bell County if your income substantially exceeds the county median or employment opportunities guarantee wages well above regional norms. This county demands careful financial planning to ensure housing doesn't crowd out other essential needs.
Bell County's median household income of just $32,403 sits 57% below the U.S. median of $74,755, making it one of the nation's lowest-income counties. This stark gap reflects decades of economic decline following coal industry contraction in southeastern Kentucky.
Kentucky's Lowest-Income County
At $32,403, Bell County ranks far below Kentucky's state average of $55,909—a gap of over $23,500 that underscores severe regional economic distress. Per capita income of $20,463 trails the state average of $29,616 by 31%, indicating widespread poverty.
Dramatically Lower Than All Peer Counties
Bell County's income trails every other county in this comparison by substantial margins, with the nearest peer being Barren County at $49,171—a difference of $16,768. The county faces unique economic challenges rooted in coal industry collapse and limited job diversification.
Housing Affordability Crisis
Bell County residents spend 22.9% of income on rent—the highest ratio in this group and approaching the danger threshold—while median home values of $83,000 remain out of reach for many. The affordability crisis reflects both low incomes and limited access to credit or down payment assistance.
Seek Emergency and Community Support
Bell County residents should prioritize accessing government assistance programs, nonprofit credit counseling, and emergency aid before pursuing investments. Connect with local workforce development agencies about job training and education programs that can increase earning potential and long-term economic mobility.
Bell County residents live to just 67.3 years—the lowest in this comparison and 10.9 years below the U.S. average of 78.2 years. A striking 28.3% report poor or fair health—the highest rate among these eight counties.
Kentucky's critical health crisis
Bell's 67.3-year life expectancy falls 4.9 years below Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years, representing a major public health emergency. The 28.3% poor/fair health rate is far above the state norm, indicating severe chronic disease prevalence.
Moderate providers, severe outcomes
Bell has 50 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—competitive on paper—yet health outcomes remain the worst in this group. Mental health support is limited at just 60 providers per 100,000, suggesting coverage gaps despite primary care supply.
Uninsured rate near state average
About 7.0% of Bell residents lack health insurance, matching the state average, yet the county's health crisis persists despite comparable insurance rates to better-performing counties. This suggests deeper structural barriers to health beyond insurance access alone.
Coverage is just the start
Bell County residents: visit kynect.ky.gov to confirm you have insurance, then work with your provider on preventive screenings and chronic disease management. Community health initiatives and behavioral health support will be crucial to reversing Bell's health trajectory.
Bell County scores 68.00 with a Relatively Low rating, exceeding the national average substantially. The county's wildfire risk of 73.25 and flood risk of 82.03 reflect genuine vulnerability to multiple major hazards.
Among Kentucky's highest-risk counties
Bell County ranks 68.00 against the state average of 44.21, placing it in the riskier tier of Kentucky counties. Only Boone County (74.46) and Barren County (67.91) rank meaningfully higher.
Bell's risk substantially exceeds nearby areas
Bell County (68.00) carries risk comparable to Barren County (67.91) but far exceeds the safety of adjacent counties like Anderson (26.34). The county sits in Kentucky's highest-risk region.
Flood and wildfire pose dual threats
Flood risk dominates at 82.03—among Kentucky's highest—while wildfire risk of 73.25 is exceptional for the state. Together these hazards far outweigh tornado (41.63) and other threats Bell residents face.
Flood and wildfire coverage is essential
Bell County homeowners must prioritize flood insurance (excluded from standard policies) and verify wildfire/brush fire coverage in their homeowners policy. Consider elevating critical infrastructure and clearing vegetation defensively around your home.