countyscore

Best Counties for Families in Kentucky 2026

120 counties ranked by schools, safety, income, and affordability.

Top 5 Family Counties in Kentucky

1McLean County
69.7
2Hickman County
67.9
3Martin County
67.3
4Knott County
67.8
5Monroe County
66.2

All 120 Family-Ranked Counties in Kentucky

RankCountyPersona ScoreOverall Score
1McLean County, KY7569.7
2Hickman County, KY7467.9
3Martin County, KY7067.3
4Knott County, KY6967.8
5Monroe County, KY6966.2
6Rockcastle County, KY6972.7
7McCreary County, KY6969
8Johnson County, KY6967.4
9Carlisle County, KY6862.6
10Hancock County, KY6868.7
11Cumberland County, KY6770.5
12Leslie County, KY6770.1
13Wolfe County, KY6771
14Larue County, KY6761.6
15Anderson County, KY6659.6
16Clinton County, KY6670
17Elliott County, KY6672.6
18Union County, KY6660.1
19Letcher County, KY6662.3
20Trimble County, KY6563.7
21Carroll County, KY6559.7
22Oldham County, KY6557.1
23Owsley County, KY6568.8
24Mercer County, KY6460.1
25Adair County, KY6465.7
26Whitley County, KY6464.4
27Magoffin County, KY6464.8
28Floyd County, KY6461.3
29Butler County, KY6467.9
30Greenup County, KY6458.8
31Spencer County, KY6359.3
32Bracken County, KY6361.3
33Hart County, KY6363.6
34Owen County, KY6362.1
35Lincoln County, KY6363.5
36Washington County, KY6365.8
37Pendleton County, KY6359.5
38Breckinridge County, KY6365
39Robertson County, KY6267.1
40Marion County, KY6262.5
41Lyon County, KY6263.7
42Carter County, KY6266.3
43Green County, KY6268.3
44Fleming County, KY6265.1
45Grant County, KY6259.4
46Russell County, KY6165.5
47Casey County, KY6167.4
48Lewis County, KY6164.8
49Menifee County, KY6168.8
50Harrison County, KY6060.5
51Morgan County, KY6062.4
52Woodford County, KY5956.3
53Meade County, KY5958
54Campbell County, KY5950.3
55Perry County, KY5960.6
56Taylor County, KY5960
57Gallatin County, KY5959.1
58Jackson County, KY5862.7
59Edmonson County, KY5865.6
60Nelson County, KY5754.7
61Breathitt County, KY5759.8
62Harlan County, KY5758.1
63Pike County, KY5756.7
64Livingston County, KY5759
65Allen County, KY5764.3
66Caldwell County, KY5763.9
67Lawrence County, KY5661.4
68Metcalfe County, KY5664
69Ballard County, KY5656.1
70Trigg County, KY5560
71Pulaski County, KY5557.1
72Kenton County, KY5549.8
73Todd County, KY5556.7
74Crittenden County, KY5563.7
75Rowan County, KY5458.7
76Nicholas County, KY5465.3
77Wayne County, KY5463
78Boyle County, KY5455.2
79Muhlenberg County, KY5357.9
80Boone County, KY5347.3
81Lee County, KY5361.7
82Grayson County, KY5362.1
83Bullitt County, KY5249.5
84Garrard County, KY5254.2
85Marshall County, KY5256.8
86Webster County, KY5251.6
87Knox County, KY5256.5
88Estill County, KY5258.7
89Logan County, KY5156.2
90Graves County, KY5156
91Calloway County, KY5155
92Hopkins County, KY5150.9
93Henry County, KY5151.7
94Ohio County, KY5056.7
95Shelby County, KY5048.4
96Boyd County, KY4945.1
97Jessamine County, KY4947.5
98Clay County, KY4956.3
99Barren County, KY4853.3
100Scott County, KY4849.4
101Bell County, KY4853
102Bath County, KY4856.2
103Clark County, KY4747.5
104Bourbon County, KY4651.3
105Powell County, KY4660.1
106Franklin County, KY4646
107Hardin County, KY4648.1
108Madison County, KY4547.7
109Fulton County, KY4350.5
110McCracken County, KY4246.1
111Henderson County, KY4246.2
112Simpson County, KY4248.2
113Mason County, KY4151.8
114Daviess County, KY4041.9
115Laurel County, KY3951.1
116Montgomery County, KY3944.2
117Warren County, KY3841.9
118Fayette County, KY3737.5
119Christian County, KY3338.9
120Jefferson County, KY3234.3

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best county for families in Kentucky?

Based on our analysis of school quality, safety, income, and cost of living, McLean County ranks as the top family county in Kentucky with a family score of 75.

How many counties in Kentucky are ranked for families?

We rank 120 counties in Kentucky for family suitability, scoring each on school quality (35%), safety (30%), income (20%), and cost of living (15%).

Also Browse Kentucky Counties For

RetirementRemote WorkersBest Overall

Family Rankings by State

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Data: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, 2019-2023 ACS — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.