CountyScore

Boone County

Kentucky · KY

#113 in Kentucky
65.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Boone County, Kentucky

Boone ranks 35% above national median

Boone County's composite score of 67.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0, though it trails the other seven featured counties. The county's income score of 45.2—the highest among all eight—reflects significant economic opportunity despite higher costs.

Below Kentucky's state average ranking

With a score of 67.3, Boone County falls notably short of Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it in the lower half of the Commonwealth's counties. The county's income advantages don't fully offset its higher costs and taxes.

Strong income and earning opportunities

Boone County's income score of 45.2 is far superior to any other featured county, with median household income at $94,752—reflecting robust economic vitality and professional opportunity. This income level supports the county's more upscale housing market and higher costs.

Higher costs and taxes offset income strength

Boone County's cost score of 65.5 is the lowest among these eight counties, with median rent at $1,253/month and home values at $253,200. The tax score of 77.0 and effective rate of 0.898% are the highest, eroding the purchasing power of higher incomes.

Made for affluent professionals and families

Boone County suits dual-income professionals, executives, and established families with substantial earning capacity seeking suburban sophistication and economic opportunity. Higher costs are a trade-off these households make for career advancement and professional community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77Cost65.5SafetyComing SoonHealth75.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome45.2Risk25.5WaterComing Soon
🏛77
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠65.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼45.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡25.5
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 Boone County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Siskiyou County
California
65.9
Median income: $55,499
Clark County
Indiana
65.9
Median income: $72,298
Ness County
Kansas
65.9
Median income: $66,107
Clay County
Minnesota
65.9
Median income: $77,664
Cass County
Missouri
65.9
Median income: $87,413

Deep Dives

Boone County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Boone County

via TaxByCounty

Boone tops nation in tax burden

Boone County's 0.898% effective tax rate substantially exceeds the national median of 0.85%, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median annual property tax of $2,273 approaches the national median of $2,690, reflecting both high home valuations and aggressive tax rates.

Kentucky's priciest tax jurisdiction

At 0.898%, Boone County's effective rate is the highest among our profiled counties and significantly surpasses Kentucky's state average of 0.719%. Homeowners pay a median of $2,273 annually—108% more than the state median of $1,093—making Boone among the costliest counties statewide.

Steepest burden in greater Cincinnati area

Boone County's 0.898% rate towers above neighboring Campbell and Kenton counties in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati metro region. Only Anderson County among our profiled counties approaches Boone's tax intensity.

What $253,200 home costs annually

A median Boone County home valued at $253,200 generates approximately $2,273 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage interest and insurance, homeowners face combined annual costs near $2,394—the highest of our surveyed counties.

High taxes make appeals essential

In Boone County's expensive market, even small percentage reductions in assessed value translate to $300–$500+ in annual savings. Homeowners should prioritize assessment challenges during revaluation cycles, as overassessment is common in rapidly appreciating markets.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Boone County

via CostByCounty

Boone exceeds Kentucky and national norms

Boone County's median household income of $94,752 surpasses the national average of $74,755 by nearly 27%, placing it in Kentucky's economic elite. Despite the highest rents in this survey at $1,253 monthly, its 15.9% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable thanks to strong incomes.

Kentucky's most prosperous county cluster

Boone's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio narrowly exceeds Kentucky's 17.0% state average, a minor gap given the county's outsized incomes and home values. Boone stands apart as a genuine wealth center within the commonwealth.

Premium market commanding premium income

Boone's $1,253 median rent and $1,313 owner costs dwarf all neighboring counties—nearly 60% higher than Anderson County ($870 rent, $954 ownership). The $253,200 median home value reflects a prosperous suburban market drawing commuters and affluent residents.

Boone's affluent housing equation

Renters allocate $1,253 monthly while homeowners pay $1,313 to mortgages, consuming 15.9% and roughly 16.6% of the $94,752 median income respectively. High absolute costs are tempered by substantially higher earnings available for other priorities.

Boone for high-income professionals

If you earn above-regional salaries or relocate for lucrative employment, Boone County's strong schools and Northern Kentucky location justify premium housing costs. Compare Boone's total cost-of-living (not just housing) against competing Cincinnati-area suburbs to gauge long-term value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Boone County

via IncomeByCounty

Boone County Exceeds National Income

Boone County's median household income of $94,752 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $20,000, placing it among the nation's more prosperous counties. The county's strong earnings reflect proximity to Cincinnati's economic sphere and a diversified regional economy.

Kentucky's Wealthiest County

At $94,752, Boone County's median household income towers 69% above Kentucky's state average of $55,909, making it the clear economic leader among these eight counties. Per capita income of $43,436 exceeds the state average by 47%, indicating broad-based prosperity.

Dominant Economic Leader

Boone County's income substantially outpaces every peer—by $23,000 versus Anderson County and more than $60,000 versus Bell County. The county's economic advantage reflects suburban development, corporate presence, and integration with the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati regional economy.

Housing Easily Affordable at High Income

Boone residents spend only 15.9% of income on rent, well below affordability thresholds, despite median home values of $253,200—the highest in this group. Strong incomes make homeownership and wealth-building through real estate highly accessible.

Accelerate Wealth Building Aggressively

Boone County residents with above-average income should maximize retirement contributions, tax-advantaged investment accounts, and college savings plans while reserving 20–25% for long-term wealth building. Work with a wealth advisor to develop strategies for real estate diversification, business ownership, and generational wealth transfer.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Boone County

via HealthByCounty

Boone leads on health outcomes

Boone County residents live to 78.0 years—essentially matching the U.S. average of 78.2 years and leading all eight counties by far. Only 18.1% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 21%.

Kentucky's health leader

Boone's 78.0-year life expectancy exceeds Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years by 5.8 years—a stunning 8% advantage in longevity. The 18.1% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in the state sample by a wide margin.

Strong healthcare infrastructure

Boone has 59 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, second only to Barren's 70 and well above most peers. Mental health support at 149 providers per 100,000 is adequate and accessible.

Lowest uninsured rate statewide

Only 4.7% of Boone residents lack health insurance—2.3 percentage points better than Kentucky's 7.0% average and the best in this county group. Strong insurance coverage combined with robust provider supply creates ideal conditions for health.

Maintain Boone's health advantage

Boone's 95.3% insurance coverage rate is exceptional—if you're in that small uninsured minority, visit kynect.ky.gov to get covered today. Boone shows what Kentucky can achieve: high insurance enrollment, provider access, and the health outcomes to prove it work.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Boone County

via RiskByCounty

Boone County faces Kentucky's highest risk profile

Boone County scores 74.46 with a Relatively Low rating—the highest composite risk of any Kentucky county examined. The county's tornado risk of 91.63 and earthquake risk of 78.63 place it among the nation's most threatened areas.

Highest-risk county in this analysis

Boone County's 74.46 composite score substantially exceeds Kentucky's 44.21 average and tops all eight counties profiled here. The county faces significantly greater exposure to natural disasters than most of its state peers.

Boone's risk towers above comparison counties

Boone County (74.46) far exceeds every neighboring county analyzed, with only Bell County (68.00) and Barren County (67.91) approaching its threat level. This represents the state's most vulnerable region among these profiled areas.

Tornado risk reaches exceptional levels

Boone County's tornado risk of 91.63 stands as Kentucky's highest, making severe spring weather the dominant threat residents face. Earthquake risk at 78.63 ranks second, while flood (66.44) represents a significant tertiary concern.

Comprehensive preparedness is non-negotiable

Boone County residents must ensure tornado coverage and develop robust family tornado safety plans, including an identified safe room. Adding earthquake insurance and flood coverage creates the comprehensive protection this high-risk county demands.

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.