Bracken County's composite score of 72.3 runs 45% higher than the U.S. median of 50.0, ranking it in the top half of American counties. This outperformance reflects strong affordability and tax advantages for its residents.
2 / 5
Slightly Below Kentucky's Norm
Bracken scores 72.3 against Kentucky's 75.0 average, placing it just beneath statewide benchmarks among the state's 120 counties. The narrow gap indicates a community that aligns well with typical Kentucky livability.
3 / 5
Exceptional Housing Affordability
Bracken leads with a Cost Score of 82.2, the highest among these eight counties, offering median home values of just $116,400 and rents at $748/month. Combined with a Tax Score of 75.9 (0.939% rate), the county delivers genuine housing bargains.
4 / 5
Modest Income Levels Limit Opportunity
The Income Score of 22.2 translates to a median household income of $59,521, falling short of state and national benchmarks and constraining long-term wealth building. Safety, health, school, and water data remain unavailable, leaving full livability assessment incomplete.
5 / 5
Perfect for Ultra-Budget Conscious Families
Bracken County is tailor-made for those seeking rock-bottom housing costs and lighter tax burdens—retirees stretching fixed incomes, first-time homebuyers, or downshifters. Expect rural character and affordability over wage growth and big-city amenities.
Bracken County's composite score of 72.3 runs 45% higher than the U.S. median of 50.0, ranking it in the top half of American counties. This outperformance reflects strong affordability and tax advantages for its residents.
Slightly Below Kentucky's Norm
Bracken scores 72.3 against Kentucky's 75.0 average, placing it just beneath statewide benchmarks among the state's 120 counties. The narrow gap indicates a community that aligns well with typical Kentucky livability.
Exceptional Housing Affordability
Bracken leads with a Cost Score of 82.2, the highest among these eight counties, offering median home values of just $116,400 and rents at $748/month. Combined with a Tax Score of 75.9 (0.939% rate), the county delivers genuine housing bargains.
Modest Income Levels Limit Opportunity
The Income Score of 22.2 translates to a median household income of $59,521, falling short of state and national benchmarks and constraining long-term wealth building. Safety, health, school, and water data remain unavailable, leaving full livability assessment incomplete.
Perfect for Ultra-Budget Conscious Families
Bracken County is tailor-made for those seeking rock-bottom housing costs and lighter tax burdens—retirees stretching fixed incomes, first-time homebuyers, or downshifters. Expect rural character and affordability over wage growth and big-city amenities.
Score breakdown
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🏛75.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Bracken County's effective tax rate of 0.939% sits meaningfully above most U.S. comparisons, though homes here are far more affordable than the national median. At the national median home value of $281,900, a Bracken resident would pay roughly $2,646 annually—still within the national range.
Bracken ranks near the top statewide
Bracken County's effective rate of 0.939% ranks among Kentucky's highest, exceeding the state average of 0.719% by over 30%. This elevated rate reflects Bracken's municipal and county service needs relative to its modest tax base.
Bracken second-highest in the regional group
At 0.939%, Bracken ranks as the second-highest rate among these eight counties, just behind Boyd County's 0.976%. Yet Bracken's median home value of $116,400 is the lowest in the group, making the proportional tax burden particularly steep.
Annual taxes on a Bracken County home
The median Bracken County home valued at $116,400 carries an annual property tax of $1,093—matching Kentucky's state average despite the county's higher rate. With mortgage deductions, the bill climbs to $1,279; without them, it drops to $591.
Appeal your assessment in Bracken
Bracken County's steep tax rate relative to home values makes assessment accuracy critical; even small overvaluations are costly. Filing an appeal if you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its true market worth could return meaningful savings annually.
Bracken County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% sits below the national average, delivering genuine rental affordability to its households. The median rent of $748 per month ranks among the lowest in the region, freeing up income for other necessities.
Top affordability tier in Kentucky
Bracken County's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio beats Kentucky's 17.0% state average, placing it solidly in the state's most affordable counties. Renters here enjoy one of the commonwealth's strongest advantages when it comes to housing cost burden.
Lowest rents in the subregion
Bracken County's $748 monthly rent is the cheapest among its peers, matching Bourbon and undercutting Boyd by $91. At a median home value of just $116,400, Bracken also offers Kentucky's lowest homeownership threshold in this group.
Ultra-low housing burden here
Bracken County's median household income of $59,521 supports remarkably affordable housing—renters spend just 15.1% on rent ($748), while homeowners commit 17.0% ($844) to ownership. This county delivers some of Kentucky's strongest income-to-housing ratios across both tenure types.
Bracken is Kentucky affordability champion
Seeking the lowest housing costs in Kentucky? Bracken County delivers—rent and home values both rank among the state's cheapest. This rural gem suits families or individuals prioritizing affordability and economic stability above all else.
Bracken County's median household income of $59,521 trails the national median of $74,755 by 20%. Like many rural Kentucky counties, Bracken faces structural economic headwinds.
Modest advantage over state average
Bracken County's $59,521 median household income edges slightly above Kentucky's state average of $55,909. Per capita income of $30,198 outpaces the state benchmark of $29,616, though modestly.
Mid-range earner among peers
Bracken County earns less than nearby Boyle County ($61,635) and Boyd County ($60,659), but exceeds Bourbon County ($56,322) and Breckinridge County ($53,673). The county holds steady in the regional middle.
Affordable housing strengthens purchasing power
Bracken County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% is well below affordability thresholds, giving residents financial breathing room. The median home value of $116,400 is the lowest in this group, making homeownership highly attainable.
Low housing costs enable savings
Bracken County's combination of moderate income and very affordable housing creates opportunity for savings and investment. Direct the money you save on housing into emergency funds and retirement accounts to build long-term wealth.
Bracken County residents live an average of 71.5 years, more than 4.9 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. About 21.3% of adults report poor or fair health, slightly above national levels. These figures reflect long-standing rural health challenges.
Below state average, lower ranking
At 71.5 years, Bracken County's life expectancy falls 0.7 years below Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years. The county ranks in the lower half of Kentucky's 120 counties for health outcomes. Its 21.3% poor/fair health rate mirrors state-level health struggles.
Critical provider shortage
Bracken County faces the most severe provider shortage in this region, with only 12 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and just 12 mental health providers per 100,000. This compares starkly to Boyd County (100 primary, 780 mental health) and even rural peers like Bourbon (64 primary, 139 mental health). Residents often travel to adjacent counties for specialty care.
Limited access defines healthcare
Bracken County's uninsured rate of 6.2% is below state average, but extreme provider scarcity means many insured residents struggle to find local care. With only 12 providers per 100,000 for both primary care and mental health, residents depend heavily on care coordination and travel to neighboring counties.
Secure coverage despite barriers
While 6.2% of Bracken County residents lack insurance, the bigger challenge is accessing providers once covered. Check your eligibility for Medicaid immediately and work with local health officials to connect with care coordination services that can bridge gaps in local provider access.
Bracken County's composite risk score of 12.02 is among the lowest in the nation, far exceeding the national safety average. This very low risk profile makes Bracken one of the safest places in America to live relative to natural disasters.
Lowest risk county in the Commonwealth
At 12.02, Bracken County's composite risk score is dramatically below Kentucky's state average of 44.21—the lowest in the entire state by a wide margin. Residents enjoy substantially greater protection from natural hazards than the typical Kentuckian.
Much safer than neighboring regions
Bracken County's Very Low rating far exceeds the risk levels of neighboring counties across northeastern and northern Kentucky. Its location in the gently rolling bluegrass region shields it from the Appalachian hazards that threaten surrounding areas.
Minor tornado and flood risks only
Bracken County's biggest hazards—tornado risk at 31.93 and flood risk at 26.18—are both well below regional and state averages. Wildfire risk (1.56) is negligible, and earthquake and hurricane risks are minimal, making this one of America's safest counties overall.
Bracken County's minimal disaster risk means standard homeowners insurance offers ample protection for most residents. Annual policy reviews ensure adequate coverage, but specialized policies for flood or earthquake are rarely necessary here.