Casey County

Kentucky · KY

#46 in Kentucky
71.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Casey County, Kentucky

Casey County scores above national livability median

Casey County's composite score of 78.3 places it in the 57th percentile nationally, exceeding the national median of 50.0 and ranking among the strongest performers in this cohort. The county's exceptional housing affordability (89.9) and reasonable tax burden (85.5) create significant value for residents. This high ranking reflects Casey's position as an unusually livable and accessible community.

Casey outperforms Kentucky's state livability average

At 78.3, Casey County exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it in the upper tier of the commonwealth's most livable counties. The county stands out as an exceptional value within Kentucky's landscape, particularly for cost-conscious residents. This strong positioning makes Casey a top-tier Kentucky option.

Housing affordability reaches exceptional levels

Casey County's cost score of 89.9 is the highest in this entire group, offering median rent of just $645 per month and median home values of $135,700. The tax score of 85.5 (effective rate: 0.597%) keeps additional financial pressure minimal. Together, these factors create the most accessible housing environment in this county cohort.

Incomes lag significantly, data gaps remain

The income score of 10.6 with median household income of $41,689 is the lowest in this group, reflecting limited earning potential and economic opportunity. Safety, health, school, environmental, and risk data are not yet available. These critical measurements will be essential for families evaluating long-term suitability.

Ideal for those maximizing buying power on tight budgets

Casey County suits retirees, single-income families, and low-wage workers seeking the absolute lowest housing and tax burden possible. The exceptional housing affordability allows household resources to stretch furthest in this county. This is the choice for those with minimal income requirements looking to build wealth through real estate ownership at the lowest possible cost.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.5Cost89.9SafetyComing SoonHealth56.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.6Risk63WaterComing Soon
🏛85.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠89.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼10.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
56.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
63
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Casey County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Casey County

via TaxByCounty

Casey's tax rate below national average

Casey County's effective tax rate of 0.597% falls well below the national median of 0.72%, offering homeowners a meaningful tax advantage. The median annual property tax of $810 on a home valued at $135,700 represents less than a third of the national median tax of $2,690.

Casey ranks low among Kentucky counties

Casey County's 0.597% effective rate runs notably below Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, placing it in the lower third of the state's 120 counties. Homeowners here benefit from a comparatively light tax burden.

Strong competitive tax position

Casey's 0.597% rate beats Calloway (0.670%), Carlisle (0.847%), and Christian County (0.714%), but runs slightly higher than Caldwell (0.523%) and Carter (0.493%). It offers solid tax savings relative to most regional peers.

Casey homeowner annual tax snapshot

The median Casey County home valued at $135,700 results in approximately $810 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage and insurance, typical homeowners face around $1,066 per year.

Verify your property assessment

Casey County homeowners enjoying relatively low taxes should still verify their property assessments for accuracy. If your assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales, an appeal could provide additional annual savings.

Cost of Living in Casey County

via CostByCounty

Casey County: affordable housing, minimal income

At 18.6%, Casey County's rent-to-income ratio edges above the national average, reflecting the lowest median income in this group ($41,689) despite modest rents of $645. Residents here face the most acute affordability challenge—not due to high costs but due to extremely limited earning capacity.

Below state median income, above average pressure

Casey's 18.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Kentucky's 17.0% state average, and its $41,689 median income ranks among the state's lowest-earning counties. Even the lowest rent in this cohort ($645) strains budgets in a county where earning opportunity is severely constrained.

Lowest income despite lowest rents

Casey offers the cheapest rents ($645) but the weakest median income ($41,689) among peer counties—a troubling combination. Residents earn $16,000+ less than Campbell County residents while paying less in absolute housing costs, yet face proportionally heavier affordability burden.

Housing strain despite rock-bottom costs

Casey renters pay $645 monthly (18.6% of the $41,689 income), while homeowners spend $468—the lowest absolute costs anywhere in this group. Yet with median income barely exceeding $41,000, these low costs still consume outsized budget shares, leaving minimal resources for healthcare, education, and savings.

Casey County: affordability with caveats

If housing cost is your only consideration, Casey County's $645 rent and $41,689 median income represent the most constrained economy in this group. Before relocating, prioritize evaluating employment opportunities and wage growth potential—housing affordability alone cannot offset the county's severe income limitations.

Income & Jobs in Casey County

via IncomeByCounty

Casey faces steepest income challenge

Casey County's median household income of $41,689 falls drastically below Kentucky's state average of $55,909 by roughly $14,200, and lags the national median of $74,755 by nearly $33,100. The county earns just 56% of typical U.S. household income, indicating severe economic stress.

Among Kentucky's lowest-income counties

Casey County ranks at the very bottom of Kentucky's 120 counties for household income, reflecting acute unemployment, underemployment, and limited high-wage job opportunities. Per capita income of $23,916 also ranks among the state's lowest, signaling deep economic distress.

Significantly trails all regional peers

Casey's $41,689 median household income substantially lags all nearby counties, including the next-lowest Carter ($50,389) by nearly $9,000. The county faces regional economic isolation, with no nearby high-income anchors like Campbell County to provide job market spillovers.

Housing costs exceed comfort zone

Casey's rent-to-income ratio of 18.6% nears affordability limits, with typical renters spending approximately $645 monthly against constrained income. Home values of $135,700 represent a significant stretch for median-earning households, pricing many residents out of homeownership entirely.

Seek support and economic mobility

Casey County residents should access free financial counseling, workforce development programs, and government assistance benefits designed to stabilize household finances. Before investing, focus on building even small emergency savings and improving job skills through community college or apprenticeship programs.

Health in Casey County

via HealthByCounty

Lowest life expectancy among these counties

Casey County residents live to just 72.1 years, nearly matching the U.S. average of 71.4 years but with higher-than-national health hardship. A striking 29.5% report poor or fair health—far above the national rate of roughly 22%—the worst in this eight-county group. Casey faces a profound population-wide health crisis demanding urgent intervention.

Kentucky's worst health outcomes here

At 72.1 years, Casey County ranks at Kentucky's bottom tier for life expectancy, matching the state average of 72.2 years only by coincidence. The 29.5% poor/fair health rate is Kentucky's worst in this set, indicating systemic health collapse across the entire population. Casey residents experience the state's most severe health challenges.

Most unhealthy county in this region

Casey's 29.5% poor/fair health rate far exceeds all regional peers—nearly 5 percentage points higher than Carlisle's 24.0% and Campbell's 16.0%. At 72.1 years life expectancy, Casey trails Calloway (74.1 years) by two full years, marking it as the region's sickest population. The county's health crisis stands out even among struggling peer counties.

Severe provider shortage, highest uninsured rate

Casey County has just 13 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in this group—while 9.2% lack any insurance, the highest uninsured rate here. With 101 mental health providers per 100,000, behavioral health access is modest but primary care scarcity creates a dangerous gap. Healthcare access is severely constrained by both provider shortage and uninsured rates.

One in eleven uninsured—enrollment critical

Casey's 9.2% uninsured rate—the highest here—means 1 in 11 residents lack coverage in a county with severe primary care shortages and the worst health outcomes. Visit healthcare.gov or Kentucky's kynect immediately to find an affordable plan and a provider within reach. Insurance is not just protection—it's a lifeline in a county facing a health emergency.

Disaster Risk in Casey County

via RiskByCounty

Casey maintains below-average risk

Casey County's composite score of 37.05 places it in the Very Low category, substantially below the national average for disaster risk. This south-central Kentucky county offers residents relatively safe exposure to natural hazards.

Well below Kentucky's average risk

At 37.05, Casey County scores 7 points below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, ranking it among the safer counties statewide. Several Kentucky counties carry higher risk, making Casey a relatively secure community.

Safer than western Kentucky peers

Casey County's 37.05 score is dramatically lower than Calloway (75.35) and Christian (79.64) counties but comparable to Caldwell (38.96). It ranks as one of the safer counties in its region.

Tornado and flood risks are primary

Tornado risk of 61.35 is Casey County's highest hazard score, making spring severe weather season the main seasonal concern. Flood risk at 48.76 reflects the county's position in Kentucky's hilly terrain, where heavy rainfall can cause localized inundation.

Focus on tornado and weather prep

Casey County residents should have a weather radio and a designated interior shelter area to protect against spring tornadoes. Homeowners in flood-prone valleys should confirm flood insurance coverage, while standard homeowners policies provide adequate protection for other hazards.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.