CountyScore

Daviess County

Kentucky · KY

#111 in Kentucky
66
County Score

County Report Card

About Daviess County, Kentucky

Daviess outperforms national baseline

Daviess County's composite score of 71.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 45% of U.S. counties. While respectable nationally, the county ranks lowest among this Kentucky cohort.

Slightly below Kentucky's average

Daviess's 71.2 score falls beneath Kentucky's 75.0 state average, marking it as one of the more challenged counties in this peer group. The gap suggests room for improvement across measured dimensions.

Highest incomes offset other tradeoffs

Daviess boasts a median household income of $65,323—second highest in this group—with an income score of 26.0 that reflects stronger wage opportunities. A 78.1 tax score and 77.4 cost score provide moderate affordability, supporting the region's economic viability.

Higher costs squeeze affordability gains

Despite solid incomes, Daviess carries the highest effective tax rate in this set at 0.858% and above-average housing costs with median rent at $906/month and homes at $185,800. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable.

Right for wage earners valuing stability

Daviess County suits employed professionals and families with above-median incomes who prioritize economic opportunity and relative stability over rock-bottom costs. Local wages here can support the county's higher price points.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.1Cost77.4SafetyComing SoonHealth70.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome26Risk11.9WaterComing Soon
🏛78.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.9
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 Daviess County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Craighead County
Arkansas
66
Median income: $57,615
Putnam County
Georgia
66
Median income: $64,163
Hendricks County
Indiana
66
Median income: $99,988
Boyd County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $60,659
Warren County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $64,801

Deep Dives

Daviess County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Daviess County

via TaxByCounty

Daviess leads the region in property tax rates

At 0.858%, Daviess County's effective tax rate significantly exceeds the national median of 0.54%, placing it in approximately the 75th percentile nationally. Its median home value of $185,800 is the highest in this sample, resulting in a $1,595 annual property tax bill.

Highest-tax county among Kentucky's eight samples

Daviess County ranks 11th in Kentucky by effective tax rate at 0.858%, well above the state average of 0.719%. Its $1,595 median property tax is the highest in this analysis and 46% above Kentucky's $1,093 state median.

Noticeably higher taxes than surrounding counties

Daviess County's 0.858% rate and $1,595 median tax significantly outpace all other counties in this analysis. Clark County ranks second at 0.732%, and most others hover around 0.60%.

Highest annual bill in this eight-county sample

A median home valued at $185,800 in Daviess County generates approximately $1,595 in annual property taxes. With mortgage escrow factored in, homeowners typically pay $1,770; without a mortgage, around $1,390.

Higher taxes make assessment reviews critical

In a higher-tax county, even a small overassessment compounds significantly over time. Reviewing your assessment and filing an appeal if warranted could yield substantial annual savings in Daviess County.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Daviess County

via CostByCounty

Daviess County Rents Remain Affordable

Daviess County renters spend 16.6% of their income on housing, below Kentucky's 17% state average and well within the 30% national affordability threshold. With a median household income of $65,323 and median rent of $906, this western Kentucky county offers reasonable housing costs relative to local earning power.

Kentucky's Better-Earning Affordable County

Daviess County combines one of Kentucky's stronger median incomes ($65,323) with an affordable rent-to-income ratio of 16.6%, positioning it as one of the state's most stable housing markets. This balance of wages and affordability is rare among Kentucky's rural counties.

Higher Rents But Higher Incomes Too

Daviess County's $906 rent runs the second-highest in this dataset after Clark County ($883), but its $65,323 median income is also among the strongest. This earning power supports Daviess's higher housing costs while maintaining strong affordability ratios.

Balanced Costs for Renters and Buyers

Renters spend $906 monthly while homeowners pay $964, with median home values at $185,800. At just 16.6% of income going to housing, Daviess County households maintain substantial flexibility for other financial priorities.

Strong Job Market Plus Affordable Housing

Daviess County (home to Owensboro) attracts relocators seeking better-than-average incomes combined with affordable housing costs—a rare combination in rural Kentucky. Compare its 16.6% rent burden and $65,323 median income to Clark County ($67,824) to weigh your options in western Kentucky.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Daviess County

via IncomeByCounty

Daviess County earns above state average

Daviess County's median household income of $65,323 trails the national median of $74,755 by 13%, placing it in the middle-income tier nationally. Per capita income of $35,121 substantially exceeds Kentucky's state average of $29,616, reflecting stronger earning capacity than most Kentuckians.

Top earner in western Kentucky

Daviess County ranks among Kentucky's highest-income counties at $65,323, surpassing the state average of $55,909 by 17%. The county's diversified economy centered on Owensboro and manufacturing provides stable, above-average employment.

Regional income leader

Daviess County's $65,323 median income exceeds neighboring Henderson County and McLean County by $8,000–$12,000 per household. This leadership reflects Owensboro's role as a regional employment and commerce hub.

Housing comfortably affordable

Daviess County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% sits well below the 30% affordability threshold, allowing households discretionary income for savings and investment. Median home values of $185,800 pair well with solid incomes, making homeownership secure and achievable.

Maximize wealth through diversified investing

Daviess County's above-average incomes position residents to build substantial wealth through retirement accounts, home equity, and investment portfolios. Consult a financial advisor to develop tax-efficient strategies for college savings, long-term wealth accumulation, and retirement security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Daviess County

via HealthByCounty

Daviess County leads Kentucky health outcomes

At 74.9 years, Daviess County residents enjoy the longest life expectancy in our analysis—3.5 years above the U.S. average of 71.4. Only 20.3% report poor or fair health, beating the national rate of 21%, reflecting strong disease management and prevention.

Top-tier health within Kentucky

Daviess County's 74.9-year life expectancy ranks among Kentucky's best, exceeding the state average of 72.2 by 2.7 years. Its 6.2% uninsured rate also beats Kentucky's 7.0% average, indicating both health and coverage success.

Healthiest county in its region

Daviess County's 74.9-year life expectancy outpaces all peer counties, including Edmonson (75.3—very close) and Elliott County (76.3—slightly higher). Its 20.3% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among regional peers, marking it as a health leader.

Comprehensive provider network across disciplines

Daviess County boasts 55 primary care providers per 100,000—among the highest rural rates—and 324 mental health providers per 100K, the most in this analysis. With only 6.2% uninsured, residents have both access and affordability.

Maintain success: stay covered

Daviess County's health excellence stems from strong coverage and access—don't let that slip. At 6.2% uninsured, focus on reaching remaining uninsured through outreach; visit kynect.ky.gov to check your coverage status.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Daviess County

via RiskByCounty

Daviess County faces elevated national risk

With a composite risk score of 88.14, Daviess County ranks significantly above the national average, earning a Relatively Moderate risk rating. Your county's multi-hazard exposure places it in a higher-risk tier requiring serious disaster preparedness investment.

Kentucky's highest-risk county overall

Daviess County's 88.14 score is the highest among all Kentucky counties, far exceeding the state average of 44.21. Your county faces the most concentrated natural hazard exposure in the commonwealth and demands distinctive preparedness strategies.

Dramatically riskier than all neighbors

Daviess County's 88.14 score vastly exceeds those of neighboring Henderson, McLean, and Ohio counties, making it regionally anomalous in hazard exposure. Your county's unique risk profile reflects multiple converging hazard types not matched elsewhere in northwestern Kentucky.

Tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods converge

Tornado risk (88.90), earthquake risk (95.87), and flood risk (88.84) all score at critically high levels in Daviess County—three of the state's highest totals. This convergence of major hazards creates a uniquely challenging risk environment requiring comprehensive household planning.

Build comprehensive hazard protection now

Daviess County homes need earthquake-resistant retrofitting, flood-resistant elevation or barriers, and a reinforced safe room for tornadoes—consider professional assessment of your property. Purchase homeowners insurance with earthquake and flood riders, maintain emergency supplies for multiple scenarios, and develop detailed family evacuation plans for each hazard type.

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.