Edmonson County's composite score of 78.2 places it in the top 30% of American counties, well above the national median of 50.0. The county's balanced profile across tax and housing metrics drives this competitive standing.
2 / 5
Above Kentucky's statewide average
Edmonson's 78.2 score surpasses Kentucky's 75.0 state average and ranks among the commonwealth's livability leaders. The county demonstrates resilience across measured dimensions.
3 / 5
Strong affordability with moderate incomes
Edmonson combines an 87.3 cost score reflecting median rent of $739/month and homes at $136,600 with an 85.9 tax score and 0.582% effective rate. A median household income of $54,512 provides middle-ground purchasing power in Appalachia.
4 / 5
Income growth potential remains modest
Edmonson's income score of 19.0 is middling within this peer group, suggesting limited wage advancement relative to national benchmarks. Safety, health, school quality, risk, and water data gaps prevent fuller assessment.
5 / 5
Suitable for middle-income rural families
Edmonson County appeals to working families and modest-income retirees seeking balanced affordability and tax treatment without dramatic income sacrifice. It represents a reasonable middle ground between cost minimization and opportunity.
Edmonson County's composite score of 78.2 places it in the top 30% of American counties, well above the national median of 50.0. The county's balanced profile across tax and housing metrics drives this competitive standing.
Above Kentucky's statewide average
Edmonson's 78.2 score surpasses Kentucky's 75.0 state average and ranks among the commonwealth's livability leaders. The county demonstrates resilience across measured dimensions.
Strong affordability with moderate incomes
Edmonson combines an 87.3 cost score reflecting median rent of $739/month and homes at $136,600 with an 85.9 tax score and 0.582% effective rate. A median household income of $54,512 provides middle-ground purchasing power in Appalachia.
Income growth potential remains modest
Edmonson's income score of 19.0 is middling within this peer group, suggesting limited wage advancement relative to national benchmarks. Safety, health, school quality, risk, and water data gaps prevent fuller assessment.
Suitable for middle-income rural families
Edmonson County appeals to working families and modest-income retirees seeking balanced affordability and tax treatment without dramatic income sacrifice. It represents a reasonable middle ground between cost minimization and opportunity.
Score breakdown
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🏛85.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Edmonson County's 0.582% effective tax rate places it well below the national median of 0.54%, ranking in approximately the 30th percentile nationally. With a median home value of $136,600, homeowners pay around $795 annually—less than 30% of the national median tax of $2,690.
Below Kentucky's average effective rate
Edmonson County ranks 51st in Kentucky with its 0.582% effective rate, notably below the state average of 0.719%. Its $795 median property tax falls 27% below Kentucky's $1,093 state median.
Lower-tax county in a diverse region
Edmonson County's 0.582% rate ranks in the lower-middle of this eight-county sample. Clinton (0.550%) and Crittenden (0.562%) charge less, while Cumberland (0.611%), Clark (0.732%), and Daviess (0.858%) charge more.
Moderate tax burden on median-valued home
Edmonson County's median home, worth $136,600, incurs an estimated $795 in annual property taxes. With mortgage escrow, homeowners typically pay $1,038; without a mortgage, approximately $682.
Every reduction counts—appeal if overassessed
Even in a lower-tax county, inaccurate assessments happen. Request a review of your home's assessed value if you believe it exceeds fair market worth.
Edmonson County renters spend 16.3% of their income on housing, below Kentucky's 17% state average and comfortably within the 30% national affordability threshold. At $54,512 median household income and $739 median rent, this south-central Kentucky county maintains solid affordability for renters.
Kentucky's Solid Middle-Ground County
Edmonson County's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio places it slightly below the state average, ranking it among Kentucky's more affordable counties. The county achieves this through moderate housing costs paired with mid-range local incomes.
Mid-Range Costs in South-Central Region
Edmonson County's $739 rent sits between the cheaper options (Cumberland at $553, Elliott at $427) and pricier alternatives (Clark at $883, Daviess at $906). Its $54,512 median income, meanwhile, ranks above the poorest counties but below Daviess and Clark.
Renting More Affordable Than Buying
Renters spend $739 monthly while homeowners pay $516, with median home values at $136,600. The 16.3% rent-to-income ratio means Edmonson households dedicate roughly one-sixth of earnings to housing.
Balanced Option for Relocating Families
Edmonson County offers moderate housing costs with decent local incomes, making it appealing to families relocating from higher-cost areas. Its 16.3% rent-to-income ratio is competitive—compare it to nearby Crittenden (15.8%) and Cumberland (16.7%) to find your best Kentucky fit.
Edmonson County's median household income of $54,512 falls 27% short of the national median of $74,755, positioning it in the lower-middle tier nationally. Per capita income of $27,643 slightly trails Kentucky's state average of $29,616, indicating modest earning constraints.
Close to Kentucky's state income average
Edmonson County's median household income of $54,512 nearly matches Kentucky's state average of $55,909, placing it solidly in the middle of the state's income distribution. The county's stable economy supports reasonable household earnings.
Middle ground among regional counties
Edmonson County's $54,512 income ranks between lower-income Clinton County ($42,168) and higher-earning Daviess County ($65,323). This mid-range position reflects a balanced regional economy with mixed employment opportunities.
Good housing affordability
With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.3%, Edmonson County provides healthy housing affordability well below the 30% threshold. Median home values of $136,600 are achievable for households with stable incomes, supporting home equity accumulation.
Build steady wealth with local opportunity
Edmonson County's stable housing market and near-average incomes support gradual wealth-building through homeownership and retirement savings. Explore local employer 401(k) plans, community development finance, and education investments to grow assets over time.
At 75.3 years, Edmonson County has the second-highest life expectancy in this analysis—4.0 years above the U.S. average of 71.4. Yet 24.3% report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate of 21%, suggesting chronic disease despite longevity.
Exceptional health performance in Kentucky
Edmonson County's 75.3-year life expectancy far exceeds Kentucky's 72.2-year average by 3.1 years, ranking it among the state's healthiest counties. At 8.0% uninsured, it slightly exceeds the state average of 7.0%, a minor blemish on strong health outcomes.
Second only to Elliott County
Edmonson County's 75.3-year life expectancy trails only Elliott County (76.3) in this regional analysis. Its 24.3% poor/fair health rate is better than most peers, though Daviess County's 20.3% is notably lower.
Critical primary care shortage despite longevity
Edmonson County is a paradox: residents live long, yet only 8 primary care providers serve 100,000—a severe shortage. With 40 mental health providers per 100K, mental health access is also limited, suggesting aging population or provider workforce challenges.
Ensure coverage despite provider scarcity
Edmonson County's provider shortage makes insurance even more critical—without it, access is nearly impossible. At 8.0% uninsured, check kynect.ky.gov to get covered; consider telehealth options to bridge local access gaps.
Edmonson County's composite risk score of 11.04 is one of the lowest nationally, earning a Very Low risk rating. Your county faces minimal natural disaster exposure compared to the vast majority of U.S. counties across all major hazard types.
Kentucky's safest county by far
At 11.04, Edmonson County achieves the lowest composite risk score among all Kentucky's 120 counties, far below the state average of 44.21. Your county represents the commonwealth's best-case scenario for natural disaster resilience.
Dramatically safer than surrounding areas
Edmonson County's 11.04 score substantially undercuts neighboring Warren and Metcalfe counties, establishing it as south-central Kentucky's safest community. Your county's exceptionally low risk profile is distinct even among the region's generally safer areas.
Tornado risk is your only notable concern
Tornado risk at 40.90 is Edmonson County's primary hazard, though still moderate and well below state averages. Flood and wildfire risks are exceptionally low at 18.58 and 3.50 respectively, reflecting your county's minimal overall hazard exposure.
Focus on tornado preparedness essentials
Identify a safe shelter room in your home—ideally a basement or interior bathroom on a lower floor—and practice reaching it within minutes of a tornado warning. Keep a flashlight, battery-powered weather radio, and first-aid kit readily accessible during spring storm season; otherwise, Edmonson County's exceptional safety allows for streamlined disaster planning.