CountyScore

Estill County

Kentucky · KY

#79 in Kentucky
69.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Estill County, Kentucky

Well Above National Average

Estill County scores 76.0 on the livability index, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top half of U.S. counties, reflecting strong fundamentals in tax burden and housing affordability.

Outperforming State Average

With a score of 76.0, Estill County exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, ranking among the stronger-performing counties in the Commonwealth. This makes it a competitive choice within Kentucky's livability landscape.

Budget-Friendly with Low Taxes

Estill County excels in affordability, with a cost score of 86.9 and median rent of just $689 per month. Its tax score of 82.8 reflects an effective rate of 0.691%, among the lowest in the region.

Income Growth Lags Behind

The county's income score of 12.1 is notably low, with a median household income of $43,905 falling well below state and national benchmarks. Limited data on health, schools, and safety prevents a fuller livability picture at this time.

Ideal for Cost-Conscious Families

Estill County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over higher incomes. It's best for those seeking rural Kentucky living without breaking the budget.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.8Cost86.9SafetyComing SoonHealth57.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.1Risk58.2WaterComing Soon
🏛82.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡58.2
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 Estill County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cullman County
Alabama
69.9
Median income: $60,916
Union County
Arkansas
69.9
Median income: $50,221
Fannin County
Georgia
69.9
Median income: $58,073
Cheyenne County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $55,765
Jackson County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $72,703

Deep Dives

Estill County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Estill County

via TaxByCounty

Estill taxes far below national average

Estill County's effective tax rate of 0.691% is less than half the national median property tax burden, placing it in roughly the bottom 20% nationally. While the typical U.S. homeowner pays $2,690 annually, Estill County residents pay just $773—a savings of nearly $1,900 per year.

Slightly lower than Kentucky average

At 0.691%, Estill County's rate is just below Kentucky's 0.719% state average, ranking it in the middle tier of the state's 120 counties. The county's median property tax of $773 trails the state median of $1,093 by about $320 annually.

Among the lowest in eastern region

Estill County taxes are comparable to nearby Floyd County (0.747%) and Fleming County (0.715%), making it one of the more affordable areas in eastern Kentucky. The county sits well below Fayette County, the state's second-largest metro area, which charges 0.891%.

Median home costs $773 annually

A homeowner with the median property value of $111,900 pays roughly $773 in annual property taxes in Estill County. With a mortgage, escrow payments typically bump that to $1,085 per year.

Check if your assessment is fair

Many Kentucky property owners are assessed above market value and could reduce their tax burden through a formal appeal. If you believe your home is overvalued, contacting your county property tax assessor about a reassessment could pay off.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Estill County

via CostByCounty

Estill rents fit national patterns

Estill County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% sits slightly above the national sweet spot, where housing experts recommend spending no more than 30% of income on rent. While median household income here ($43,905) trails the U.S. average ($74,755) by 41%, local rents at $689/month remain relatively modest compared to national markets.

Above Kentucky average affordability

Estill's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, placing it in the middle tier of affordability across the commonwealth. At $689/month, local rents run 11% below the state median of $771, offering relief despite below-average incomes.

Competing in the regional market

Estill's $689 rent compares favorably to nearby Floyd County ($713) and sits between Fleming County ($677) and Fayette County's urban premium ($1,101). However, Estill faces higher affordability pressure than neighboring Fleming (16.4% ratio) due to lower median incomes, making it a working-class rental market.

Where your income goes

A typical Estill household earning $43,905 annually spends $689 on rent (18.8% of income) or $607 on mortgage payments, with homebuyers looking at properties valued around $111,900. These proportions stay below the danger zone, leaving room for other essentials in a modest budget.

Considering Estill? Here's what to know

If you're seeking Kentucky rental affordability without sacrificing too much income, Estill offers reasonable rents with cost-of-living advantages—though you'll want to compare job opportunities and income potential against nearby options like Fayette County's higher wages. The county's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably within the acceptable range, making it accessible for working families.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Estill County

via IncomeByCounty

Estill trails U.S. income by 41%

Estill County's median household income of $43,905 sits well below the national median of $74,755, a gap of $30,850. This places Estill in the lower tier of U.S. counties for household earnings.

Below average for Kentucky

Estill's median income falls 21% short of Kentucky's state average of $55,909, ranking it among the lower-earning counties statewide. The per capita income of $24,142 also trails the state average of $29,616 by $5,474.

Near the bottom of eastern peers

Compared to neighboring counties, Estill ($43,905) earns more than Floyd ($41,582) and Fulton ($36,834), but trails Fleming ($49,663) and Gallatin ($62,247). Among its regional cluster, Estill ranks fifth out of eight counties profiled.

Rent affordable, homeownership challenging

At 18.8%, Estill's rent-to-income ratio sits below the cautionary 30% threshold, suggesting renters can manage housing costs. However, with median home values at $111,900 and median income at $43,905, homeownership requires careful financial planning.

Build stability through intentional saving

Estill households earning $43,905 annually have room to prioritize emergency savings and retirement accounts—even small consistent contributions compound over time. Consider seeking out low-cost investment tools and local financial counseling to grow household wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Estill County

via HealthByCounty

Estill's life expectancy lags the nation

At 69.5 years, Estill County residents live about 6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly 27% report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 18%, signaling deeper health challenges ahead.

Among Kentucky's lowest life expectancies

Estill's 69.5-year life expectancy ranks well below Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years. The county's 27.4% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average, placing it among the state's most struggling health communities.

Worse health than neighboring counties

Estill's life expectancy trails nearby Fleming County (72.6 years) and Fayette County (76.7 years) by significant margins. Its poor/fair health rate of 27.4% is also higher than most adjacent counties, reflecting concentrated health disparities.

Limited doctors, higher uninsured rates

Estill has just 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than one-third of Fayette County's capacity. With 7.8% of residents uninsured and sparse provider networks, routine care and preventive medicine remain out of reach for many.

Explore health coverage options today

If you're among Estill's uninsured, check kynect.ky.gov or call 1-855-4-KYNECT to explore Medicaid and marketplace plans. Even with a modest income, you may qualify for financial help—and coverage could be life-changing.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Estill County

via RiskByCounty

Estill ranks very low on national risk scale

With a composite risk score of 41.79, Estill County sits well below the national average and poses minimal exposure to major natural disasters. This very low rating means residents face fewer compound hazard threats than most U.S. counties, though localized flood risks warrant attention in vulnerable areas.

Among Kentucky's safest counties

Estill's score of 41.79 ranks it near the bottom of Kentucky's risk spectrum, sitting well below the state average of 44.21. The county's profile reflects relatively modest exposure across nearly all major hazard categories compared to higher-risk peers.

Safer than nearby eastern Kentucky counties

Estill's risk profile is significantly lower than neighboring Floyd County (94.18), one of Kentucky's highest-risk counties, and moderately better positioned than Fayette County (92.05). Among comparable Appalachian-area neighbors, Estill sits in the safer tier.

Flooding poses the most pressing threat

Estill's flood risk score of 63.90 is its highest hazard exposure, driven by the county's topography and proximity to waterways. Wildfire risk (44.66) represents a secondary concern, particularly during dry seasons in forested areas across the county.

Flood insurance makes the most sense

Although Estill's overall risk is low, residents in flood-prone zones should secure flood insurance—standard homeowner policies don't cover water damage. A modest earthquake insurance rider provides affordable added protection given the county's low seismic risk.

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.