CountyScore

Fayette County

Kentucky · KY

#119 in Kentucky
63.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Fayette County, Kentucky

Above National Average, Below State

Fayette County scores 67.0 on the livability index, well above the national median of 50.0 but below Kentucky's state average of 75.0. This reflects a mixed profile typical of Kentucky's more urbanized counties.

Underperforming Among Kentucky Peers

At 67.0, Fayette County ranks below the state average of 75.0, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Kentucky counties. The gap suggests tradeoffs common to more developed areas.

Higher Incomes Drive Opportunity

Fayette County's income score of 27.5 is notably strong, with a median household income of $67,631—among the highest in this comparison. Its tax score of 77.2 keeps the effective burden manageable at 0.891%.

Housing Costs Eat Into Gains

The county's cost score of 69.3 reflects higher housing expenses, with median rent at $1,101 and median home values at $272,100. Limited data on health, schools, and safety leaves key quality-of-life questions unanswered.

For Professionals Seeking Urban Amenities

Fayette County suits higher-earning professionals and families willing to pay more for urban conveniences and job opportunities. It's best for those prioritizing income potential over maximum affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.2Cost69.3SafetyComing SoonHealth71.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.5Risk8WaterComing Soon
🏛77.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡8
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 Fayette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Floyd County
Georgia
63.2
Median income: $62,540
Henry County
Illinois
63.2
Median income: $69,912
Barton County
Kansas
63.2
Median income: $56,733
Nantucket County
Massachusetts
63.2
Median income: $119,750
Dakota County
Minnesota
63.2
Median income: $105,212

Deep Dives

Fayette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fayette County

via TaxByCounty

Fayette taxes comparable to U.S. median

At 0.891%, Fayette County's effective tax rate sits just above the national median, placing it roughly in the 50th percentile nationally. The median annual tax of $2,425 is slightly below the national median of $2,690, a difference of just $265.

Third-highest rate in Kentucky

Fayette County ranks among Kentucky's highest-taxed counties at 0.891%, well above the state average of 0.719%. Only a handful of Kentucky counties exceed Fayette's rate, making it one of the more expensive places to own property in the state.

Fayette leads surrounding counties

Fayette's 0.891% rate far exceeds neighboring Garrard County (0.720%) and Gallatin County (0.808%), reflecting Lexington's position as a major metro area. The higher rate correlates with higher property values—Fayette's median home of $272,100 is significantly above rural neighbors.

Median home costs $2,425 annually

A homeowner with Fayette County's median property value of $272,100 pays approximately $2,425 in annual property taxes. Whether financed or owned outright, the tax bill remains consistent around $2,400–$2,450.

Appeals can reduce your burden

Even in high-value markets, properties are sometimes overassessed relative to comparable sales. Filing an appeal with Fayette County's property valuation administrator could lower your assessment and annual tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fayette County

via CostByCounty

Fayette premium reflects urban pull

Fayette County's 19.5% rent-to-income ratio falls within the acceptable range, but its rents ($1,101/month) nearly match the national median, reflecting its status as Kentucky's economic hub anchored by Lexington. Though median household income ($67,631) remains below the U.S. average ($74,755), residents pay significantly more for housing than national norms.

Kentucky's most expensive rental market

Fayette County leads Kentucky with a median rent of $1,101/month—43% above the state average of $771—earning it the highest rental costs in the commonwealth. The 19.5% rent-to-income ratio pushes slightly above Kentucky's 17.0% state average, signaling tighter housing budgets despite higher local incomes.

Urban premium over surrounding counties

Fayette's $1,101 rent dwarfs nearby rural alternatives: Fleming ($677), Estill ($689), and even Franklin County ($946) charge substantially less. For homebuyers, Fayette's median value of $272,100 towers over neighbors like Floyd County ($93,300), reflecting Lexington's robust real estate market.

Lexington's cost structure

A Fayette household earning $67,631 annually dedicates $1,101 to rent (19.5% of income) or $1,255 to mortgage payments on a median-priced home of $272,100. This urban affordability squeeze leaves less cushion than rural neighbors, but higher local wages partially offset the premium.

Fayette offers opportunity with costs

Relocating to Fayette means paying Kentucky's steepest housing prices, but you're gaining access to Lexington's robust job market and higher median incomes that help offset the premium. Compare your salary expectations carefully: if you can secure above-average wages in Fayette's economy, the 19.5% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable despite sticker shock compared to rural alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Fayette nears national income parity

Fayette County's median household income of $67,631 closes the gap with the national median of $74,755, trailing by just $7,124 or 10%. This positions Fayette as an above-average earner relative to most U.S. counties.

Kentucky's top-earning county

Fayette's median income of $67,631 leads all Kentucky counties by a substantial margin, outpacing the state average of $55,909 by $11,722. Its per capita income of $42,272 nearly doubles the state average of $29,616.

Clear income leader among peers

Fayette ($67,631) significantly outearns all comparison counties, including Franklin ($66,470), Gallatin ($62,247), and Garrard ($62,572). Its income advantage reflects Fayette's role as Kentucky's largest metropolitan economic center.

Strong income supports high housing costs

Fayette's median home value of $272,100 is the highest among profiled counties, yet the 19.5% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable. Households here have the earnings capacity to sustain both homeownership and rental housing.

Fayette's income supports wealth building

With $67,631 median household income, Fayette residents have meaningful capacity to invest beyond basic housing and living costs. Diversifying into stocks, bonds, and retirement accounts positions households to compound long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fayette County

via HealthByCounty

Fayette's health rivals the nation's best

At 76.7 years, Fayette County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years, placing it among America's healthier communities. Only 18.9% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 18%, reflecting strong preventive care practices.

Kentucky's healthiest county by far

Fayette's 76.7-year life expectancy stands 4.5 years above Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years. Its poor/fair health rate of 18.9% is the lowest among these eight counties, proving robust healthcare infrastructure drives better outcomes.

Healthy advantage over the region

Fayette residents live 4 to 9.7 years longer than neighbors in Estill, Floyd, and Fulton counties. With robust provider networks and lower disease burden, Fayette's health profile stands distinctly apart from surrounding rural counties.

Abundant doctors, excellent access to care

Fayette boasts 120 primary care providers and 599 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest capacity among these counties. At 7.6% uninsured, most residents can access routine checkups, specialists, and mental health support without geographic barriers.

Keep your coverage strong and current

Fayette's high uninsured rate of 7.6% means thousands still lack protection—visit kynect.ky.gov to ensure continuous coverage. Staying insured keeps preventive care accessible and protects your financial health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fayette County

via RiskByCounty

Fayette ranks moderately higher than nation

With a composite risk score of 92.05, Fayette County faces substantially elevated natural disaster exposure compared to the national average. This relatively moderate rating reflects compound vulnerabilities across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and earthquakes.

Among Kentucky's highest-risk counties

Fayette's score of 92.05 places it near the top tier of Kentucky risk, more than double the state average of 44.21. The county ranks among the state's most exposed to combined natural hazard threats.

Fayette faces outsized risk in central region

Fayette's risk profile (92.05) significantly exceeds neighboring Franklin County (64.47) and is comparable to nearby Floyd County (94.18), one of Kentucky's most hazardous areas. The county's location in central Kentucky places it in a particularly vulnerable zone.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate risk profile

Fayette faces extreme tornado risk with a score of 97.96—among the highest in the nation—driven by its central Kentucky location in Tornado Alley. Earthquake risk (93.03) and flood risk (92.68) round out a serious triple threat to homes and infrastructure.

Comprehensive coverage is essential here

Fayette County residents must prioritize comprehensive homeowner insurance including tornado and wind protection—standard policies often exclude these events. Adding flood insurance and considering an earthquake rider provides the fullest protection given the county's elevated multi-hazard exposure.

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.