Floyd County

Kentucky · KY

#115 in Kentucky
65.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Floyd County, Kentucky

Strong National Livability Score

Floyd County scores 75.5 on the livability index, substantially above the national median of 50.0. This solid performance ranks it among the top half of U.S. counties.

Inline with Kentucky Standards

At 75.5, Floyd County slightly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, positioning it as a solid performer within the Commonwealth. It ranks in the middle-to-upper tier of state counties.

Affordable Living Across the Board

Floyd County's cost score of 87.5 is outstanding, with median rent at just $713 and median home values of $93,300. Its tax score of 81.3 and 0.747% effective rate further enhance affordability.

Incomes and Data Gaps Persist

The income score of 10.5 reflects a median household income of just $41,582, among the lowest in this group. Missing data on health, schools, safety, and environmental factors limits a complete assessment.

Great for Budget-Conscious Mountain Living

Floyd County suits retirees and families prioritizing low housing costs and minimal taxes in an Appalachian setting. It's best for those accepting lower incomes for stable, inexpensive rural living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.3Cost87.5SafetyComing SoonHealth58.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.5Risk5.8WaterComing Soon
🏛81.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠87.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼10.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
58.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
5.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Floyd County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Floyd County

via TaxByCounty

Floyd taxes well below national median

Floyd County's 0.747% effective tax rate is less than one-third the national property tax burden, placing it in the bottom 30% nationally. The median annual tax of $697 is roughly 74% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Slightly above Kentucky average

At 0.747%, Floyd County's rate edges above Kentucky's 0.719% state average, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. Its median tax of $697 trails the state median of $1,093 by nearly $400.

Moderate rate among eastern counties

Floyd County's 0.747% rate sits between lower-taxed Estill County (0.691%) and higher-taxed Gallatin County (0.808%), positioning it as a moderate-tax area in eastern Kentucky. The county's lower property values explain its lighter overall tax burden compared to state averages.

Median home costs $697 annually

A homeowner with Floyd County's median property value of $93,300 pays roughly $697 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the total annual payment climbs to approximately $1,063.

Challenge overvalued assessments

Many Floyd County homeowners may be assessed at values above comparable recent sales—a situation that justifies appealing your assessment. Contacting the county assessor to request a formal review could lower your annual tax burden.

Cost of Living in Floyd County

via CostByCounty

Floyd faces steepest housing burden

Floyd County's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Kentucky's most challenging, where households earning just $41,582 annually spend $713 on rent—nearly double the recommended 30% threshold when viewed as a percentage of already-strained budgets. This eastern Kentucky county's housing costs bite harder than the national average, despite below-national-average rents.

Highest affordability strain in survey

Floyd County shows the steepest rent-to-income ratio (20.6%) among surveyed Kentucky counties, exceeding the state average of 17.0% by 3.6 percentage points. With the state's lowest median household income at $41,582, Floyd residents face disproportionate housing pressure despite modest $713 monthly rents.

Struggling more than peers

Floyd's 20.6% ratio exceeds all nearby counties: Estill (18.8%), Fleming (16.4%), and Fayette (19.5%), making it the toughest rental market in this regional cluster. While Floyd's $713 rent runs only slightly above Estill's $689, the county's lower incomes push the affordability burden significantly higher.

Tight margins in eastern Kentucky

Floyd households earning $41,582 dedicate $713 monthly to rent (20.6% of income) or $539 to mortgage payments on homes averaging $93,300. With more than one-fifth of income claimed by housing, residents have little cushion for healthcare, transportation, and other essentials.

Floyd requires careful consideration

Floyd County's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio signals affordability challenges that should give prospective residents pause, especially if you're relocating for employment without a firm job offer. If you're considering Floyd, prioritize securing income above the county median ($41,582) before moving—even modest salary increases dramatically improve your housing affordability picture.

Income & Jobs in Floyd County

via IncomeByCounty

Floyd County trails U.S. by 44%

Floyd County's median household income of $41,582 falls $33,173 short of the national median of $74,755—a 44% gap. Floyd ranks among the lowest-earning counties nationally, reflecting its coal-dependent economy's structural decline.

Second-lowest in Kentucky

Floyd's median income of $41,582 ranks near the bottom statewide, trailing Kentucky's average of $55,909 by 26%. Only Fulton County earns less among all profiled Kentucky counties.

Lowest earner among peers

Floyd ($41,582) ranks eighth and last among the eight comparison counties, trailing even struggling Estill ($43,905). Floyd's median household income reflects the region's ongoing economic transition away from coal mining.

Housing costs strain tight budgets

Floyd's rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% is the highest among profiled counties, signaling housing cost pressure on working families. With median home values at $93,300, homeownership remains challenging despite lower absolute prices.

Strategic planning amid economic transition

Floyd households earning $41,582 face tight margins, making budgeting and emergency savings critical priorities. Even $25–50 monthly into a savings account builds resilience during economic transitions and job changes.

Health in Floyd County

via HealthByCounty

Floyd faces one of America's steepest declines

At 67.0 years, Floyd County's life expectancy ranks among the nation's worst—nearly 9 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly 25% report poor or fair health, reflecting an urgent health crisis in this Appalachian coal-mining community.

Kentucky's second-lowest life expectancy

Floyd's 67.0-year life expectancy falls 5.2 years below Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, ranking near the bottom statewide. Its 25.4% poor/fair health rate underscores the county's struggle with opioid dependency, chronic disease, and economic hardship.

Worse off than most surrounding counties

Floyd's 67.0-year life expectancy is the lowest among these eight counties, trailing even Fulton (68.3) and Estill (69.5). Its concentrated health crisis reflects legacy industries, poverty, and historic underinvestment in local healthcare infrastructure.

Paradox: abundant mental health, scarce doctors

Floyd reports 3,713 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—an outlier reflecting data from large regional facilities—yet only 57 primary care providers, limiting routine care access. With 7.2% uninsured and transportation barriers across mountainous terrain, preventive medicine remains elusive for many.

Health coverage is your lifeline

Floyd residents deserve accessible care—go to kynect.ky.gov or call 1-855-4-KYNECT to explore coverage options that fit your budget. Insurance opens doors to addiction treatment, chronic disease management, and preventive care your community urgently needs.

Disaster Risk in Floyd County

via RiskByCounty

Floyd ranks among nation's riskiest counties

Floyd County's composite risk score of 94.18 exceeds the national average dramatically, placing it in the highest tier of U.S. natural disaster exposure. The county faces severe compounded hazard threats across multiple categories, making disaster preparedness critical for all residents.

Kentucky's second-highest risk county

Floyd's score of 94.18 ranks it near the very top of Kentucky's risk hierarchy, more than double the state average of 44.21. Only a handful of Kentucky counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.

Extreme risk even among Appalachian peers

Floyd's risk level (94.18) is nearly identical to neighboring Fayette County (92.05) and dramatically exceeds surrounding counties like Estill (41.79) and Fleming (30.98). Floyd occupies one of eastern Kentucky's most hazardous positions.

Flooding and wildfires pose severe threats

Floyd County faces exceptional flood risk with a score of 97.81—among the nation's highest—due to complex terrain and watershed vulnerabilities. Wildfire risk (86.32) compounds the danger, particularly across forested ridgelines and rural areas during dry seasons.

Comprehensive insurance is non-negotiable

Floyd County residents must secure flood insurance immediately—standard homeowner policies exclude water damage, and the county's extreme flood risk makes coverage essential. Adding wildfire/brush fire protection and earthquake coverage provides the most complete protection available.

ByCounty Network

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