CountyScore

Fulton County

Kentucky · KY

#87 in Kentucky
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Fulton County, Kentucky

Exceptional Livability for Small County

Fulton County scores 76.9 on the livability index, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This places Kentucky's smallest county among the nation's most affordable places to live.

Top Performer in Commonwealth

At 76.9, Fulton County outpaces Kentucky's state average of 75.0, ranking among the Commonwealth's best-performing counties. It's a standout for rural livability.

Most Affordable Housing in Group

Fulton County's cost score of 90.4 is exceptional, with median rent at just $542 per month and median home values of $78,100. Its tax score of 82.0 and 0.720% effective rate reinforce outstanding affordability.

Income Levels Constrain Economic Growth

The income score of 7.4 reflects a median household income of just $36,834, the lowest in this comparison. Sparse data on health, schools, and safety leaves important questions about long-term quality of life unanswered.

Best for Minimalist Rural Living

Fulton County suits retirees and self-sufficient families seeking the absolute lowest cost of living in Kentucky. It's ideal for those with fixed incomes or alternative revenue seeking to stretch every dollar.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82Cost90.4SafetyComing SoonHealth53.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome7.4Risk53.3WaterComing Soon
🏛82
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡53.3
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 Fulton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Crawford County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $60,362
Johnson County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $44,808
Routt County
Colorado
69.1
Median income: $104,803
Taylor County
Georgia
69.1
Median income: $41,743
Twin Falls County
Idaho
69.1
Median income: $65,338

Deep Dives

Fulton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fulton County

via TaxByCounty

Fulton taxes far below national average

Fulton County's 0.720% effective tax rate is less than one-third the national property tax burden, placing it in the bottom 25% nationally. The median tax of just $562 is roughly 79% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Essentially at Kentucky average

At 0.720%, Fulton County's rate matches almost exactly Kentucky's 0.719% state average, placing it squarely in the state's middle tier. However, its median tax of $562 runs 49% below the state median of $1,093, reflecting significantly lower property values.

Among the lowest-taxed in the region

Fulton County's 0.720% rate compares favorably to Estill County (0.691%) and Fleming County (0.715%), making it one of Kentucky's most affordable property tax jurisdictions. The county's lowest median property value ($78,100) in this cohort explains its minimal annual tax burden.

Median home costs $562 annually

A homeowner with Fulton County's median property value of $78,100 pays roughly $562 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the annual payment including escrow typically reaches about $1,053.

Appeals work even with low values

Property owners in Fulton County should still verify their assessments match market conditions, even in a lower-value market. If your assessed value exceeds comparable sales, requesting a reassessment from the county can lower your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fulton County

via CostByCounty

Fulton offers extreme affordability

Fulton County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio masks a deeper story: median household income of just $36,834 (51% below the national average) yields rock-bottom rents of $542/month. This western Kentucky county offers some of America's most affordable housing in absolute terms, though lower incomes reflect limited economic opportunity.

Lowest-income Kentucky county surveyed

Fulton County shows the lowest median household income ($36,834) among all surveyed Kentucky counties, yet maintains a 17.7% rent-to-income ratio just above the state average. At $542/month, Fulton rents are the cheapest in the commonwealth—reflecting economic realities of this rural northwestern county.

Extreme rural affordability

Fulton's $542 rent dramatically undercuts regional alternatives: Fleming ($677), Estill ($689), and Floyd ($713) all cost substantially more. However, Fulton's low incomes and 17.7% ratio suggest that cheap rent alone doesn't solve affordability challenges when wages are this constrained.

Survival budgeting in rural west

Fulton households earning just $36,834 spend $542 on rent (17.7% of income) or $560 on mortgage payments for homes averaging $78,100. While housing costs stay relatively low, the extremely limited income leaves minimal margin for healthcare, transportation, childcare, and other necessities.

Fulton demands realistic expectations

Fulton County's ultra-low rents ($542/month) are genuinely affordable, but the county's strained economy (lowest median income in this survey) means you'll need either remote income, significant savings, or a job offer paying above the local median to avoid financial stress. Compare Fulton's housing bargain against limited employment prospects before relocating.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fulton County

via IncomeByCounty

Fulton faces 51% national income gap

Fulton County's median household income of $36,834 represents the lowest among profiled counties and falls $37,921 short of the U.S. median of $74,755—a 51% gap. Fulton ranks among America's lowest-earning counties.

Lowest earner in Kentucky

Fulton County's median income of $36,834 ranks dead last statewide, falling 34% below Kentucky's state average of $55,909. Its per capita income of $20,202 is the lowest among all profiled counties.

Significant income shortfall vs. all peers

Fulton ($36,834) earns substantially less than all seven comparison counties, including second-lowest Floyd ($41,582). The county faces structural economic challenges requiring targeted workforce and business development.

Affordable housing, stretched budgets

At 17.7%, Fulton's rent-to-income ratio is favorable, and median home values of $78,100 are the lowest profiled. However, low absolute incomes make any housing cost burdensome for working families.

Start small, build financial resilience

Fulton households earning $36,834 benefit most from emergency savings and employer retirement programs, however modest. Accessing free financial literacy resources and local credit unions can help even small savings grow over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fulton County

via HealthByCounty

Fulton faces severe health disadvantage

At 68.3 years, Fulton County's life expectancy falls 7.8 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, marking one of America's most vulnerable communities. Over 32% report poor or fair health—the highest rate in this cohort—reflecting concentrated poverty and healthcare access crises.

Among Kentucky's most struggling counties

Fulton's 68.3-year life expectancy ranks 3.9 years below Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, positioning it among the state's most fragile health systems. Its 32.2% poor/fair health rate is the worst among these eight counties, signaling acute need for intervention.

Lowest life expectancy in the region

Fulton's 68.3-year life expectancy trails all nearby counties, rivaling even Floyd County's crisis. Its 32.2% poor/fair health rate represents the deepest health crisis in this geographic cohort, reflecting extreme resource scarcity and systemic disadvantage.

Severe shortage of doctors and services

Fulton has only 15 primary care providers and 32 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest capacity in Kentucky. With 6.8% uninsured and minimal local infrastructure, residents often travel long distances for basic care, delaying treatment and worsening outcomes.

Coverage is essential in Fulton County

Fulton residents cannot afford to go uninsured—contact kynect.ky.gov or call 1-855-4-KYNECT to secure affordable coverage today. Insurance is your gateway to preventive care, chronic disease management, and the health security your family deserves.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fulton County

via RiskByCounty

Fulton ranks slightly above national average

Fulton County's composite risk score of 46.76 sits moderately above the national average, reflecting somewhat elevated exposure to natural disasters. However, the score masks significant regional variation—earthquake risk is notably high while wildfire risk remains minimal.

Slightly elevated within Kentucky context

Fulton's score of 46.76 slightly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it in the lower-moderate risk tier. The county's profile is more favorable than most of eastern and central Kentucky's high-risk zones.

Moderate risk in western Kentucky region

Fulton's risk profile (46.76) is notably higher than neighboring Gallatin County (17.27) but similar to Franklin County (64.47) in different directions. The county's western Kentucky location provides some geographic protection compared to eastern regions.

Earthquake risk surprisingly elevated here

Fulton County faces exceptional earthquake risk with a score of 91.92—far exceeding its overall county ranking and the state average. Tornado risk (50.35) presents a secondary but notable concern, while flood and wildfire risks remain relatively modest.

Earthquake coverage warrants serious consideration

Given Fulton's unusually high earthquake risk (91.92), residents should strongly consider adding earthquake insurance to their homeowner policies—it's rarely included in standard coverage. Standard homeowner insurance with tornado riders covers most other natural hazard exposures adequately.

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.