countyscore
58.5
County Score
Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 82.8Safety 81.8

County Report Card

About Gallatin County, Kentucky

Strong National Performer

Gallatin County earns a strong 59.1 composite score, outperforming the national median of 50.0. Its high ranking is driven by a combination of safety and environmental stability.

Beating the State Average

Gallatin County sits just above the Kentucky state average of 58.6. It provides a more balanced profile than many of its neighbors, avoiding the extreme lows seen elsewhere in the region.

Resilient and Secure Environment

Environmental resilience is a major draw, with a risk score of 82.8 and a water quality score of 86.0. The county also maintains high safety standards, earning an 81.8 in that category.

Infrastructure Needs Improvement

Health and schools are the main areas for improvement, scoring 40.2 and 46.3 respectively. These scores suggest that while the physical environment is safe, social infrastructure still has room to grow.

Perfect for Outdoor Families

This county is ideal for families seeking a safe, low-risk environment with moderate housing costs. It offers a secure Kentucky lifestyle with strong foundational environmental and safety metrics.

2040608010048.260.181.840.246.343.982.88661.8Tax48.2Cost60.1Safety81.8Health40.2Schools46.3Income43.9Risk82.8Water86Weather61.858.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average

Gallatin County DNA

Foverall

How Gallatin County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Gallatin County excels in 4 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Disaster Risk (82.8/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Health (40.2/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
48.2
Cost
60.1+12.100000000000001
Safety
81.8+26.799999999999997
Health
40.2-9.799999999999997
Schools
46.3
Income
43.9
Risk
82.8+35.8
Water
86+28
Weather
61.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Gallatin County?

Many homeowners in Gallatin County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$178,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$832/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$178,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $63,346/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

22.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Chippewa County
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Granite County
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Clarion County
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Bristol County
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Nearby counties

Switzerland County
Indiana
66.3
Grant County
Kentucky
59.1
Ohio County
Indiana
67
Boone County
Kentucky
47.3
Carroll County
Kentucky
58.6
Owen County
Kentucky
61.3
Kenton County
Kentucky
49.7
Dearborn County
Indiana
63.4

Deep Dives

Gallatin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Gallatin County

via TaxByCounty

Gallatin taxes well below U.S. average

Gallatin County's 0.808% effective tax rate is less than one-third the national property tax burden, placing it in the bottom 35% nationally. The median tax of $1,368 is about 49% below the national median of $2,690.

Above Kentucky's average rate

At 0.808%, Gallatin County's rate exceeds Kentucky's 0.719% state average by about 12%, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. Its median tax of $1,368 is 25% above the state median of $1,093, reflecting above-average property values.

Higher than nearby rural counties

Gallatin County's 0.808% rate exceeds most neighboring rural counties like Estill (0.691%), Fleming (0.715%), and Garrard (0.720%), but falls below Fayette County's 0.891%. The county's proximity to the Cincinnati metro area and higher property values explain the elevated rate.

Median home costs $1,368 annually

A homeowner with Gallatin County's median property value of $169,400 pays roughly $1,368 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the escrow-included payment typically reaches about $1,562 annually.

Check your assessment for accuracy

Gallatin County homeowners should compare their assessed values to recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods. If your assessment appears high, filing an appeal with the county assessor could reduce your annual tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gallatin County

via IncomeByCounty

Gallatin closes 17% of national gap

Gallatin County's median household income of $62,247 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $12,508, or 17%. This positions Gallatin solidly above median for American counties and reflects its northern Kentucky location.

Above-average Kentucky earner

Gallatin's income of $62,247 exceeds Kentucky's state average of $55,909 by $6,338, placing it in the upper tier of state counties. Its per capita income of $30,216 modestly outpaces the state average of $29,616.

Strong peer among northern counties

Gallatin ($62,247) ranks fourth among the eight profiled counties, trailing only Fayette and Franklin but competitive with Garrard ($62,572). Gallatin's proximity to the Cincinnati metropolitan area supports stronger income growth.

Manageable housing costs, solid fundamentals

Gallatin's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% is the second-lowest among profiled counties, reflecting strong housing affordability. Median home values of $169,400 align reasonably with household earning power.

Gallatin families can prioritize investing

With $62,247 median household income, Gallatin residents have meaningful capacity to fund college savings, retirement accounts, and diversified investments. Strategic financial planning positions households for generational wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Gallatin County

via CrimeByCounty

Gallatin County Outperforms National Safety Benchmarks

Gallatin County reports 435.8 crimes per 100,000 residents, far below the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county a strong safety score of 99.3.

Above-Average Safety for Kentucky

The county’s safety score of 99.3 is higher than the state average of 98.8. Law enforcement successfully maintains a safety profile that ranks well within the Commonwealth's standards.

Strong Regional Performance

With a total rate of 435.8, Gallatin is much safer than the state average of 786.2. It maintains a low-crime reputation even when compared to larger neighbors along the Ohio River.

Low Violent Crime Incident Rates

The violent crime rate is just 45.9 per 100,000, while property crime stands at 389.9. These numbers indicate that serious violent crime is infrequent in this close-knit community.

Maintaining a Secure Household

Maintaining a secure home is straightforward with such low local crime rates. Keep your property well-lit and stay connected with neighbors to preserve the county's safe environment.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Gallatin County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate Ohio Valley Climate

Gallatin County averages 55.2°F annually, placing it above the national median for temperature. Its location on the Ohio River helps moderate the local weather patterns.

Cooler Northern Exposure

At 55.2°F, Gallatin is a full degree cooler than the Kentucky state average of 56.2°F. It represents the cooler, northernmost climate profile in the state.

Low Precipitation for Kentucky

The county receives 47.8 inches of rain per year, which is nearly 3 inches below the state average. This makes it one of the drier counties in the northern Bluegrass region.

Hot Summers and Light Snow

The county faces 26 days of extreme heat over 90°F during its 74.5°F average summer. Winter is relatively mild with only 6.5 inches of annual snowfall on average.

Light Winter, Heavy Cooling

While 6.5 inches of snow is manageable with basic supplies, the 26 days of extreme heat require robust cooling. Residents should also account for the slightly drier conditions when planning local gardens.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Gallatin County

via SoilByCounty

Northern Kentucky River Soils

Gallatin County's soil characteristics, including pH and taxonomic order, are currently unavailable in this database. As a northern Kentucky county in Zone 6b, it experiences typical Ohio River Valley seasonal variations.

Alluvial Deposit Potential

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are missing for Gallatin. Historically, these river-adjacent soils offer a mix of alluvial deposits that can be quite productive for local agriculture.

Improving Local Fertility

While organic matter data is not listed, the county's potential is framed by the state's 3.55% organic matter average. Local growers can utilize the state average soil score of 56.2 as a benchmark for improvement.

Navigating the Ohio River Basin

Hydrologic and drainage class details are not provided for the county. Those building or farming near the Ohio River should be particularly mindful of seasonal water level changes and potential saturation.

Reliable Rainfall in Zone 6b

Hardiness Zone 6b is an excellent environment for traditional Kentucky crops and summer vegetables. Residents are encouraged to test their local soil and take advantage of the reliable rainfall in this region.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Gallatin County

via LawnByCounty

Gallatin County Lawns Benefit from Balance

Gallatin County features a lawn difficulty score of 74.8, suggesting a high rate of success for local homeowners. This score is significantly better than the Kentucky state average of 66.3, thanks to a manageable 6b hardiness zone climate.

Rainfall Hits the Sweet Spot

With 47.8 inches of annual rain, Gallatin falls right in the middle of the ideal 30-50 inch range for lawn health. The county experiences 26 extreme heat days, requiring a balanced approach to summer irrigation to prevent heat stress.

Check Your Local Drainage Class

Soil data is not currently recorded for Gallatin, so a manual drainage test is highly recommended before planting. Ensuring your soil can handle the 47.8 inches of rain without waterlogging is key to preventing root rot in zone 6b.

Minimal Drought History Protects Turf

The county spent only two weeks in drought conditions over the past year, making it one of the more stable areas for moisture. To maintain this health, avoid mowing your grass too short, which helps the soil retain its natural moisture.

Maximize the Fall Planting Window

The period between the last frost on April 17 and the first frost on October 29 offers ample time for turf establishment. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass will thrive given the 3,803 growing degree days available annually.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gallatin County's county score?
Gallatin County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 58.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Gallatin County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Gallatin County ranks #70 among all counties in Kentucky on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Gallatin County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Gallatin County is $1,476, with an effective tax rate of 0.83%. This earns Gallatin County a tax score of 48.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Gallatin County?
The median household income in Gallatin County, Kentucky is $63,346 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Gallatin County earns an income score of 43.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Gallatin County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Gallatin County scores 58.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #70 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Gallatin County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Gallatin County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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