CountyScore

Gallatin County

Kentucky · KY

#29 in Kentucky
72.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Gallatin County, Kentucky

Solid Livability Above Nation

Gallatin County scores 74.0 on the livability index, well above the national median of 50.0. This strong performance reflects fundamentals that appeal broadly to families and retirees.

Near Kentucky's Top Tier

At 74.0, Gallatin County nearly matches Kentucky's state average of 75.0, positioning it as a competitive performer within the Commonwealth. It ranks among the stronger Kentucky counties for overall livability.

Balanced Income and Tax Benefits

Gallatin County's income score of 24.0 supports a median household income of $62,247, solid for the region. Its tax score of 79.6 and 0.808% effective rate maintain reasonable cost of living overall.

Housing Costs Moderate Gains

The cost score of 82.3 reflects median rent at $858 and median home values of $169,400, higher than some rural peers. Data gaps on health, schools, and safety limit a comprehensive livability assessment.

For Balanced, Moderate-Income Families

Gallatin County suits working families seeking reasonable income, moderate housing costs, and low taxes. It's best for those wanting rural Kentucky character without the lowest-income-only requirement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.6Cost82.3SafetyComing SoonHealth65.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome24Risk82.8WaterComing Soon
🏛79.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡82.8
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 Gallatin County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Gallatin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Gallatin County

via CostByCounty

Gallatin balances income and affordability

Gallatin County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Kentucky's best, where median household income of $62,247 sits only 17% below the national average and supports rents of $858/month comfortably. This northern Kentucky county offers a rare combination: above-average local incomes paired with reasonable housing costs.

Strong affordability with decent wages

Gallatin's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks in Kentucky's top tier, trailing only Fleming (16.4%) and Garrard (15.2%) for affordability. At $858/month, rents run 11% above the state median of $771, but the county's higher median income ($62,247) makes the housing burden notably lighter than statewide averages.

Northern Kentucky sweet spot

Gallatin's $858 rent and 16.5% ratio position it between rural Fleming ($677, 16.4%) and urban Fayette ($1,101, 19.5%), capturing the advantages of both worlds. The county's median income ($62,247) exceeds most rural peers while staying below Fayette levels, offering a balanced market for families seeking affordability without sacrificing access to regional employment hubs.

Comfortable housing proportion

Gallatin households earning $62,247 annually dedicate $858 to rent (16.5% of income) or $699 to mortgage payments on homes valued around $169,400. This leaves 83% of income for savings, food, healthcare, and other priorities—a comfortable proportion for working families.

Gallatin balances affordability and income

Gallatin County offers an underrated relocation option: affordability approaching Fleming's best-in-state ratio (16.5%) combined with median incomes significantly above most rural counties. If you're seeking northern Kentucky's proximity to greater Cincinnati with modest housing burdens, Gallatin's $858 rent and strong 16.5% ratio deliver genuine value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Gallatin County

via HealthByCounty

Gallatin's health lags the national standard

At 71.6 years, Gallatin County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 4.5 years. With 22.4% reporting poor or fair health—above the national average of 18%—the county faces moderate but meaningful health challenges.

Slightly below Kentucky's struggling average

Gallatin's 71.6-year life expectancy falls 0.6 years short of Kentucky's 72.2-year state average. Its 22.4% poor/fair health rate aligns with the state's broader health struggles, reflecting the rural health barriers common across Appalachian Kentucky.

Mid-range outcomes among rural peers

Gallatin's 71.6-year life expectancy ranks above Estill (69.5), Floyd (67.0), and Fulton (68.3) but below urban Fayette (76.7). Its 22.4% poor/fair health rate reflects typical rural challenges, though better than the most-distressed neighboring counties.

Moderate providers stretch thin resources

Gallatin has 46 primary care providers and 80 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—better than isolated rural counties but insufficient for modern demand. At 6.6% uninsured, most residents can technically access care, yet transportation and provider scarcity still delay needed treatment.

Get insured and stay healthy

Gallatin's 6.6% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 15 residents lack protection—visit kynect.ky.gov to close coverage gaps. Health insurance ensures preventive care access and protects your family from catastrophic medical debt.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gallatin County

via RiskByCounty

Gallatin ranks among nation's lowest-risk counties

Gallatin County's composite risk score of 17.27 places it well below the national average, making it one of America's safest counties from natural disaster perspective. This very low ranking indicates minimal exposure across all major hazard categories.

Kentucky's lowest-risk county

Gallatin's score of 17.27 ranks it at the absolute bottom of Kentucky's natural disaster risk spectrum, less than half the state average of 44.21. The county enjoys the state's most favorable safety profile.

Notably safer than all neighboring areas

Gallatin's risk profile (17.27) is substantially lower than all nearby counties, including Fleming County (30.98), Garrard County (30.25), and Fayette County (92.05). Gallatin occupies an exceptionally protected position in northern Kentucky.

Tornado risk is highest, but still modest

Gallatin's tornado risk of 46.66 represents its peak hazard exposure, though it remains well below state and national averages. Flood risk (33.87) is the only other notable concern, affecting scattered low-lying properties but posing minimal countywide threat.

Standard coverage provides excellent protection

Gallatin County residents can rely on basic homeowner insurance with standard tornado and wind riders for adequate coverage given the county's exceptionally low risk profile. Flood insurance is advisable only for properties in documented flood zones.

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.