Garrard County scores 74.1 on the livability index, well above the national median of 50.0. This strong showing places it among the more livable counties nationwide.
2 / 5
Competitive Within Kentucky
At 74.1, Garrard County nearly matches Kentucky's state average of 75.0, ranking solidly within the Commonwealth's livability standings. It compares favorably to most Kentucky counties.
3 / 5
Good Income with Low Tax Burden
Garrard County's income score of 24.2 supports a median household income of $62,572, among the stronger earners in this group. Its tax score of 82.0 and 0.720% effective rate keep costs down.
4 / 5
Housing Costs Moderate Overall Value
The cost score of 80.6 reflects median rent at $793 and median home values of $186,800, higher than more rural alternatives. Missing data on health, schools, and safety obscures the full livability picture.
5 / 5
Sweet Spot for Rural Professionals
Garrard County appeals to working professionals and families seeking reasonable incomes with moderate housing costs and low taxes. It's ideal for those balancing rural living with above-average earning potential.
Garrard County scores 74.1 on the livability index, well above the national median of 50.0. This strong showing places it among the more livable counties nationwide.
Competitive Within Kentucky
At 74.1, Garrard County nearly matches Kentucky's state average of 75.0, ranking solidly within the Commonwealth's livability standings. It compares favorably to most Kentucky counties.
Good Income with Low Tax Burden
Garrard County's income score of 24.2 supports a median household income of $62,572, among the stronger earners in this group. Its tax score of 82.0 and 0.720% effective rate keep costs down.
Housing Costs Moderate Overall Value
The cost score of 80.6 reflects median rent at $793 and median home values of $186,800, higher than more rural alternatives. Missing data on health, schools, and safety obscures the full livability picture.
Sweet Spot for Rural Professionals
Garrard County appeals to working professionals and families seeking reasonable incomes with moderate housing costs and low taxes. It's ideal for those balancing rural living with above-average earning potential.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Garrard County's 0.720% effective tax rate is less than one-third the national property tax burden, placing it in the bottom 30% nationally. The median tax of $1,344 is roughly 50% below the national median of $2,690.
Essentially at Kentucky average
At 0.720%, Garrard County's rate nearly matches Kentucky's 0.719% state average, placing it solidly in the state's middle tier. Its median tax of $1,344 is 23% above the state median of $1,093, reflecting moderately higher property values than rural neighbors.
Moderate rate in central region
Garrard County's 0.720% rate sits between lower-taxed rural counties like Estill (0.691%) and Fleming (0.715%) and higher-taxed areas like Gallatin (0.808%) and Franklin (0.842%). The county occupies a middle ground in central Kentucky's tax landscape.
Median home costs $1,344 annually
A homeowner with Garrard County's median property value of $186,800 pays roughly $1,344 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the total annual payment including escrow typically reaches about $1,449.
Verify your home's assessed value
Garrard County property owners should periodically check whether their assessed valuations align with recent comparable home sales. If your assessment seems inflated, requesting a formal reassessment from the county assessor could lower your annual tax burden.
Garrard County's 15.2% rent-to-income ratio represents Kentucky's best housing affordability in this survey, where households earning $62,572 comfortably support $793 monthly rent. This central Kentucky county combines moderate incomes with carefully balanced housing costs, creating genuine financial flexibility for residents.
Best rent-to-income in Kentucky
Garrard County's 15.2% rent-to-income ratio leads all surveyed Kentucky counties, surpassing even top-tier alternatives like Fleming (16.4%) and Gallatin (16.5%). At $793/month, rents run slightly above the state median while the county's strong median income ($62,572) keeps affordability at its absolute best statewide.
Central Kentucky champion
Garrard's 15.2% ratio outpaces all nearby competitors: Estill (18.8%), Fayette (19.5%), Gallatin (16.5%), and Franklin (17.1%) all show higher housing burdens. While Garrard's $793 rent doesn't offer rock-bottom pricing like Fleming, the county's combination of decent income and moderate costs creates unmatched affordability.
Best housing balance in survey
Garrard households earning $62,572 spend $793 on rent (15.2% of income) or $891 on mortgage payments for homes valued around $186,800. With nearly 85% of income remaining for other expenses, Garrard residents enjoy the most financial breathing room among all counties surveyed.
Garrard offers Kentucky's best balance
If you're relocating to Kentucky and prioritize maximum housing affordability while maintaining reasonable income levels, Garrard County delivers the best rent-to-income ratio (15.2%) in this entire survey. The county's $793 rent and $62,572 median income combination leaves more discretionary funds for savings and quality of life than any alternative.
Garrard County's median household income of $62,572 trails the national median of $74,755 by $12,183, or 16%. This places Garrard among above-average earning counties nationwide.
Upper-tier Kentucky county
Garrard's median income of $62,572 exceeds Kentucky's state average of $55,909 by $6,663, ranking it firmly in the state's upper income tier. Its per capita income of $30,619 outpaces the state average of $29,616.
Tied for fourth among peer counties
Garrard ($62,572) virtually matches Gallatin ($62,247) and ranks fourth overall, behind Fayette and Franklin but ahead of smaller counties. Garrard's central location supports consistent income performance.
Best rent-to-income ratio in region
Garrard's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% is the lowest among all eight profiled counties, indicating exceptional housing affordability. Median home values of $186,800 pair well with the median household income.
Strong foundation for wealth accumulation
Garrard households earning $62,572 can confidently fund retirement contributions, education savings, and long-term investments. The county's affordability advantage creates exceptional opportunity to build multi-generational wealth.
At 73.7 years, Garrard County's life expectancy falls 2.4 years short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 23.7% reporting poor or fair health—above the national average of 18%—the county faces moderate health headwinds despite reasonable life expectancy.
Above Kentucky's average by small margin
Garrard's 73.7-year life expectancy ranks 1.5 years above Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, placing it among this cohort's stronger performers. Its 23.7% poor/fair health rate sits near the state middle, reflecting balanced but not exceptional healthcare outcomes.
Solid health standing among peers
Garrard's 73.7-year life expectancy trails only Fayette (76.7) and Franklin (73.0) among these eight counties, positioning it above most rural neighbors. Its 23.7% poor/fair health rate reflects moderate resource constraints typical of smaller Appalachian communities.
Limited providers, highest uninsured rate
Garrard has 23 primary care providers and 39 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—sparse for a health system. At 8.8% uninsured—the highest rate in this cohort—nearly 1 in 11 residents lack coverage, creating barriers to routine and preventive care despite moderate life expectancy.
Cover yourself and your family today
Garrard's 8.8% uninsured rate demands urgent action—go to kynect.ky.gov or call 1-855-4-KYNECT to explore affordable options now. Insurance protects your health and finances, ensuring your family can access care when it matters most.
Garrard County's composite risk score of 30.25 sits well below the national average, indicating minimal exposure to major natural disasters. This very low ranking reflects a fortunate geographic position across virtually all primary hazard categories.
Among Kentucky's safest counties
Garrard's score of 30.25 ranks significantly below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing the county comfortably in the lower-risk tier. The county enjoys one of the commonwealth's most favorable natural disaster profiles.
Well-positioned in central Kentucky region
Garrard's risk level (30.25) is substantially lower than nearby Fayette County (92.05) and Franklin County (64.47), though slightly higher than Gallatin County (17.27) to its north. The county occupies a relatively protected zone in central Kentucky.
Tornado and flood risks merit monitoring
Garrard's tornado risk of 57.57 represents its highest exposure, though still moderate compared to state averages and significantly lower than neighboring high-risk counties. Flood risk (40.94) poses a secondary concern affecting properties near waterways and low-lying areas.
Standard insurance covers most exposures
Garrard County residents should obtain homeowner insurance with comprehensive tornado and wind protection to address the county's highest-risk category. Flood insurance is recommended only for properties in mapped flood zones or historically flood-prone locations.