countyscore
68.3
County Score
Cost of Living 92.6Disaster Risk 86Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Green County, Kentucky

Significantly Above the National Median

Green County boasts a composite score of 68.3, placing it well into the upper percentiles of American counties. This high score suggests an exceptional overall quality of life for its residents.

One of Kentucky's Elite Counties

Ranking far above the Kentucky state average of 58.6, Green County is a regional leader. Its score of 68.3 highlights a rare combination of safety, stability, and extreme affordability.

Unmatched Affordability and Environmental Safety

Green County features a stellar Cost Score of 92.6 and a Risk Score of 86.0. Median home values sit at a highly accessible $118,900, while natural disaster risks remain minimal.

Very Low Local Earnings

The primary challenge is an Income Score of 3.4, reflecting a median household income of $41,087. While costs are low, local wage growth and high-paying job opportunities are limited.

Best for Retirees or Remote Workers

Green County is a paradise for those who bring their income with them or are looking to stretch retirement savings. It offers a secure, peaceful, and incredibly inexpensive lifestyle that few other counties can match.

2040608010070.592.682.234.364.33.4868659.9Tax70.5Cost92.6Safety82.2Health34.3Schools64.3Income3.4Risk86Water86Weather59.968.3/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

Green County DNA

C-overall

How Green County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Green County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Cost of Living (92.6/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
70.5+18.5
Cost
92.6+44.599999999999994
Safety
82.2+27.200000000000003
Health
34.3-15.700000000000003
Schools
64.3+10.299999999999997
Income
3.4-47.6
Risk
86+39
Water
86+28
Weather
59.9
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$118,900

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$612/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$118,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$24,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $41,087/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

35.5

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
Compare Green County with McPherson County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

McPherson County
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Median income: $71,771
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Yancey County
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Median income: $54,961
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Brown County
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Median income: $72,644
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Ohio County
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Franklin County
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Median income: $57,692
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Wells County
North Dakota
Median income: $61,346
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Perry County
Tennessee
Median income: $50,489
68.2

Nearby counties

Taylor County
Kentucky
60
Adair County
Kentucky
65.7
Larue County
Kentucky
61.6
Metcalfe County
Kentucky
64
Hart County
Kentucky
63.6
Marion County
Kentucky
62.5
Barren County
Kentucky
53.3
Casey County
Kentucky
67.4

Deep Dives

Green County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Green County

via TaxByCounty

Green County keeps taxes remarkably low

Green County's effective tax rate of 0.632% sits well below the national median of approximately 0.85%, placing it in the lowest third of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $752 is barely one-quarter the national median of $2,690.

Below-average taxes in Kentucky

Green County's 0.632% effective rate falls below Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, making it an affordable option within the commonwealth. With median taxes of $752 versus the state median of $1,093, Green County residents enjoy about $341 in annual savings.

Lowest-valued homes, lowest taxes

Green County's $752 median tax is the lowest in its regional peer group, reflecting the county's lowest median home value of $118,900. This combination makes Green County the most budget-friendly option for first-time or value-conscious homebuyers in the region.

What your Green County home costs

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $118,900 pays approximately $752 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $746 when including escrow and insurance; without a mortgage, it drops to $765.

Even small appeals add up

Green County's already-modest taxes can be reduced further if your property is overassessed. Contact the Green County Property Valuation Administrator to challenge your assessment—even a small reduction yields meaningful savings over time.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Green County

via CostByCounty

Green County affordability strains

Green County renters spend 17.9% of income on housing, creeping above Kentucky's state average and pointing to tighter budgets despite low absolute rents of $612. Against a median household income of $41,087—well below the national $74,755—housing pressure is real.

Affordable but income-challenged

Green County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Kentucky's 17.0% average, ranking it among the state's less affordable counties. The $612 median rent is competitive, but the $41,087 median income is the second-lowest in this dataset, explaining the gap.

Cheapest rents, lowest incomes

Green County ties Grayson for the region's lowest rent at $612, yet carries a higher rent-to-income ratio due to earnings trailing most peers. Among these eight counties, Green has both the lowest home values ($118,900) and the second-lowest median income.

Housing costs on tight budgets

Renters allocate $612 monthly while homeowners pay $559 against a median income of just $41,087. Housing claims roughly 18% of earnings for renters, stretching household budgets and leaving less flexibility for emergencies or savings.

For the truly budget-conscious

Green County offers rock-bottom rents and home values, ideal for those with minimal income or seeking maximum housing leverage. However, local wage levels are among the state's lowest, so weigh the savings against potential job market limitations.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Green County

via IncomeByCounty

Green County faces severe income gap

Green County's median household income of $41,087 is 45.0% below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing one of Kentucky's most economically challenged communities. The substantial shortfall reflects limited job diversity and wage growth.

Lowest income among sampled counties

At $41,087, Green County's median household income is 26.6% below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, placing it among the state's poorest counties. Household earnings here face significant structural constraints.

Struggles most in this regional cluster

Green County's $41,087 median income is the lowest among its peer group, significantly trailing Grayson County ($49,893), Graves County ($50,576), and all other sampled neighbors. The gap suggests acute local economic barriers.

Housing costs strain tight budgets

With a rent-to-income ratio of 17.9%, housing consumes a notably larger share of household earnings than the national average, reducing funds for other essentials. A median home value of $118,900 is relatively affordable in absolute terms but still represents years of median household income.

Start with basic financial stability

Green County households should prioritize building three-month emergency savings and exploring employer benefits like retirement matches before other investments. Community development programs and workforce training offer tangible paths to higher earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Green County

via CrimeByCounty

Green County is exceptionally secure

Green County achieves a safety score of 99.3, making it one of the more secure counties in the nation. Its total crime rate of 428.6 per 100K is just a fraction of the national average of 2,385.5.

Ranks among Kentucky's safest counties

The county's safety score of 99.3 easily beats the Kentucky average of 98.8. Its total crime rate of 428.6 per 100K is significantly better than the state average of 786.2.

Comparing Green and neighboring areas

Green County's crime rate of 428.6 per 100K is substantially lower than Grayson County's rate of 691.5. Two local reporting agencies provide the data that confirms this area's high level of public safety.

Low rates for all crime categories

Violent crime is rare in Green County, with a rate of 71.4 per 100K compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also exceptionally low at 357.2 per 100K.

Maintaining a secure local environment

Even in an exceptionally safe county like Green, simple deterrents can prevent property crimes. Keeping valuables out of sight and securing outdoor sheds helps keep local crime rates at their current low levels.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Green County

via SchoolsByCounty

Intimate Rural Schooling Environment

Green County operates a compact system of six public schools serving 1,637 students under a single district. The infrastructure features two primary/elementary schools, one middle school, and three high school programs.

Strong Investment and Academic Results

Green County invests heavily in its students with a per-pupil expenditure of $7,905, well above the state average. This investment yields a 92.0% graduation rate and a school score of 56.5, which beats the Kentucky median.

Unified District Excellence

The Green County district manages all local students, with Green County High School standing as the largest institution at 466 students. There are no charter schools, keeping the community focused on its traditional public campuses.

Entirely Rural and Close-Knit

Every school in the county is classified as rural, creating a consistent and cohesive learning atmosphere. The average school size is 409 students, providing an environment where teachers can truly know their pupils.

Relocate to a Dedicated School Community

For families seeking high per-pupil investment and a small-town rural feel, Green County is a top contender. Explore local real estate to take advantage of the county's strong academic performance and community spirit.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Green County

via RiskByCounty

Green County is among Kentucky's safest

Green County scores just 14.03 on the composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, well below Kentucky's state average of 44.21. It ranks among the nation's low-risk counties for natural disasters.

Lowest risk in central Kentucky

Green County's 14.03 score places it near the very bottom of Kentucky's disaster risk ranking. Few counties statewide offer comparable protection from natural hazards.

One of the safest in the region

Green County's 14.03 score edges out nearby Grant County (16.29) and significantly undercuts Grayson County (45.26) and Graves County (83.97). The county benefits from minimal exposure across nearly all hazard types.

Tornado is the primary concern

Tornado risk at 46.12 represents Green County's biggest natural disaster threat, though it remains below state average. All other hazards—earthquake, hurricane, wildfire, and flood—score well below the state mean.

Basic tornado coverage suffices

Green County's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners insurance with tornado coverage typically provides adequate protection for most residents. The low risk does not eliminate the need for appropriate coverage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Green County

via WaterByCounty

Green County Achieves Top Compliance Tier

Green County holds a Grade A for drinking water safety, with zero health violations recorded in the last five years. This performance is a major success compared to the statewide average violation rate of 35.7.

Assessed Waters Meet Federal Standards

The single water body assessed in the 2022 reporting cycle shows 0.0% impairment, meeting all Clean Water Act requirements. However, many of the county's water bodies are not yet covered in the federal Section 303(d) assessment.

High Measurement Density at Three Sites

Despite having only 3 monitoring sites, Green County has recorded 3,552 measurements over the past five years. Data collection is robust, focusing heavily on inorganics, metals, and non-metals.

USGS Flow Data Currently Unavailable

Green County does not currently host an active USGS streamgage to provide live flow or discharge data. Compliance records remain the most reliable source for assessing local water safety in real-time.

Protect Unassessed Rural Waterways

Green County has excellent compliance, but only one water body has been formally assessed by the EPA. Residents should be mindful of runoff into smaller, unassessed streams to help maintain the county's high water quality grade.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Green County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer and Wetter Than the National Median

Green County maintains an average annual temperature of 56.9°F, making it warmer than the typical American county. It also receives 51.7 inches of rain, placing it in the top tier of precipitation across the country.

One of Kentucky’s Warmer Counties

Green County exceeds the Kentucky state average temperature of 56.2°F by 0.7 degrees. Its 51.7 inches of annual precipitation is also slightly higher than the state-wide average of 50.6 inches.

Beating the Heat in South-Central Kentucky

The county faces 41 days of extreme heat annually, which is higher than its neighbor Grayson County. This makes Green County one of the more heat-prone areas in the immediate region during the peak of summer.

Long Summers and Mild Winters

Summers are intense with a July average of 77.6°F and over 40 days reaching 90°F or higher. Winters stay relatively mild compared to northern Kentucky, with a January average that remains above freezing at 35.1°F.

Plan for Sustained Summer Heat

With 41 days above 90°F, residents should plan outdoor activities for early mornings or late evenings. Ensuring your home has adequate attic insulation will help manage cooling costs during the extended hot season.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Green County

via SoilByCounty

Undocumented Soil Characteristics

Green County currently lacks specific data for soil pH and taxonomic order in the available records. Local farmers generally manage for acidity relative to the state's 5.80 average and the national 6.5 median.

The Mystery of Soil Texture

There are no recorded percentages for sand, silt, or clay in this county. Gardeners should perform a simple jar test at home to identify their specific mix and drainage potential.

Building Toward State Standards

Organic matter and water capacity data are missing, making it vital to add compost and mulch to reach the state fertility average. Kentucky's average organic matter level is 3.55%, a great target for any grower.

Water Management Strategies

Without specific drainage class or hydrologic group data, local observation is key. Ensure your planting sites avoid low spots where water might collect after heavy spring rains.

Green County Gardening in 7a

The Zone 7a climate offers a generous window for growing tomatoes, melons, and summer flowers. With a little soil testing, you can turn this land into a highly productive garden space.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Green County

via LawnByCounty

Balanced Lawn Conditions

Green County holds a difficulty score of 59.7, making it slightly more demanding than the average Kentucky lawn. However, it still outperforms the national median of 50, providing a fair environment for local gardeners. The zone 7a climate offers a long growing season for dedicated homeowners.

Coping with Extreme Heat

With 41 extreme heat days per year, Green County is significantly hotter than the Kentucky average of 30 days. Lawns rely on 51.7 inches of annual precipitation to survive these temperature spikes. The high 4,184 growing degree days mean turf grows quickly when water is available.

Foundational Soil Needs

Specific soil metrics are not currently available, but the high heat and rainfall suggest a need for vigilant nutrient management. Homeowners should test their soil to ensure it hasn't become too acidic from the heavy annual rains. Maintaining proper drainage is essential for preventing root rot during wet periods.

Consistent Moisture Levels

Green County experienced six weeks of drought over the past year, which is manageable for most established lawns. There are currently no abnormally dry areas, giving homeowners a break from intensive watering. Routine mulching can help the soil retain its 51.7 inches of natural rainfall more effectively.

Planting for the Heat

Heat-hardy grass types like Zoysia or hybrid Bermuda are great options for the 41 days of intense summer heat. The best time to seed or sod is between the April 15th spring frost and the October 24th fall frost. Start your lawn journey this spring for the best establishment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Green County's county score?
Green County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 68.3 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 Green County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Green County ranks #12 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 Green County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Green County is $752, with an effective tax rate of 0.63%. This earns Green County a tax score of 70.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Green County?
The median household income in Green County, Kentucky is $41,087 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Green County earns an income score of 3.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Green County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Green County scores 68.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #12 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Green 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 Green County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.