Hancock County's composite score of 76.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 53%, placing it well above average in livability and affordability. This strong performance reflects balanced strengths across taxes, costs, and income.
2 / 5
Above Kentucky's Average Performance
Hancock County scores 76.5, exceeding the state average of 75.0 and ranking among Kentucky's better-performing counties. This positions it favorably within the state's livability landscape.
3 / 5
Balanced Income, Tax, and Affordability
Hancock County delivers a median household income of $66,836 with a tax score of 83.2 and effective rate of 0.679%, offering solid earning potential with reasonable tax burden. The cost score of 83.9 reflects median home values of $137,600 and rents at $752/month.
4 / 5
Limited Data on Community Quality Factors
Data on safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality are not yet available for Hancock County. Complete livability assessment awaits release of these critical quality-of-life dimensions.
5 / 5
Ideal for Middle-Income Families Seeking Balance
Hancock County appeals to working families and professionals seeking good income potential without excessive housing costs or tax burden. It offers a balanced profile for those wanting stability and moderate affordability in rural Kentucky.
Hancock County's composite score of 76.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 53%, placing it well above average in livability and affordability. This strong performance reflects balanced strengths across taxes, costs, and income.
Above Kentucky's Average Performance
Hancock County scores 76.5, exceeding the state average of 75.0 and ranking among Kentucky's better-performing counties. This positions it favorably within the state's livability landscape.
Balanced Income, Tax, and Affordability
Hancock County delivers a median household income of $66,836 with a tax score of 83.2 and effective rate of 0.679%, offering solid earning potential with reasonable tax burden. The cost score of 83.9 reflects median home values of $137,600 and rents at $752/month.
Limited Data on Community Quality Factors
Data on safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality are not yet available for Hancock County. Complete livability assessment awaits release of these critical quality-of-life dimensions.
Ideal for Middle-Income Families Seeking Balance
Hancock County appeals to working families and professionals seeking good income potential without excessive housing costs or tax burden. It offers a balanced profile for those wanting stability and moderate affordability in rural Kentucky.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛83.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Hancock County's effective tax rate of 0.679% falls below the national median of roughly 0.85%, placing it in the lower-middle tier of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $935 is less than one-third the national median of $2,690.
Slightly below Kentucky's average
Hancock County's 0.679% effective rate sits just below Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, making it a typical Kentucky county for tax purposes. Residents pay a median of $935 versus the state median of $1,093, saving about $158 annually.
Mid-range taxes in its peer group
Hancock County's $935 median tax positions it between Graves County ($929) and Grant County ($1,339) in the regional ranking. The modest median home value of $137,600 keeps the county competitive for budget-conscious homebuyers.
What your Hancock County home costs
A homeowner with a median-valued property of $137,600 pays approximately $935 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,257 when including escrow and insurance; without a mortgage, it drops to $683.
Appeals can lower your tax burden
Many Hancock County property owners are paying more than necessary due to outdated or inflated assessments. File an appeal with the Hancock County Property Valuation Administrator if you believe your property is overvalued—it's a free process that could save you hundreds.
Hancock County renters spend just 13.5% of income on housing—the best ratio in this dataset and far below national standards of 28-30%. At $752 monthly rent against $66,836 median income, the county delivers uncommon affordability.
Kentucky's affordability standout
With a 13.5% rent-to-income ratio, Hancock County decisively beats Kentucky's 17.0% state average and ranks among the state's most affordable counties. The combination of moderate rent and strong income makes this county exceptionally livable.
Best affordability in the region
Hancock County's 13.5% rent-to-income ratio tops every other county in this analysis, including Grant County (15.1%) and Greenup County (16.8%). Its balanced rents and strong median income of $66,836 stand out starkly.
Housing that leaves room to breathe
Renters allocate $752 monthly while homeowners pay $726 against a median income of $66,836. Housing claims roughly 13-14% of earnings, the lowest burden in this dataset and well within financial health guidelines.
Top choice for affordability seekers
Hancock County offers the rare combination of affordable rents and strong wages, making it Kentucky's standout option for those prioritizing financial breathing room. If housing affordability tops your relocation checklist, Hancock deserves your first serious look.
Hancock County's median household income of $66,836 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 10.6%, demonstrating solid earning power for a Kentucky county. The strong position reflects a relatively vibrant local economy.
Well above Kentucky's state average
At $66,836, Hancock County's median household income runs 19.5% higher than Kentucky's state average of $55,909, ranking it among the state's most prosperous communities. Households here significantly outpace typical statewide earnings.
Competitive with nearby high-earners
Hancock County's $66,836 median income rivals Grant County ($67,940) and Hardin County ($67,608), making it part of a prosperous northern Kentucky cluster. All three counties substantially outperform state and regional averages.
Most affordable housing in group
With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.5%, Hancock County has the lowest housing-cost burden among sampled counties, freeing up income for savings and investments. A median home value of $137,600 aligns well with household earning capacity.
Maximize wealth-building opportunities
Hancock County's strong income and low housing burden position residents to aggressively fund retirement accounts and build investment portfolios. Working with a financial planner can help optimize tax strategies and diversify assets across stocks, bonds, and real estate.
At 74.8 years, Hancock County's life expectancy tops the U.S. average by nearly 3 years, placing it among America's longest-living counties. With 20.4% reporting poor or fair health, Hancock ranks better than the national average and indicates a particularly healthy population.
Hancock County is Kentucky's healthiest
Hancock's 74.8-year life expectancy surpasses Kentucky's 72.2-year state average by 2.6 years, the largest advantage in this region. At 5.9% uninsured, Hancock nearly matches the nation's best rates and significantly beats Kentucky's 7.0% average.
Excellent health outcomes with strong coverage
Hancock County's 5.9% uninsured rate ranks it among the state's best, and its 20.4% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in the region. While primary care provider data is limited, the county's 56 mental health providers per 100K and strong insurance coverage suggest good healthcare infrastructure.
High coverage fuels health outcomes
With 94.1% of Hancock County residents insured, the county benefits from universal coverage rates that support preventive care and chronic disease management. The county's strong mental health provider availability at 56 per 100K complements physical healthcare access.
Maintain Hancock County's health success
The tiny 5.9% of Hancock County residents without insurance should check Healthcare.gov to learn why coverage matters—data shows insured residents live longer, healthier lives. Getting covered takes minutes and protects your health and finances.
Hancock County scores 28.75 on the composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, substantially below Kentucky's state average of 44.21. This represents one of Kentucky's safer profiles for natural disaster exposure.
Well below Kentucky's average risk
Hancock County ranks in Kentucky's lower-risk tier, with its 28.75 score placing it safely below the state mean. The county avoids the elevated risks that characterize many other Kentucky regions.
Comparable to nearby low-risk counties
Hancock County's 28.75 score mirrors nearby Grant County (16.29) and outperforms Grayson County (45.26). Both Grant and Hancock counties offer well-below-average disaster risk for the region.
Earthquake and flood are secondary concerns
Earthquake risk at 70.42 is Hancock County's highest score, followed by flood risk at 48.25—both still below Kentucky's state average in overall impact. Tornado risk at 34.35 rounds out the county's modest hazard profile.
Standard coverage meets most needs
Hancock County residents should maintain homeowners insurance with tornado coverage as baseline protection, though the county's low overall risk means comprehensive riders are less critical. Flood insurance remains a prudent addition for riverside properties.