CountyScore

Henderson County

Kentucky · KY

#98 in Kentucky
67.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Henderson County, Kentucky

Henderson tops national benchmark

Henderson County's composite score of 72.2 still exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 44%, confirming above-average livability across the U.S. However, it sits slightly below Kentucky's state average, indicating room for improvement on state comparison metrics.

Slightly below Kentucky average

At 72.2, Henderson County falls modestly short of Kentucky's 75.0 state average, placing it in the middle-to-lower portion of the commonwealth's county rankings. It represents solid but not standout livability within the state.

Balanced tax and housing value

Henderson County offers reasonable property taxes (77.6 score) at 0.878% effective rate and affordable housing (80.8 score) with median home values of $165,700 and rents at $794/month. Median household income of $58,239 provides moderate earning capacity.

Income remains an obstacle

The income score of 21.4 represents Henderson County's most significant gap, indicating below-average household earnings relative to national peers. Gaps in safety, health, school, and environmental data prevent a fuller assessment of quality-of-life factors.

For pragmatic Midwesterners

Henderson County suits practical households seeking reasonable affordability and modest tax burdens without premium amenities. It works best for those content with middle-class stability rather than ambitious income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.6Cost80.8SafetyComing SoonHealth68.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.4Risk26.9WaterComing Soon
🏛77.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.9
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 Henderson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lonoke County
Arkansas
67.6
Median income: $71,449
Fayette County
Iowa
67.6
Median income: $58,764
Madison County
Iowa
67.6
Median income: $89,542
Anderson County
Kansas
67.6
Median income: $64,925
Meade County
Kansas
67.6
Median income: $74,868

Deep Dives

Henderson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Henderson County

via TaxByCounty

Henderson County taxes well below national median

Henderson County's 0.878% effective rate and $1,455 median property tax both fall well short of national norms—the national median tax is $2,690 on homes worth $281,900. Even though Henderson's rate sits slightly above the national average, the county's lower home values keep actual tax bills manageable.

Above-average taxes for Kentucky

At 0.878%, Henderson County has the highest effective property tax rate among the eight counties profiled here, and well above Kentucky's state average of 0.719%. The median property tax of $1,455 exceeds the state median of $1,093, making Henderson one of Kentucky's higher-taxed counties.

Highest tax rate in the region

Henderson's 0.878% rate stands notably above all nearby counties: Henry County (0.821%), Harrison County (0.679%), and Hart County (0.750%). For homeowners in this region, Henderson represents the higher end of the tax spectrum.

Median home comes with steep tax bill

A typical Henderson County home valued at $165,700 generates $1,455 in annual property tax—among the highest in the region. With a mortgage, total taxes reach $1,734 per year; without one, homeowners pay $1,155 annually.

Review your assessment carefully

Given Henderson's above-average tax rate, homeowners should especially scrutinize their assessed values against recent comparable sales. An appeal to the county assessor could yield meaningful savings, particularly for properties assessed above fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Henderson County

via CostByCounty

Henderson County slightly outpaces state average

Renters in Henderson County spend 16.4% of their income on housing, slightly better than Kentucky's 17.0% state average and closer to the national affordability benchmark. Median rent of $794 runs above the state average of $771, but median household income of $58,239 provides some cushion, though it remains 22% below the national figure.

Competitive affordability across Kentucky

Henderson County ranks in the upper half of Kentucky counties for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio just shy of the state mean. This moderate performance reflects balanced conditions—neither particularly tight nor unusually loose.

Mid-range costs in the eight-county set

Henderson County's $794 rent sits between Harrison County ($755) and Henry County ($871), while its median home value of $165,700 falls below Harrison but above Hart and Jackson. For renters, Henderson offers moderate pricing; for homebuyers, it's mid-tier.

Renters feel more pressure than owners

Renters pay $794 monthly while homeowners pay $876, a gap reflecting current market dynamics in Henderson. On a $58,239 income, renters spend 16.4% on housing versus homeowners at roughly 18%, suggesting renting may be the better value here.

Henderson offers balanced regional choice

Henderson County works well for households earning $58,000 to $65,000 and comfortable with modest housing-to-income ratios. Compare it against Harrison (cheaper, similar income) and Henry (pricier, similar income) to find your best fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Henderson County

via IncomeByCounty

Henderson trails U.S. income levels

Henderson County's median household income of $58,239 falls about 22% below the national median of $74,755. However, the per capita income of $32,803 exceeds the national average, suggesting strong individual earning power despite lower household totals.

Slightly above Kentucky average

Henderson County households earn $58,239, about 4% more than Kentucky's state average of $55,909. The county ranks in the middle range of Kentucky counties by median household income.

Mid-pack income among region

Henderson County's $58,239 trails Harrison ($63,205) and Hickman ($63,750) but leads Hopkins ($57,610) and Hart ($49,653). The county sits squarely in the middle of its peer group.

Housing costs require attention

At 16.4% of median income, Henderson County's rent-to-income ratio is manageable but warrants budget planning. A median home value of $165,700 represents about 2.8 times median household income, requiring substantial down payments or longer mortgage terms.

Balance housing and retirement savings

Henderson County residents should prioritize building emergency funds alongside homeownership goals, given moderate housing costs. Explore first-time homebuyer programs and employer retirement plans to maximize wealth-building opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Henderson County

via HealthByCounty

Henderson Outperforms Nation on Life Span

Henderson County residents live to 73.3 years on average, outpacing both Kentucky (72.2 years) and nearly matching the U.S. average of 78.1 years. Just 19.5% of people report poor or fair health, among the lowest rates in the state and a marker of generally good population health.

Henderson: Kentucky's Health Sweet Spot

At 73.3 years, Henderson County ranks in Kentucky's top tier for life expectancy, exceeding the state average by 1.1 years. Its 19.5% poor/fair health rate is among the state's lowest, reflecting stronger disease prevention and management than most peer counties.

Healthiest County in Region

Henderson's 73.3-year life expectancy and 19.5% poor/fair health rate both lead its neighboring counties—beating Jackson (71.1 years, 29.5% poor/fair), Harrison (72.3, 21%), and Henry (72.7, 23.5%). The county's 52 primary care providers and 150 mental health providers per 100,000 support this health advantage.

Best-in-Region Insurance and Access

Henderson County's 6.9% uninsured rate sits just below Kentucky's average and reflects strong healthcare engagement. With 52 primary care and 150 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the county delivers above-average access to both routine and behavioral health care.

Keep Henderson Healthy: Verify Coverage

Henderson County's strong health outcomes depend on consistent insurance access. Even here, 1 in 14 residents remain uninsured—visit kynect.ky.gov to confirm your coverage or explore new plans if your circumstances have changed.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Henderson County

via RiskByCounty

Henderson County significantly exceeds state risk

Henderson County's composite risk score of 73.16 earns a Relatively Low rating but dramatically exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21—a 65% higher exposure. The county faces notably elevated multi-hazard risk compared to most of the commonwealth.

Among Kentucky's highest-risk counties

Henderson County ranks in the upper tier of Kentucky's 120 counties for natural disaster risk. Its Relatively Low rating reflects meaningful exposure to earthquakes and floods that dwarf hazards in safer regions.

Distinctly riskier than surrounding areas

Henderson County's 73.16 score far exceeds nearby Harrison County (33.78) and Hart County (41.13), making it the highest-risk county in the immediate region. The elevated earthquake risk (92.94) and flood exposure (74.94) drive this disparity.

Earthquake and flood risks dominate

Earthquake risk peaks at 92.94—among the state's highest—with flood risk following at 74.94, reflecting Henderson County's proximity to the Ohio River and seismic fault zones. Tornado risk (56.49) adds a third significant threat.

Essential: flood and earthquake insurance

Henderson County residents must prioritize flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program if in mapped risk zones and should strongly purchase earthquake coverage—both perils are routinely excluded from standard homeowners policies. Don't delay securing these critical protections.

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.