Johnson County achieves a composite score of 76.4, well above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the better-performing counties nationwide. The county demonstrates that rural and smaller communities can offer genuine livability advantages.
2 / 5
Exceeding Kentucky Average
With a score of 76.4, Johnson County ranks above Kentucky's state average of 75.0, positioning it in the upper tier of the state's 120 counties. This above-average standing reflects distinctive strengths in affordability and tax efficiency.
3 / 5
Extreme Affordability Is the Draw
Johnson County leads with a cost score of 86.9 and boasts the lowest median home value ($125,300) and rent ($698/month) among these counties. The tax score of 84.1 with an effective rate of 0.645% further reinforces the county's position as one of Kentucky's most budget-friendly places to live.
4 / 5
Income Opportunities Are Limited
The county's income score of 11.5 is the primary constraint, with a median household income of just $43,014, reflecting limited wage growth and job opportunities. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable to complete the livability assessment.
5 / 5
Ideal for Budget-First Relocations
Johnson County suits individuals and families willing to trade lower incomes for dramatically lower housing costs and tax burdens. It's a strong choice for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, or those seeking maximum purchasing power.
Johnson County achieves a composite score of 76.4, well above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the better-performing counties nationwide. The county demonstrates that rural and smaller communities can offer genuine livability advantages.
Exceeding Kentucky Average
With a score of 76.4, Johnson County ranks above Kentucky's state average of 75.0, positioning it in the upper tier of the state's 120 counties. This above-average standing reflects distinctive strengths in affordability and tax efficiency.
Extreme Affordability Is the Draw
Johnson County leads with a cost score of 86.9 and boasts the lowest median home value ($125,300) and rent ($698/month) among these counties. The tax score of 84.1 with an effective rate of 0.645% further reinforces the county's position as one of Kentucky's most budget-friendly places to live.
Income Opportunities Are Limited
The county's income score of 11.5 is the primary constraint, with a median household income of just $43,014, reflecting limited wage growth and job opportunities. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable to complete the livability assessment.
Ideal for Budget-First Relocations
Johnson County suits individuals and families willing to trade lower incomes for dramatically lower housing costs and tax burdens. It's a strong choice for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, or those seeking maximum purchasing power.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Johnson's effective rate of 0.645% ranks among the lowest in the nation, nearly 25% below the national median of 0.85%. The median property tax of just $808 is one-third the national median of $2,690, making this one of Kentucky's most affordable counties for property owners.
Well below Kentucky average
Johnson's 0.645% rate is the lowest among the eight counties profiled here and significantly undercuts Kentucky's 0.719% state average. The median tax of $808 trails the state median of $1,093 by roughly 26%, reflecting both modest home values and a lower effective rate.
Eastern Kentucky's tax bargain
Johnson County's rate of 0.645% is the lowest in this eastern Kentucky cluster, beating Lawrence County (0.678%), Knox County (0.735%), and Knott County (0.719%). This advantage makes Johnson especially attractive to homebuyers seeking minimal property tax burdens.
What $125,300 home costs yearly
A median Johnson County homeowner pays approximately $808 annually in property taxes on a typical $125,300 home. With a mortgage, the figure climbs to $1,213; without one, it drops to $555.
Even low-tax counties have overassessments
Even in Johnson County's favorable tax environment, some homeowners find their properties overvalued on the assessment roll. Filing an appeal costs nothing and could reduce your already-modest annual tax bill further.
Johnson County renters spend 19.5% of income on rent—higher than the national benchmark of 30%, but facing a median household income of just $43,014, well below the national median of $74,755. The county's affordability challenge stems not from high rents ($698/month) but from significantly lower earning power.
Struggling compared to Kentucky
Johnson County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.5% exceeds Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, placing it among the state's less affordable counties. While rents are below the state median, local incomes are considerably lower, creating a mismatch that pressures household budgets.
Rents low but incomes lower
Johnson County's $698 median rent is the lowest among comparable eastern Kentucky counties, but the median household income of $43,014 is also among the region's weakest. This affordability paradox means residents pay a smaller dollar amount for housing, but a larger share of meager incomes.
Housing eats income faster here
With $698 monthly rent consuming 19.5% of a $43,014 annual income, Johnson County renters face tighter margins than their state peers. Homeowners fare better: $594 monthly mortgage payments equal just 16.6% of income, making homeownership ($125,300 median value) a more favorable option if financing is available.
Cheap housing, tough economy
Johnson County attracts remote workers and retirees seeking rock-bottom housing costs, but full-time local employment opportunities are limited. If relocating here, verify your income source is portable—local wages won't stretch far despite affordable rents.
Johnson County's median household income of $43,014 lags the national median of $74,755 by nearly $32,000 annually. This gap places Johnson in the lower third of U.S. counties and reflects economic challenges common to eastern Kentucky.
Below average for Kentucky, but not the lowest
Johnson's $43,014 median sits 23% below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, placing the county in the lower half statewide. The per capita income of $24,579 trails the state average by 17%, indicating limited individual earning capacity.
Similar struggles in eastern Kentucky cluster
Johnson County's income mirrors Lawrence County ($45,584) and significantly exceeds only Knott ($37,736) and Knox ($33,153) counties. This cluster of lower-income counties in eastern Kentucky reflects regional economic dependence on declining extractive industries.
Housing costs strain household budgets here
A rent-to-income ratio of 19.5% is approaching the affordability danger zone, meaning Johnson households dedicate nearly 1/5 of earnings to housing. With a median home value of $125,300, even homeownership can stretch tight household budgets.
Start small with financial resilience
Johnson County households should prioritize building an emergency fund before aggressive investing, given income constraints. Even small regular deposits into savings—$25 or $50 per paycheck—create a financial cushion that prevents crisis debt.
Johnson County faces significant health challenges
At 69.4 years, Johnson County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average by 4.4 years, and 29% of residents report poor or fair health—well above the national rate of 21%. These metrics signal serious health disparities affecting the county's population.
Among Kentucky's most troubled health rankings
Johnson County's 69.4-year life expectancy falls nearly 3 years below Kentucky's 72.2-year average, placing it among the state's lowest. Nearly 29% report poor or fair health, compared to Kentucky's 25% statewide rate.
Struggling alongside regional counties
Johnson County's health outcomes mirror those of neighboring Knott County (67.1 years, 30.1% poor/fair) and Knox County (69.5 years, 27.3% poor/fair), reflecting a regional health crisis. With only 58 primary care providers per 100K, the county lacks adequate healthcare infrastructure.
Uninsured rate slightly below state average
Johnson's 6.7% uninsured rate is one of the better rates in the state, yet 58 primary care providers per 100K indicates inadequate access. This gap between coverage and availability means insured residents may still struggle to find care locally.
Ensure your family has coverage
Visit kynect.ky.gov or call 1-855-4-KYNECT to explore options for health insurance, including expanded Medicaid. Having coverage is a crucial first step; local health departments can also connect you with community clinics.
Johnson County's composite risk score of 71.06 places it above the national average, with a "Relatively Low" rating. This indicates moderate exposure to natural hazards compared to most U.S. counties.
High-risk county for Kentucky
Johnson County's score of 71.06 exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21, ranking it among the higher-risk counties statewide. This elevation in the Appalachian region contributes to increased hazard exposure.
Highest flood risk in eastern cluster
Johnson County's flood risk of 85.21 is substantially higher than neighboring Pike County and Lawrence County. Its wildfire risk of 76.30 also exceeds most peer counties in the region.
Floods and wildfires dominate hazard mix
Flood risk at 85.21 and wildfire risk at 76.30 are Johnson County's critical threats, both driven by terrain and forest coverage. Tornado risk remains low at 30.50, offering relative safety in that hazard category.
Flood insurance is non-negotiable here
Johnson County's elevated flood risk means federal flood insurance or a private flood policy is essential for homes in at-risk zones. Also maintain comprehensive coverage for potential wildfire smoke and ember damage.