Knott County scores 76.2 on the composite index, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0. This eastern Kentucky county demonstrates that rural areas can deliver competitive livability through low costs and tax efficiency.
2 / 5
Slightly Above State Average
With a score of 76.2, Knott County exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it in the upper third of the state's 120 counties. This positioning reflects strong fundamentals in affordability despite limited income opportunities.
3 / 5
Exceptional Housing Affordability
Knott County shines with a cost score of 88.9, the highest among these eight counties, offering median home values of $74,600 and rent at just $731/month. The tax score of 82.1 with an effective rate of 0.719% further enhances the county's economic accessibility.
4 / 5
Income Severely Lags Behind
The county's income score of 8.0 is among the lowest, with median household income of just $37,736, reflecting limited job growth and wage opportunities in the region. Safety, health, school, and water quality data remain unavailable for fuller assessment.
5 / 5
For Frugal, Independent Households
Knott County suits retirees, remote workers, and self-employed individuals who don't depend on local wages and prioritize maximum affordability. It's an excellent choice for those seeking rural peace combined with rock-bottom living costs.
Knott County scores 76.2 on the composite index, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0. This eastern Kentucky county demonstrates that rural areas can deliver competitive livability through low costs and tax efficiency.
Slightly Above State Average
With a score of 76.2, Knott County exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it in the upper third of the state's 120 counties. This positioning reflects strong fundamentals in affordability despite limited income opportunities.
Exceptional Housing Affordability
Knott County shines with a cost score of 88.9, the highest among these eight counties, offering median home values of $74,600 and rent at just $731/month. The tax score of 82.1 with an effective rate of 0.719% further enhances the county's economic accessibility.
Income Severely Lags Behind
The county's income score of 8.0 is among the lowest, with median household income of just $37,736, reflecting limited job growth and wage opportunities in the region. Safety, health, school, and water quality data remain unavailable for fuller assessment.
For Frugal, Independent Households
Knott County suits retirees, remote workers, and self-employed individuals who don't depend on local wages and prioritize maximum affordability. It's an excellent choice for those seeking rural peace combined with rock-bottom living costs.
Score breakdown
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🏛82.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Knott's effective rate of 0.719% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.85%, and its median property tax of $536 is less than one-fifth the national median of $2,690. This rural eastern Kentucky county offers exceptional property tax affordability by national standards.
Right at Kentucky's state average
Knott County's 0.719% effective rate matches Kentucky's state average exactly, placing it in the middle of the state's tax landscape. However, the median tax of $536 trails the state median of $1,093, reflecting the county's notably lower property values rather than a lower rate.
Mid-range for eastern Kentucky
Knott's 0.719% rate sits between Lawrence County (0.678%) and Knox County (0.735%), positioning it squarely in the middle of eastern Kentucky's tax tier. Among the eight counties profiled, only Johnson County offers a meaningfully lower rate.
What $74,600 home costs annually
A median Knott County homeowner pays roughly $536 per year in property taxes on a typical $74,600 home. With a mortgage, the figure rises to $1,155; without one, it drops to $356.
Assessment appeals work in rural counties too
Even modest property values in Knott County can be overassessed, and rural homeowners should not overlook appeal opportunities. A successful challenge to an inflated assessment could reduce your already-low annual bill by a meaningful percentage.
Knott County renters spend 23.3% of income on rent—the highest ratio in this analysis and well above Kentucky's 17.0% state average. With a median household income of just $37,736, half the national median, residents face the steepest housing-cost burden despite $731 monthly rents.
Least affordable in eastern Kentucky
Knott County's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, placing it among the state's most stressed counties. The combination of low incomes and above-average rents creates genuine affordability hardship for renters.
Low wages, high rent pressure
Knott County's $731 median rent is typical for eastern Kentucky, but the $37,736 median household income is among the region's lowest. This mismatch places Knott renters under greater financial stress than similar-rent counties with stronger earning power.
Rental burden dominates household budgets
Knott County renters devote 23.3% of their $37,736 annual income to $731 monthly rent, a significantly higher burden than peers elsewhere. Homeowners fare somewhat better at 17.0% of income ($425/month), but only on median homes worth $74,600—reflecting depressed property values tied to limited local economic opportunity.
Relocate only with strong income
Knott County offers genuine bargains for remote workers and retirees with external income sources, but traditional job seekers should explore stronger labor markets. Compare your current rent burden to 23.3%—if you're below that, moving here without secure employment could worsen your financial position.
Knott County's median household income of $37,736 falls nearly $37,000 short of the national median of $74,755—a deficit of 50%. This places Knott among America's lowest-income counties and reflects the severe economic distress of eastern Kentucky's coal-dependent communities.
Among Kentucky's most economically challenged counties
Knott's $37,736 median income ranks in Kentucky's bottom tier, 33% below the state average of $55,909. Per capita income of $21,353 trails the state by 28%, indicating very limited individual earning power throughout the county.
Economic hardship alongside Knox and Lawrence
Knott County's income is slightly above Knox ($33,153) but comparable to Lawrence ($45,584) and Johnson ($43,014) counties. This cluster of distressed counties reflects a regional economic crisis tied to coal industry collapse and limited alternative employment.
Housing costs consume unsustainable income share
A rent-to-income ratio of 23.3% means Knott households spend nearly 1/4 of earnings on housing—well above the 30% affordability crisis threshold. With a median home value of only $74,600, even modest housing costs strain household budgets severely.
Focus on financial stability first
Knott County residents facing income constraints should prioritize debt reduction and basic emergency savings before investing. Local nonprofits and credit counseling services can help households create realistic budgets and identify income-boosting opportunities.
At 67.1 years, Knott County's life expectancy is 6.7 years below the U.S. average, and 30.1% report poor or fair health—significantly above the national 21% rate. The county faces one of America's most serious health challenges.
Among Kentucky's worst health outcomes
Knott's 67.1-year life expectancy represents the state's lowest, falling 5.1 years below Kentucky's 72.2-year average. Nearly 30% report poor or fair health, the highest rate in the state and 5 points above the statewide average.
Trapped in a regional health crisis
Knott's 67.1-year life expectancy ranks lowest among neighboring Eastern Kentucky counties, while its 30.1% poor/fair health rate tops regional peers. With only 21 primary care providers per 100K, the county faces critical provider shortages.
Sparse providers, limited insurance options
Knott's 7.2% uninsured rate approximates the state average, but only 21 primary care providers per 100K and 59 mental health providers per 100K mean severe care access gaps. Residents often travel hours for routine medical care.
Help is available—reach out now
Visit kynect.ky.gov or call 1-855-4-KYNECT to explore coverage options; expanded Medicaid may help many residents. Contact your county health department to ask about telehealth and clinic services available locally.
Knott County's composite risk score of 52.10 is slightly above the national average, with a "Relatively Low" rating. Natural disaster exposure is moderate but manageable for this Appalachian county.
Below average for Kentucky counties
Knott's score of 52.10 exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it in the higher-risk tier statewide. However, it ranks lower than several neighboring eastern Kentucky counties.
Wildfire risk exceeds regional peers
Knott County's wildfire risk of 74.11 is notably higher than neighboring Letcher and Harlan counties. Its flood risk of 73.12 similarly exceeds most adjacent counties in the region.
Wildfires and flooding top concerns
Wildfire risk at 74.11 and flood risk at 73.12 are Knott County's primary hazards, both linked to forested terrain and seasonal precipitation. Tornado risk at 19.50 remains relatively low by comparison.
Prepare for fire and water damage
Wildfire risk means clearing brush from your property and using fire-resistant materials for vulnerable structures. Flood insurance is also crucial—pair it with comprehensive homeowners coverage for full protection.