Knox County achieves a composite score of 76.1, significantly surpassing the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates that rural southeastern Kentucky can deliver solid livability fundamentals, particularly for cost-conscious households.
2 / 5
Above Kentucky's Statewide Mark
The county's 76.1 score exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, ranking it among the upper tier of the state's 120 counties. This standing reflects distinctive strength in housing affordability despite lower incomes.
3 / 5
Most Affordable Housing in the Group
Knox County leads with a cost score of 89.8, offering the lowest median home value ($109,200) and rent ($631/month) of any county analyzed here. The tax score of 81.6 and effective rate of 0.735% ensure minimal tax burden on already-modest incomes.
4 / 5
Income Opportunities Are Minimal
The county's income score of 5.0 is the lowest among all eight counties, with median household income of just $33,153, indicating very limited local wage growth and employment diversity. Safety, health, school, and water quality data would complete the livability picture.
5 / 5
For Minimal-Cost Living Models
Knox County appeals to retirees, self-sufficient households, and remote workers seeking absolute minimum living expenses in a rural setting. It represents the extreme end of affordability-first living in Kentucky.
Knox County achieves a composite score of 76.1, significantly surpassing the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates that rural southeastern Kentucky can deliver solid livability fundamentals, particularly for cost-conscious households.
Above Kentucky's Statewide Mark
The county's 76.1 score exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, ranking it among the upper tier of the state's 120 counties. This standing reflects distinctive strength in housing affordability despite lower incomes.
Most Affordable Housing in the Group
Knox County leads with a cost score of 89.8, offering the lowest median home value ($109,200) and rent ($631/month) of any county analyzed here. The tax score of 81.6 and effective rate of 0.735% ensure minimal tax burden on already-modest incomes.
Income Opportunities Are Minimal
The county's income score of 5.0 is the lowest among all eight counties, with median household income of just $33,153, indicating very limited local wage growth and employment diversity. Safety, health, school, and water quality data would complete the livability picture.
For Minimal-Cost Living Models
Knox County appeals to retirees, self-sufficient households, and remote workers seeking absolute minimum living expenses in a rural setting. It represents the extreme end of affordability-first living in Kentucky.
Score breakdown
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🏛81.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Knox County's 0.735% effective rate is below the national median of 0.85%, and its median property tax of $803 is roughly 70% lower than the national median of $2,690. This rural southeastern Kentucky county delivers substantial property tax savings compared to typical U.S. counties.
Slightly above Kentucky's average
Knox's 0.735% rate modestly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, placing it slightly on the higher side for the state. The median tax of $803 falls well below Kentucky's state median of $1,093, reflecting Knox's lower home values relative to its effective rate.
Among the region's middle tier
Knox County's 0.735% rate ranks slightly above Knott County (0.719%) and Lawrence County (0.678%), but well below Jessamine (0.771%) and far below Kenton (1.004%). It occupies a stable middle position within eastern Kentucky's tax structure.
What $109,200 home costs yearly
A typical Knox County homeowner pays approximately $803 per year in property taxes on a median-valued $109,200 home. With a mortgage, that rises to $1,245; without one, it drops to $569.
Review your assessment for potential savings
Knox County homeowners should verify their assessed values match current market conditions, as overassessment is common statewide. Requesting a reassessment review could uncover errors that reduce your annual tax burden.
Knox County renters spend 22.8% of income on rent, exceeding Kentucky's state average of 17.0% and reflecting a median household income of just $33,153—less than half the national median. This southeastern Kentucky county represents one of America's most economically challenged areas.
Among Kentucky's poorest, most burdened
Knox County's 22.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Kentucky's worst, placing severe pressure on households already earning 55% below the national average. The county's $631 median rent is among the state's lowest, yet still consumes an outsized share of limited incomes.
Lowest incomes, persistent struggle
Knox County's median household income of $33,153 is the lowest in this analysis, and its 22.8% rent-to-income ratio reflects that economic reality. While rents are cheap in absolute terms, the earnings base is too weak to create genuine affordability.
Every dollar stretched thin
Knox County renters allocate 22.8% of their $33,153 income to $631 monthly rent, leaving limited cushion for food, utilities, healthcare, and transportation. Homeowners are more fortunate: $492 monthly payments (17.8% of income) on $109,200 median homes, suggesting homeownership offers more financial stability when accessible.
Move here only with external income
Knox County's bargain housing prices appeal to retirees on fixed incomes and remote workers, but discourage traditional job seekers. If considering relocation, ensure your income is recession-proof and independent of local employment—the county's economics cannot support wage-based moves.
Knox County's median household income of $33,153 trails the national median of $74,755 by $41,602—a staggering 56% gap. This places Knox among the lowest-income counties in the United States and reflects decades of economic decline in eastern Kentucky.
Kentucky's most economically vulnerable county
Knox's $33,153 median income ranks at or near the bottom of Kentucky counties, 41% below the state average of $55,909. Per capita income of $21,277 is also among Kentucky's lowest, indicating widespread individual income constraints.
Most distressed county in eastern Kentucky cluster
Knox County's median household income of $33,153 is the lowest among all eight counties examined, trailing even Knott ($37,736). This reflects Knox's acute exposure to coal industry collapse with limited economic diversification.
Housing affordability crisis in Knox County
A rent-to-income ratio of 22.8% indicates Knox households spend nearly 1/4 of income on housing, approaching crisis levels. Even with a median home value of only $109,200, housing costs consume a disproportionate share of scarce household resources.
Build resilience before wealth growth
Knox County residents should focus on stabilizing income and reducing debt before pursuing investments. Local economic development initiatives, job training programs, and community banks can provide pathways to improved financial footing.
Knox's 69.5-year life expectancy falls 4.3 years short of the U.S. average, and 27.3% report poor or fair health versus the national 21%. These gaps reflect serious underlying health challenges across the county.
Below-average health outcomes for Kentucky
Knox's 69.5-year life expectancy runs 2.7 years below Kentucky's 72.2-year average, and 27.3% report poor or fair health compared to the state's 25%. The county ranks among the state's lower-performing regions.
Among the region's most challenged counties
Knox's 69.5-year life expectancy mirrors Johnson County (69.4 years) but exceeds Knott County (67.1 years), placing it in the middle of a troubled region. Only 27 primary care providers per 100K means accessing care requires travel.
Provider shortages limit daily care access
Knox's 7.3% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average, but only 27 primary care providers per 100K and 94 mental health providers create significant access barriers. Many residents lack convenient options for routine or specialist care.
Explore coverage and local resources
Call 1-855-4-KYNECT or visit kynect.ky.gov to check if you qualify for Medicaid or other affordable plans. Ask your local health department about community clinics and telehealth services that bring care closer to home.
Knox County's composite risk score of 74.71 exceeds the national average substantially, with a "Relatively Low" rating. This Appalachian county experiences moderate-to-high exposure across multiple natural hazards.
High-risk county for Kentucky
Knox's score of 74.71 far exceeds Kentucky's 44.21 state average, ranking it among the state's highest-risk counties. Elevation and forest cover drive much of this elevated hazard profile.
Wildfire risk leads mountain counties
Knox County's wildfire risk of 84.73 is the highest among neighboring Laurel, Rockcastle, and Clay counties. Its earthquake risk of 70.23 also exceeds most peer counties in the region.
Wildfires and earthquakes are critical
Wildfire risk at 84.73 and earthquake risk at 70.23 dominate Knox County's hazard profile. Tornado risk at 61.42 and flood risk at 71.66 add substantial secondary threats.
Multi-layer insurance strategy essential
Wildfire risk demands aggressive property hardening—clear defensible space and use fire-rated materials on roof and siding. Secure earthquake coverage through your agent, bundled with flood and comprehensive homeowners policies.