CountyScore

Lee County

Kentucky · KY

#53 in Kentucky
71.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Lee County, Kentucky

Lee County outpaces national average

Lee County's composite score of 75.5 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top half of U.S. counties overall. This 51% advantage over the typical American county reflects strong affordability and tax advantages across the board.

Slightly above Kentucky baseline

Lee County ranks just above the Kentucky state average of 75.0, positioning it as a solid performer among the commonwealth's 120 counties. The county holds steady with comparable peers across Appalachian Kentucky.

Affordability and low taxes lead

Lee County excels in housing affordability with a Cost Score of 90.8—homes median at $82,100 and rent averages just $593/month. A Tax Score of 78.4 reflects an effective rate of 0.848%, keeping overall tax burden competitive.

Income remains the limiting factor

The Income Score of just 5.7 reflects a median household income of $34,182, significantly below state and national norms. Safety, health, school quality, and water quality data are not yet available, limiting a complete livability picture.

Best for budget-conscious families

Lee County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over higher wages. The county offers stable housing costs and modest tax burdens, making it ideal for those with fixed incomes or remote work opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.4Cost90.8SafetyComing SoonHealth53.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome5.7Risk92.5WaterComing Soon
🏛78.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼5.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡92.5
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 Lee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barbour County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,290
Marengo County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,205
Clark County
Arkansas
71.3
Median income: $50,985
Jefferson County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $56,984
Lafayette County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $60,692

Deep Dives

Lee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lee County

via TaxByCounty

Lee County taxes far below US average

Lee County's effective tax rate of 0.848% sits well below the national median of 0.86%, placing it in the lower half of counties nationwide. The median property tax bill here is just $696 annually—roughly one-quarter of the national median of $2,690.

Above Kentucky average despite low bills

Lee County ranks above Kentucky's state average effective rate of 0.719%, making it a higher-taxed county within the commonwealth. Still, the median tax bill of $696 remains below the state median of $1,093.

Competitive with regional peers

Lee County's 0.848% rate exceeds Leslie County's 0.718% and Lewis County's 0.648%, but falls below Letcher County's 0.932%. Among eastern Kentucky counties, Lee ranks solidly in the middle on tax burden.

Median home: $82,100, annual tax $696

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $82,100 pays approximately $696 per year in property taxes. That amounts to about $58 monthly—or $923 annually if you include mortgage-related assessments.

Your home may be overassessed

Many Kentucky homeowners discover their properties are valued higher than market reality, leading to inflated tax bills. If your assessment seems high, appealing with recent comparable sales data can often result in meaningful savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lee County

via CostByCounty

Lee County's rent burden tops national norm

Renters in Lee County spend 20.8% of their household income on rent, compared to the nation's typical burden of around 28–30% of income. While this sounds manageable, Lee County's median household income of $34,182 is less than half the national median of $74,755, making even "affordable" rent a squeeze.

Above Kentucky's affordability average

Lee County's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, placing it among less affordable counties in the Commonwealth. At $593 per month, median rent is notably lower than the state average of $771, but local incomes are proportionally lower too.

Cheaper rent, similar income struggles

Lee County's $593 median rent is the lowest among its regional neighbors—Leslie County renters pay $520, Letcher $651, and Lewis $757. However, Lee County's median income of $34,182 remains among the lowest in this group, making affordability a relative strength.

Renting vs. owning in Lee County

Monthly rent averages $593 while homeowners pay $471, making purchase more affordable than rent—though the median home value of $82,100 still requires substantial savings. With a median household income of $34,182 annually ($2,848/month), housing consumes over 20% of the typical family's budget.

Consider Lee if you value affordability

Lee County offers some of the region's lowest housing costs, particularly for homebuyers, making it attractive for those prioritizing affordable homeownership. Compare this county's tight labor market and income levels carefully against your own employment prospects before relocating.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lee County

via IncomeByCounty

Lee County lags far behind national income

The median household income in Lee County is $34,182, less than half the national median of $74,755. This 54% gap reflects the economic challenges many rural Appalachian counties face compared to the broader U.S. economy.

Among Kentucky's lowest-income counties

Lee County ranks near the bottom of Kentucky's 120 counties with a median household income 39% below the state average of $55,909. Only a handful of Kentucky counties report lower median incomes than Lee's $34,182.

Struggling alongside eastern Kentucky peers

Lee County's $34,182 median income trails nearby Leslie County ($40,176) and Letcher County ($40,501), though it outperforms very few neighbors. The regional pattern of lower incomes reflects the broader economic structure of eastern Kentucky's coal-dependent communities.

Housing costs consume a fifth of income

With a rent-to-income ratio of 20.8%, Lee County households spend a manageable share on housing, though the median home value of $82,100 remains a stretch on $34,182 annual income. The affordability challenge intensifies when accounting for utilities, food, and healthcare on tight household budgets.

Building financial stability takes planning

Even modest savings habits—starting with $25-50 monthly—can compound into emergency funds and long-term wealth. Lee County residents should explore employer retirement plans, tax credits for low-income workers, and free financial counseling available through community development organizations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lee County

via HealthByCounty

Lee County's health lag spans a decade

Lee County residents live to an average of 68.3 years—nearly 10 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Over one in three residents (32.5%) report poor or fair health, nearly triple the national average of 11%, signaling a population facing serious chronic conditions.

Lowest life expectancy in Kentucky

At 68.3 years, Lee County ranks among Kentucky's poorest health outcomes, trailing the state average of 72.2 years by 3.9 years. The county's 32.5% poor/fair health rate far exceeds Kentucky's average, marking it as a statewide health crisis zone.

Eastern Kentucky's steepest health decline

Lee County's 68.3-year life expectancy ranks it below neighboring Leslie County (68.7 years) and Letcher County (67.7 years), though it edges ahead of Letcher County's 24.9% poor health rate. Limited primary care data makes detailed provider comparison difficult, though the county does maintain 123 mental health providers per 100,000 residents.

Better uninsured rate masks access gaps

Lee County's 6.7% uninsured rate actually beats the state average of 7.0%, yet data on primary care providers remains unavailable—a critical gap that obscures residents' true ability to access routine medical care. The high mental health provider density (123 per 100K) suggests targeted mental health resources, but complete provider mapping is needed.

Explore your coverage options today

Even with a relatively low uninsured rate, nearly 1 in 15 Lee County residents still lack health coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local Department for Medicaid Services to review your options and ensure you're getting the preventive care your community desperately needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lee County

via RiskByCounty

Lee County faces very low disaster risk

Lee County's composite risk score of 7.51 places it well below the national average, making it one of Kentucky's safest counties for natural disasters. This very low rating means residents face minimal exposure to the major hazards that threaten other parts of the country.

Among Kentucky's safest counties

Lee County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Kentucky, with a composite score of 7.51 compared to the state average of 44.21. This 83% lower risk profile reflects the county's geographic position and relatively stable hazard exposure.

Safer than surrounding counties

Lee County's risk score of 7.51 is significantly lower than neighboring Leslie County (31.71) and Letcher County (66.60), making it the safest in its region. This advantage stems largely from lower wildfire, flood, and earthquake exposure compared to nearby counties.

Wildfire and earthquake deserve attention

Wildfire risk (57.79) and earthquake risk (25.29) are Lee County's most elevated hazards, though both remain moderate compared to other counties. Tornado risk at 23.44 and flood risk at 21.15 round out the county's hazard profile, each posing limited but measurable threats.

Standard homeowners coverage suffices

Lee County's low composite risk score means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents. Review your policy annually to ensure coverage matches your home's replacement value, and consider flood insurance if you live near waterways.

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.