countyscore
67.9
County Score
Cost of Living 97.3Safety 91.6Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Leslie County, Kentucky

A National Leader in Livability

Leslie County secures an impressive composite score of 70.1, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This high ranking places the county among the top tier of US counties for general desirability.

A Top-Performing Kentucky County

At 70.1, Leslie County significantly outperforms the state average of 58.6. Its regional dominance is fueled by a rare combination of extreme affordability and high public safety.

Unmatched Affordability and Safety

The county shines with a Cost Score of 98.4 and a Safety Score of 91.6. Median gross rent is just $520, and the effective tax rate sits at a low 0.718%, leaving more money in residents' pockets.

Addressing Income and Health Needs

Economic growth remains a challenge with an Income Score of 2.9 and a median household income of $40,176. Public health also trails other metrics with a score of 34.3, highlighting a path for future community investment.

A Sanctuary for Safe, Low-Cost Living

Leslie County is perfect for families seeking a secure environment without the financial strain of urban prices. It offers a peaceful lifestyle supported by some of the lowest housing costs in the nation.

2040608010049.297.391.634.369.3168.38662.8Tax49.2Cost97.3Safety91.6Health34.3Schools69.3Income1Risk68.3Water86Weather62.867.9/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Leslie County DNA

C-overall

How Leslie County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Leslie County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (97.3/100) but notably weak in Income (1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
49.2
Cost
97.3+49.3
Safety
91.6+36.599999999999994
Health
34.3-15.700000000000003
Schools
69.3+15.299999999999997
Income
1-50
Risk
68.3+21.299999999999997
Water
86+28
Weather
62.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Leslie County?

Many homeowners in Leslie County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$69,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$585/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$69,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$23,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $35,934/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

48.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Leslie County with West Carroll Parish →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

West Carroll Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $49,134
67.9
Clay County
Nebraska
Median income: $78,986
67.9
Shelby County
Iowa
Median income: $72,738
68
Green County
Kentucky
Median income: $46,798
68
Antelope County
Nebraska
Median income: $66,105
68
Garfield County
Nebraska
Median income: $62,804
68
Perry County
Tennessee
Median income: $55,972
68
Boone County
Nebraska
Median income: $74,947
67.8

Nearby counties

Perry County
Kentucky
61
Harlan County
Kentucky
57.6
Clay County
Kentucky
55.4
Lee County
Virginia
51.6
Owsley County
Kentucky
68.4
Letcher County
Kentucky
61.6
Knox County
Kentucky
57.2
Bell County
Kentucky
51.9

Deep Dives

Leslie County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Leslie County

via TaxByCounty

Leslie County among lowest US tax rates

Leslie County's effective rate of 0.718% ranks in the bottom fifth of American counties for property tax burden. The median annual tax of just $532 represents only 20% of the national median of $2,690.

Lowest taxes in Kentucky

Leslie County matches Kentucky's state average effective rate of 0.719%, placing it among the fairest-taxed counties statewide. The median bill of $532 falls well below the state median of $1,093.

Lowest rate in eastern Kentucky

At 0.718%, Leslie County's tax rate beats all nearby comparables—undercutting Lee County (0.848%), Lewis County (0.648%), and Letcher County (0.932%). This makes Leslie one of the most affordable counties in the Appalachian region.

Median home: $74,100, annual tax $532

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $74,100 pays roughly $532 per year in property taxes. That's approximately $44 monthly—or $933 annually with mortgage-related tax assessments included.

Low rates don't guarantee fair assessment

Even in low-tax counties, individual properties can be overvalued relative to market conditions. Reviewing your assessment against recent local sales and filing an appeal if necessary can protect your wallet.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Leslie County

via IncomeByCounty

Leslie County income trails U.S. median sharply

Leslie County's median household income of $40,176 falls 46% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among lower-earning counties nationwide. This income gap reflects the region's economic structure and limited wage opportunities.

Ranked low among Kentucky counties

Leslie County's median income of $40,176 sits 28% below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, positioning it in the lower third of the state's counties. Strong wage growth in other parts of Kentucky has widened the income gap for eastern mountain communities.

Slightly better off than Lee, peers with Letcher

Leslie County's $40,176 median exceeds nearby Lee County ($34,182) but runs nearly even with Letcher County ($40,501). These three counties form an income cluster reflecting similar economic challenges across southeastern Kentucky.

Rent remains affordable relative to income

Leslie County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% is healthier than many rural areas, suggesting housing costs consume a reasonable portion of household budgets. The median home value of $74,100 is achievable for families earning $40,176, though down payments and mortgages still require careful financial planning.

Small investments compound into real wealth

Leslie County workers earning $40,176 can accelerate wealth-building by maximizing employer 401(k) matches and opening Individual Retirement Accounts. Community banks and credit unions offer low-cost savings programs and financial literacy workshops to help families build cash reserves and invest for retirement.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Leslie County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety Levels in Leslie County

Leslie County boasts a nearly perfect safety score of 99.8. Its total crime rate of 143.3 per 100K is a small fraction of the 2,385.5 national average.

Leading the State in Public Safety

The county's crime rate of 143.3 per 100K is significantly lower than the Kentucky average of 786.2. Leslie County ranks well above the typical state safety score of 98.8.

One of the Region's Quietest Jurisdictions

With only 143.3 crimes per 100K, Leslie is much safer than nearby Lee County. Two local agencies effectively monitor the community to keep incident numbers at these low levels.

Violent Crime is Remarkably Rare

Violent crime occurs at a rate of just 9.6 per 100K, far below the national 369.8 average. Property crime is also minimal, affecting only 133.7 residents per 100K.

Keep Your Property Secure

Basic precautions like locking all entry points help Leslie County maintain its exceptional safety record. Even in very safe areas, community awareness remains the best defense.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Leslie County

via SoilByCounty

Mountainous Soil Profiles

Leslie County lacks specific pH data, but regional trends suggest values near the state average of 5.80. This acidic profile is much lower than the national median of 6.5, often requiring amendments for sensitive crops.

Rocky Mountain Composition

Official percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not currently available for this county. The rugged mountain landscape typically features shallow, rocky soils that require careful management of topsoil and erosion.

Measuring Growing Potential

Organic matter and water capacity data remain unlisted for Leslie County. Growers should aim for the state organic matter average of 3.55% to ensure their soil can support healthy plant development.

Water Movement in Appalachia

Dominant drainage classes are not officially recorded here, but steep topography ensures rapid runoff. Understanding your specific site's hydrology is vital before starting any major construction or agricultural project.

Extended Seasons in Zone 7a

Leslie County enjoys the warmer winters of USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. This climate allows for a longer growing season, making it a great place to plant hardy greens and summer vegetables.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Leslie County

via LawnByCounty

Steady Growth in Leslie County

Leslie County's lawn difficulty score of 65.9 aligns closely with the Kentucky average of 66.3 and remains much easier than the national baseline. Operating in hardiness zone 7a, homeowners here enjoy a relatively hospitable environment for establishing permanent turf.

High Rainfall Meets Summer Heat

The area sees 50.5 inches of annual rainfall, slightly exceeding the ideal turf range but providing ample moisture for thirsty lawns. However, 31 extreme heat days—just above the state average of 30—mean that mid-summer dormancy is a risk for cool-season varieties.

Foundational Testing is Essential

With specific soil measurements currently unavailable for this county, testing for pH and drainage is a top priority for new lawns. Most regional soils benefit from the addition of organic matter to improve the structure and ensure nutrients remain accessible during the rainy season.

Low Drought Risk for Growers

The county recorded only one week of drought over the past year, maintaining high moisture levels for local landscapes. Because current data shows no abnormally dry areas, standard watering schedules are usually sufficient to maintain green coverage.

Zone 7a Planting Strategies

Leveraging Leslie County's 7a hardiness zone allows for a mix of cool-season and heat-tolerant grasses. Focus on early fall seeding to take advantage of the 50.5 inches of rain while avoiding the peak of the 31 annual high-heat days.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leslie County's county score?
Leslie County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 67.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Leslie County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Leslie County ranks #14 among all counties in Kentucky on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Leslie County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Leslie County is $563, with an effective tax rate of 0.82%. This earns Leslie County a tax score of 49.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Leslie County?
The median household income in Leslie County, Kentucky is $35,934 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Leslie County earns an income score of 1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Leslie County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Leslie County scores 67.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #14 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Leslie County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Leslie County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.