countyscore
65.1
County Score
Safety 90.9Cost of Living 86.3Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Lewis County, Kentucky

Lewis County Beats National Trends

Lewis County earns a composite score of 64.8, nearly 15 points higher than the national median of 50.0. It ranks as a high-performing rural area compared to the broader United States.

A Top Contender in the Bluegrass

Lewis County significantly exceeds the state average of 58.6 with its 64.8 composite score. This performance highlights the county's success in providing a stable and safe environment for its residents.

Safe Streets and Reliable Utilities

With a Safety Score of 90.9 and a Water Score of 86.0, the county offers peace of mind and quality infrastructure. Taxes are also a major draw, with an effective rate of just 0.648%.

Bridging the Health and Income Gap

The Health Score of 25.8 and Income Score of 3.9 represent the county's main areas for growth. A median household income of $41,632 reflects a local economy that is still in development.

Perfect for Quiet, Secure Living

Lewis County is an ideal match for individuals who prioritize safety and low taxes. It offers a reliable utility base and affordable housing that makes it a stable, long-term home for those on a fixed income.

2040608010067.286.390.925.8587.758.58658.6Tax67.2Cost86.3Safety90.9Health25.8Schools58Income7.7Risk58.5Water86Weather58.665.1/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Lewis County DNA

D+overall

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

Lewis County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (86.3/100) but notably weak in Income (7.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
67.2+15.200000000000003
Cost
86.3+38.3
Safety
90.9+35.900000000000006
Health
25.8-24.2
Schools
58
Income
7.7-43.3
Risk
58.5+11.5
Water
86+28
Weather
58.6
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Think property taxes are too high in Lewis County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$96,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$751/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$96,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $46,838/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.4

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
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Nearby counties

Adams County
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55.2
Carter County
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65.1
Greenup County
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58.6
Scioto County
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Mason County
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Fleming County
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Rowan County
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Elliott County
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72.7

Deep Dives

Lewis County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lewis County

via TaxByCounty

Lewis County among America's lowest

Lewis County's effective tax rate of 0.648% ranks in the bottom 10% of US counties for property tax burden. The median annual tax of just $558 is only 21% of the national median of $2,690.

Below Kentucky average, favorable rates

Lewis County's 0.648% rate sits below Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, making it one of the more affordable counties statewide. The median bill of $558 is well below the state median of $1,093.

Second-lowest rate in the region

Lewis County's 0.648% rate trails only Leslie County's 0.718% among eastern Kentucky peers, and significantly beats Lee County (0.848%) and Letcher County (0.932%). This positions Lewis as one of the most tax-friendly counties in Appalachia.

Median home: $86,100, annual tax $558

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $86,100 pays approximately $558 per year in property taxes. That's roughly $47 monthly—or $720 annually including mortgage-related tax assessments.

Low taxes don't mean accurate assessments

Even in tax-friendly Lewis County, properties can be assessed above fair market value. Filing an appeal with recent comparable sales data can ensure you're paying only what you legally owe.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lewis County

via IncomeByCounty

Lewis County income substantially below national

Lewis County's median household income of $41,632 falls 44% short of the national median of $74,755. This income gap reflects limited job diversity and wage opportunities in the rural northeastern Kentucky economy.

Below-average income for Kentucky

Lewis County's $41,632 median household income sits 26% below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, ranking among the state's lower-income counties. Economic diversification beyond agriculture and small manufacturing remains a critical need.

Slightly ahead of struggling southeastern peers

Lewis County's $41,632 income edges ahead of Lee, Leslie, and Letcher counties in the $34,000-$40,500 range, though it lags more prosperous northern neighbors. Regional transportation networks and distance from urban centers limit wage-earning potential.

Housing costs pinch household budgets

Lewis County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.8% is among the highest in this county group, meaning housing consumes over a fifth of median income. The median home value of $86,100 requires careful financial planning on a $41,632 base income.

Prioritize emergency savings and debt reduction

Lewis County households earning $41,632 should aim to build 3-6 months of emergency savings before aggressive investing. Pursuing certifications, trade skills, or remote work opportunities can unlock higher wages and expand wealth-building potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Lewis County

via CrimeByCounty

Lewis County Beats National Safety Averages

Lewis County's safety score of 99.7 reflects a very low total crime rate of 160.8 per 100K. This is a massive improvement over the national average of 2,385.5.

A High Standard for State Safety

The county's rate of 160.8 per 100K is far below the Kentucky average of 786.2. Residents enjoy a safety score that consistently outperforms the state benchmark of 98.8.

Steady Safety Across the Region

Lewis County is safer than Lincoln County but reports slightly more activity than Letcher County. Two agencies work diligently to keep the total crime rate well under control.

Minimal Violent Crime Reported

Violent crime is nearly non-existent at 7.7 per 100K, which is a fraction of the national 369.8 average. Property crime represents most local activity at 153.1 per 100K.

Securing the Home Front

Maintaining strong window and door locks is the simplest way to deter property crime. Even in a high-safety county like Lewis, these habits keep the community secure.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Lewis County

via SoilByCounty

Typical Kentucky Acidity

Lewis County soils feature a pH of 5.79, nearly identical to the Kentucky state average of 5.80. This acidic profile falls well below the national median of 6.5, suggesting a frequent need for soil amendments like lime.

Silt-Driven Soil Mix

The soil mix is silt-heavy at 56.5%, balanced by 24.1% sand and 19.3% clay. This high silt content provides excellent workability but requires careful management to prevent surface crusting and compaction.

Standard Nutrient Capacity

Organic matter levels reach 2.46%, which beats the national average of 2.0% but lags behind the Kentucky average of 3.55%. The available water capacity stands at 0.181 inches, offering standard hydration support for local crops.

Moisture Management Needed

Specific drainage class data is currently unavailable, though the high silt percentage typically indicates moderate permeability. Builders and farmers should perform site-specific tests to ensure stable foundations and healthy roots.

Diverse Options in Zone 6b

Located in Zone 6b, Lewis County is ideal for growing apples, berries, and a wide variety of cool-season vegetables. Start a backyard garden today to take advantage of these established silty soils.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lewis County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Maintenance in Lewis County

Lewis County features a lawn difficulty score of 67.5, performing slightly better than the Kentucky average of 66.3. Situated in hardiness zone 6b, this area provides a stable environment for traditional Kentucky lawns.

Consistent Rain and Manageable Heat

The county receives 47.9 inches of annual precipitation, which falls comfortably within the ideal 30-50 inch range for lawn health. With 21 extreme heat days annually, the summers are milder than the state average of 30, reducing the need for intensive irrigation.

Addressing Acidic Soil Levels

The soil here is naturally acidic with a pH of 5.79, sitting just below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for most turf. To balance the 19.3% clay and 24.1% sand mix, homeowners often need to apply lime to unlock essential nutrients for the grass.

Managing Short-Term Dry Spells

The county saw five weeks of drought over the past year, though current conditions show no immediate dry areas. To stay resilient, use deep, infrequent watering during those occasional five-week dry stretches to encourage deep root growth.

Best Bets for Zone 6b

Cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass are the standard choice for this climate and 6b zone. Focus on soil amendments in the early spring to correct the 5.79 pH before the growing season fully accelerates.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lewis County's county score?
Lewis County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 65.1 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 Lewis County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Lewis County ranks #29 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 Lewis County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Lewis County is $617, with an effective tax rate of 0.64%. This earns Lewis County a tax score of 67.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lewis County?
The median household income in Lewis County, Kentucky is $46,838 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lewis County earns an income score of 7.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lewis County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Lewis County scores 65.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #29 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Lewis 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 Lewis 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.