Lewis County's composite score of 76.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 53%, placing it among stronger-performing U.S. counties. This advantage reflects competitive tax and cost conditions.
2 / 5
Outperforms Kentucky average
Lewis County scores 76.5, surpassing Kentucky's state average of 75.0 by 1.5 points. The county ranks as a solid performer among the commonwealth's counties.
3 / 5
Low taxes and strong affordability
Lewis County shines with a Tax Score of 84.0 (effective rate: 0.648%) and a Cost Score of 87.4, offering housing at median $86,100 with rents around $757/month. This tax-affordability combination supports household savings.
4 / 5
Income growth remains constrained
An Income Score of 10.6 reflects a median household income of $41,632, modestly above Appalachian peers but below state norms. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality are currently unavailable.
5 / 5
Suits savers seeking low tax burden
Lewis County attracts families and retirees focused on minimizing taxes and stretching limited incomes. The county's low effective tax rate and reasonable housing costs create an attractive financial environment for income-conscious households.
Lewis County's composite score of 76.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 53%, placing it among stronger-performing U.S. counties. This advantage reflects competitive tax and cost conditions.
Outperforms Kentucky average
Lewis County scores 76.5, surpassing Kentucky's state average of 75.0 by 1.5 points. The county ranks as a solid performer among the commonwealth's counties.
Low taxes and strong affordability
Lewis County shines with a Tax Score of 84.0 (effective rate: 0.648%) and a Cost Score of 87.4, offering housing at median $86,100 with rents around $757/month. This tax-affordability combination supports household savings.
Income growth remains constrained
An Income Score of 10.6 reflects a median household income of $41,632, modestly above Appalachian peers but below state norms. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality are currently unavailable.
Suits savers seeking low tax burden
Lewis County attracts families and retirees focused on minimizing taxes and stretching limited incomes. The county's low effective tax rate and reasonable housing costs create an attractive financial environment for income-conscious households.
Score breakdown
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🏛84
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Lewis County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.8% exceeds typical American affordability thresholds and signals housing stress for renters on local wages. With median household income of just $41,632—44% below the national average—the $757 monthly rent hits household budgets hard.
Among Kentucky's least affordable rentals
Lewis County's 21.8% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, making it one of the state's least affordable counties for renters. Median rent of $757 matches the state average exactly, but Lewis incomes are substantially lower.
Most expensive rent in the regional cluster
Lewis County's $757 median rent is the highest among its neighboring counties—$164 above Leslie and $106 above Letcher. Combined with the region's lowest median household income relative to rent costs, Lewis renters face the tightest affordability squeeze.
Housing consumes over one-fifth of income
Monthly rent of $757 and homeowner costs of $493 reveal that Lewis renters face notably higher expenses than homeowners here. With median household income of $41,632 annually, rent alone consumes 21.8% of typical household budgets—well above comfortable levels.
Lewis: choose carefully if renting
Lewis County's high rent-to-income ratio makes it challenging for renters, though homebuyers find median homes at reasonable $86,100 prices. Prioritize verifying stable local employment before relocating, as the county's economic situation requires dual-income or above-average wages to maintain comfort.
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.
Lewis County residents live to 70.0 years on average, falling 8.9 years short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Nearly three in ten residents (28.9%) report poor or fair health, significantly exceeding the national average of 11%.
Among Kentucky's lower-tier health performers
At 70.0 years, Lewis County's life expectancy trails Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years by 2.2 years. The county's 28.9% poor/fair health rate reflects substantial chronic disease burden across the population.
Mid-range Eastern Kentucky health profile
Lewis County's 70.0-year life expectancy sits between Leslie County (68.7) and Lincoln County (70.5), with the lowest primary care provider density among peers at just 15 per 100,000 residents. With only 46 mental health providers per 100,000, Lewis County faces the region's most constrained behavioral health access.
Higher uninsured rate compounds access barriers
Lewis County's 7.6% uninsured rate exceeds both the state average (7.0%) and national trends, and the county's severe provider shortage (15 primary care providers per 100K) means even insured residents struggle to find care. This one-two punch of coverage gaps and limited supply creates a critical access crisis.
Coverage is your first step to care
With one in thirteen residents uninsured and few providers available, every covered resident has a better chance of accessing needed care. Visit healthcare.gov today to check your coverage and ensure you're connected to the health system your community needs.
Lewis County's composite risk score of 41.48 sits slightly below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, earning a very low risk rating. This modest advantage reflects relatively balanced hazard exposure across the county's landscape.
Slightly safer than state average
Lewis County ranks just below the Kentucky state average with a composite score of 41.48 versus 44.21, placing it in the lower-risk half of the state's counties. The county benefits from lower wildfire exposure compared to many Appalachian peers.
Middle ground in regional risk
Lewis County (41.48) falls between higher-risk Letcher County (66.60) and lower-risk Lee County (7.51), making it a moderate-risk area regionally. Unlike Letcher, Lewis faces significantly lower wildfire threat due to different forest composition and land use patterns.
Flooding and tornadoes top the list
Flood risk (64.92) and tornado risk (35.72) are Lewis County's most significant hazards, with flooding substantially exceeding the state average. Earthquake risk (27.00) and hurricane risk (34.13) pose secondary threats, while wildfire risk (15.33) remains relatively low.
Prioritize flood and tornado coverage
Lewis County residents should secure flood insurance given the county's flood risk score of 64.92, well above the state average. Review your homeowners policy's tornado coverage and consider additional protection if you live in areas with history of severe weather impact.