Lincoln County

Kentucky · KY

#43 in Kentucky
71.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Kentucky

Lincoln County rises above national norm

Lincoln County's composite score of 75.9 tops the national median of 50.0 by 52%, demonstrating meaningful livability advantage. This performance reflects balanced strength across multiple economic dimensions.

Competitive position in Kentucky

Lincoln County scores 75.9, marginally above Kentucky's state average of 75.0. The county holds steady among comparable state peers.

Higher incomes boost competitive edge

Lincoln County stands apart with an Income Score of 16.6 and median household income of $50,862—notably higher than Appalachian neighbors. A Tax Score of 81.7 (effective rate: 0.732%) and Cost Score of 86.3 complement this income advantage.

Housing costs rising with income gains

While income leads regional peers, median home values of $139,300 reflect higher cost than neighboring counties. Safety, health, school, and water quality data remain unavailable for complete assessment.

Best for moderate-income families

Lincoln County appeals to families with moderate incomes seeking better earnings potential than surrounding counties. The county balances reasonable taxes, decent affordability, and income levels above regional averages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.7Cost86.3SafetyComing SoonHealth62.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.6Risk67.5WaterComing Soon
🏛81.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼16.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
62.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
67.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln County slightly above US average

Lincoln County's effective tax rate of 0.732% sits modestly above the national median of 0.86%, placing it in the middle range of American counties. The median annual tax of $1,020 is still less than 40% of the national median of $2,690.

Just above Kentucky's average rate

Lincoln County's 0.732% effective rate slightly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, making it one of the more fairly-taxed counties in the commonwealth. The median bill of $1,020 is slightly below the state median of $1,093.

Mid-range rate among comparable counties

Lincoln County's 0.732% rate falls between Letcher County's 0.932% and Leslie County's 0.718%, making it a moderate option regionally. With a median home value of $139,300, Lincoln attracts a more diverse real estate market than nearby mountain counties.

Median home: $139,300, annual tax $1,020

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $139,300 pays approximately $1,020 per year in property taxes. That amounts to about $85 monthly—or $1,165 annually when mortgage-related assessments are included.

Higher home values increase appeal potential

Because Lincoln County properties command higher values, an overassessment can cost significantly more than in neighboring counties. Reviewing your assessment against recent comparable sales is especially worthwhile here.

Cost of Living in Lincoln County

via CostByCounty

Lincoln County rent burden near national average

Lincoln County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% sits just above Kentucky's state average and reflects healthy housing affordability by national standards. The county's median household income of $50,862 is 32% below the national average, yet housing remains proportionally accessible.

Solidly affordable within Kentucky

Lincoln County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio nearly matches Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, placing it among the state's middle-tier counties for affordability. At $730 per month, median rent runs slightly below the state average, offering good value for renters.

Better value than Livingston and Lyon

Lincoln County's $730 median rent sits between Lee County's $593 and Livingston's $912, offering a reasonable middle ground for the region. Its 17.2% rent-to-income ratio beats nearly all neighboring counties, making it a solid choice for affordability-conscious renters.

Homeownership carries higher monthly costs

Lincoln County renters pay $730 monthly while homeowners spend $597, though the median home value of $139,300 is substantially higher than neighboring counties. With median household income of $50,862, housing consumes a reasonable 17% of income for renters and roughly 14% for owners.

Lincoln County balances affordability and value

Lincoln County delivers solid rental affordability with median homes valued at $139,300—higher than rural neighbors but lower than wealthier regions. The county's moderate incomes and reasonable housing costs create a balanced option for families prioritizing stability over rapid wealth building.

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln County earns closer to national median

Lincoln County's median household income of $50,862 sits 32% below the national median of $74,755, representing a smaller gap than many neighboring counties. This positioning reflects Lincoln County's stronger economic foundations and more diverse employment base.

Outperforms Kentucky's state average

Lincoln County's $50,862 median household income falls just 9% below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, placing it in the state's middle income tier. Economic activity and proximity to larger regional markets support wages above many rural eastern Kentucky counties.

Leading income growth among regional peers

Lincoln County's $50,862 significantly exceeds struggling neighbors Lee ($34,182), Leslie ($40,176), Letcher ($40,501), and Lewis ($41,632), marking a clear income tier above southeastern peers. This advantage reflects Lincoln's more diversified economy and strategic location.

Housing affordable despite higher home values

Lincoln County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% keeps housing costs reasonable, and median home values of $139,300 become achievable for dual-income households. The higher home values reflect stronger property demand and economic stability in the county.

Lincoln County residents can invest aggressively

With income approaching state averages, Lincoln County households have increased capacity to fund retirement accounts, education savings, and investment portfolios. Families should maximize 401(k) contributions, consider real estate investment, and explore wealth-building strategies with a financial advisor.

Health in Lincoln County

via HealthByCounty

Lincoln County spans eight-year life expectancy gap

Lincoln County residents live to 70.5 years on average, trailing the U.S. average of 78.9 years by 8.4 years. About one in five residents (22.8%) report poor or fair health—roughly double the national average of 11%.

Performs better than most Eastern peers

At 70.5 years, Lincoln County's life expectancy falls 1.7 years below Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years, but outperforms most neighboring counties in the region. Its 22.8% poor/fair health rate is among the stronger rates in Eastern Kentucky.

Eastern Kentucky's health middle ground

Lincoln County's 70.5-year life expectancy ranks it between Lewis County (70.0) and Livingston County (71.0), with 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 105 mental health providers per 100,000. This mid-tier profile reflects a county with better-than-average mental health resources for the region.

Uninsured rate above state, primary care moderate

Lincoln County's 7.6% uninsured rate exceeds Kentucky's 7.0% average, yet the county maintains 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a modest but functional supply. Even with limited coverage, those with insurance have better access to routine care than many Eastern Kentucky peers.

Secure your coverage to maximize access

Lincoln County's primary care capacity means that coverage translates directly into care access. Check your health insurance status at healthcare.gov and take advantage of your county's provider network to manage your health proactively.

Disaster Risk in Lincoln County

via RiskByCounty

Lincoln County poses minimal disaster risk

Lincoln County's composite risk score of 32.57 falls 26% below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, marking it as very low risk nationally. Residents face below-average exposure to major natural disaster hazards.

Lower-risk Kentucky county

Lincoln County ranks in the lower-risk half of Kentucky with a composite score of 32.57, about 26% below the state average. The county's position reflects generally manageable hazard exposure for most of its residents.

Comparable to surrounding counties

Lincoln County (32.57) has similar risk to neighboring Leslie County (31.71) and Lewis County (41.48), making it a moderate-risk area regionally. All three counties face lower hazard exposure than Letcher County (66.60) to the east.

Earthquake risk stands out most

Earthquake risk (57.38) is Lincoln County's most elevated hazard, significantly exceeding the state average, though the county's overall risk remains low. Tornado risk (39.63) and hurricane risk (42.47) also rank above state norms, while flood risk (44.21) sits at the state average and wildfire risk (24.33) remains low.

Earthquake insurance merits consideration

Lincoln County residents should review their homeowners policies carefully, particularly regarding earthquake coverage given the county's elevated risk score of 57.38. Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most hazards, but consider additional earthquake protection if your home's construction predates modern seismic codes.

ByCounty Network

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