CountyScore

Lyon County

Kentucky · KY

#11 in Kentucky
74.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Lyon County, Kentucky

Lyon County leads the regional cohort

Lyon County's composite score of 76.9 tops the national median of 50.0 by 54%, ranking it among the nation's stronger counties. This represents the highest score in this Kentucky group.

Kentucky's top performer in this group

Lyon County scores 76.9, outpacing Kentucky's state average of 75.0 by nearly 2 points. The county stands as the strongest performer among these eight Kentucky counties.

Highest incomes and lowest taxes

Lyon County excels with an Income Score of 25.5 and median household income of $64,464—the highest in this group. A Tax Score of 86.7 with effective rate of 0.553% delivers the region's lowest overall tax burden.

Housing costs reflect prosperity

The Cost Score of 82.3 reflects median home values of $183,600 and rents at $809/month, the highest in this cohort as economic advantage climbs. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data remain unavailable.

Best for affluent, tax-conscious families

Lyon County attracts established professionals, executives, and families seeking the region's highest incomes and lowest taxes. The county offers the best economic fundamentals in this Kentucky group, ideal for those with solid earnings prioritizing tax efficiency.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.7Cost82.3SafetyComing SoonHealth68.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk71.1WaterComing Soon
🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡71.1
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 Lyon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Searcy County
Arkansas
74.4
Median income: $41,978
Carroll County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $64,003
Fountain County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $62,526
Jasper County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $79,634
Perry County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $61,099

Deep Dives

Lyon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lyon County

via TaxByCounty

Lyon County among America's lowest taxed

Lyon County's effective rate of 0.553% ranks in the bottom 1% of US counties for property tax burden. The median annual tax of $1,016 is just 38% of the national median of $2,690.

Lowest rate in all of Kentucky

Lyon County's 0.553% rate is significantly lower than Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, making it the most tax-favorable county in the commonwealth. The median bill of $1,016 remains below the state median of $1,093 despite higher home values.

Unmatched low rates in western Kentucky

Lyon County's 0.553% rate beats all nearby comparables, including Logan County (0.624%), Livingston County (0.628%), and all eastern counties. This makes Lyon an exceptional choice for property buyers prioritizing tax savings.

Median home: $183,600, annual tax $1,016

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $183,600 pays approximately $1,016 per year in property taxes. That's roughly $85 monthly—or $1,332 annually including mortgage-related tax assessments.

Lowest rates make appeals especially valuable

Lyon County's extremely favorable tax environment means fewer dollars leave your pocket annually—making any overassessment proportionally more painful. Verifying your assessment against recent comparable sales ensures you benefit fully from the county's low-tax advantage.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lyon County

via CostByCounty

Lyon County balances higher homes and wages

Lyon County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% sits well below national affordability stress levels, with renters spending a manageable share of income on housing. The county's median household income of $64,464 is the region's highest and 14% below the national median, yet housing remains proportionally affordable.

Strong affordability with above-average income

Lyon County's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio beats Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, placing it among the state's most affordable counties. With median household income of $64,464—among the highest in rural Kentucky—residents enjoy both strong earnings and reasonable housing costs.

Highest incomes, highest home values

Lyon County's $809 median rent is mid-range regionally, but its $64,464 median household income is the cluster's highest, delivering excellent affordability. The county's $183,600 median home value is also the highest here, reflecting a stronger overall economic profile.

Premium homes command proportional owner costs

Renters pay $809 monthly while homeowners spend $762, making ownership competitive with renting despite the county's premium home values of $183,600. With median household income of $64,464, housing consumes only 15.1% of renter income and roughly 14% for owners—the region's best balance.

Lyon County: best overall housing value proposition

Lyon County offers the region's strongest income-to-housing balance, with the highest median incomes and excellent affordability ratios for both renters and buyers. If you seek higher-quality homes in a stable economic environment, Lyon County's $183,600 median home value delivers genuine regional value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lyon County

via IncomeByCounty

Lyon County income reaches near-national median

Lyon County's median household income of $64,464 sits 86% of the national median of $74,755, representing the strongest income performance in this group. This income level reflects Lyon County's successful economic development and competitive regional job market.

Tops Kentucky with upper-tier income

Lyon County's $64,464 median household income runs 15% above Kentucky's state average of $55,909, positioning it among the state's highest-income counties. This advantage reflects Lyon County's prosperity and economic advantages within the commonwealth.

Leading income earner in this county group

Lyon County's $64,464 income surpasses all seven peer counties, significantly outpacing struggling southeastern peers and even exceeding prosperous northern neighbors Logan ($61,535) and Livingston ($59,713). Lyon County has emerged as an economic leader in the region.

Lowest rent-to-income ratio in the group

Lyon County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% is among the best, with housing consuming less than one-sixth of median income. Median home values of $183,600 are well-supported by the $64,464 median income, reflecting a healthy real estate market.

Lyon County can pursue ambitious wealth goals

Households earning $64,464 have capacity to maximize retirement contributions, fund education savings plans, and build diversified investment portfolios with real wealth-building potential. Consider consulting a financial planner about real estate appreciation, business investments, and long-term wealth preservation strategies for retirement and intergenerational transfers.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lyon County

via HealthByCounty

Lyon County approaches national health average

Lyon County residents live to 76.0 years on average—just 2.9 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years and substantially ahead of most Kentucky peers. Only one in five residents (20.2%) report poor or fair health, indicating a notably healthier population.

Kentucky's healthiest county profile

At 76.0 years, Lyon County's life expectancy far exceeds Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years by 3.8 years—the highest among all 120 Kentucky counties in this analysis. The county's 20.2% poor/fair health rate represents exceptional performance statewide.

Far outpaces Eastern Kentucky health metrics

Lyon County's 76.0-year life expectancy represents a 6.3-year advantage over Lee County (68.3 years) and 2.2 years over Logan County (73.8 years), despite having moderate provider density at 34 primary care and 54 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. This health success story merits closer study.

Higher uninsured rate amid better outcomes

Interestingly, Lyon County's 8.6% uninsured rate—the highest in the comparison set and above Kentucky's 7.0% average—exists alongside the county's exceptional health outcomes. This suggests strong provider supply (34 primary care per 100K) and health-conscious behaviors compensate for coverage gaps.

Close the coverage gap in your county

Even though Lyon County leads statewide in life expectancy, nearly 1 in 12 residents still lack health insurance. Visit healthcare.gov to explore coverage options and ensure every resident can access the preventive care that keeps your county healthy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lyon County

via RiskByCounty

Lyon County maintains very low risk

Lyon County's composite risk score of 28.88 is 35% below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, making it one of the state's safest counties for natural disasters. This very low rating reflects minimal overall hazard exposure.

Safer than Kentucky average

Lyon County ranks in the lower-risk tier statewide with a composite score of 28.88, about one-third below the state average of 44.21. The county benefits particularly from very low wildfire (12.75) and flood (18.16) exposure compared to Kentucky norms.

Comparable to regional peers

Lyon County (28.88) ranks slightly higher-risk than Livingston County (27.13) but significantly safer than Logan County (54.64), making it one of the region's lower-risk areas. The county's low wildfire and flood scores provide distinct advantages over many Kentucky counties.

Earthquake and tornado pose risks

Earthquake risk (82.00) and tornado risk (48.03) are Lyon County's most elevated hazards, though the county's overall risk remains very low. Flood risk (18.16) and wildfire risk (12.75) are exceptionally low compared to state averages, while hurricane risk (17.81) remains minimal.

Consider earthquake coverage option

Lyon County's very low composite risk score means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents. Given the county's elevated earthquake risk score of 82.00, consider consulting your insurance agent about earthquake coverage options as an additional protective measure.

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.