countyscore
62.3
County Score
Safety 80Disaster Risk 71.1Property Tax 68.3

County Report Card

About Lyon County, Kentucky

Lyon County Leads National Median

Lyon County earns a 63.7 composite score, significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This strong rating reflects its status as a desirable place to live by national standards.

Superior Quality in Kentucky

The county's score of 63.7 places it well above the state average of 58.6. It is one of the top-tier counties in the region for financial stability and public safety.

Minimal Taxes and Safe Communities

Lyon County excels with a Tax Score of 80.1, thanks to an exceptionally low effective rate of 0.553%. This is paired with a Safety Score of 80.0 and a solid Income Score of 52.0.

Infrastructure Challenges Remain

The Water Score of 21.5 is the county's most significant weakness, indicating a need for utility upgrades. While the income is good at $64,464, the cost of housing is rising, leading to a Cost Score of 59.9.

Top Pick for Prosperous Retirees

Lyon County is the premier choice for those seeking the lowest possible tax burden alongside a safe, high-income environment. It is particularly well-suited for families or retirees who value financial efficiency and security.

2040608010068.362.8805252.648.271.121.564Tax68.3Cost62.8Safety80Health52Schools52.6Income48.2Risk71.1Water21.5Weather6462.3/100
This county
National avg
4 above average1 below average

Lyon County DNA

Doverall

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

Lyon County excels in 5 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Safety (80/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Water Quality (21.5/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
68.3+16.299999999999997
Cost
62.8+14.799999999999997
Safety
80+25
Health
52
Schools
52.6
Income
48.2
Risk
71.1+24.099999999999994
Water
21.5-36.5
Weather
64+8
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Compare mortgage rates in Lyon County

Whether buying or refinancing in Lyon County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$189,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$747/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$189,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,066/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.3

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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Counties with similar scores

Benton County
Indiana
Median income: $65,875
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Whitley County
Indiana
Median income: $78,083
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Norton County
Kansas
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Bracken County
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Median income: $66,319
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Kemper County
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Median income: $46,431
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Mason County
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Median income: $74,180
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Russell County
Virginia
Median income: $50,012
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Morgan County
Indiana
Median income: $79,429
62.2

Nearby counties

Marshall County
Kentucky
56.1
Caldwell County
Kentucky
62.7
Trigg County
Kentucky
60.9
Livingston County
Kentucky
58.2
Crittenden County
Kentucky
61.9
Pope County
Illinois
66.9
Calloway County
Kentucky
55
McCracken County
Kentucky
45.5

Deep Dives

Lyon County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Lyon County

via CrimeByCounty

Lyon County Enjoys High Safety Ratings

With a total crime rate of 470.2 per 100K, Lyon County is five times safer than the national average. It holds a high safety score of 99.3.

Stronger Safety Than State Average

Lyon County's crime rate of 470.2 per 100K is much lower than the Kentucky average of 786.2. Its 99.3 safety score beats the state average of 98.8.

Maintaining Peace in the Region

Lyon County is significantly safer than Logan County, though it reports more incidents than Lee County. Two local agencies actively monitor the area to maintain this secure environment.

Violent Crime Remains Very Low

Violent crime is rare at 45.9 per 100K, while property crime accounts for 424.3. Both figures are small fractions of the national averages of 369.8 and 2,015.7.

Smart Security for Your Home

Visible cameras are a powerful deterrent against property crimes, which make up most local reports. Lyon County stays safe when residents take simple steps to protect their property.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Lyon County

via WeatherByCounty

Subtropical influence and high warmth

Lyon County is exceptionally warm for the region, averaging 60.9°F annually. This temperature is significantly higher than the national median, reflecting a deep subtropical influence.

The group's warmest county

Lyon is the warmest in this group, sitting 4.7 degrees above the Kentucky state average. It also sees 50 extreme heat days, more than double the frequency of most other Kentucky counties.

Hottest in the regional set

Compared to Livingston, Lyon is nearly 4 degrees warmer and sees 12 more extreme heat days. It is the hottest county in this regional set, with July averages topping 80°F.

Extreme summer heat, mild winters

Summer is long and hot, featuring 50 days of 90°F weather and a 79.2°F average. Winters are the mildest in the region, staying well above freezing with a 41.3°F average.

Invest in heavy-duty cooling

This climate demands heavy-duty cooling systems and heat-tolerant landscaping. Prepare for 50 days of extreme heat and ensure outdoor activities are scheduled for early morning or late evening.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Lyon County

via SoilByCounty

Western Kentucky Soil Identity

While specific pH data for Lyon County is N/A, the region typically mirrors the state average of 5.80. This level is more acidic than the national 6.5 median, suggesting that most gardeners will benefit from regular soil testing.

Unspecified Soil Texture

Sand, silt, and clay percentages are not currently mapped for Lyon County. Most soils in this part of Kentucky are loess-derived, meaning they likely feature a silty texture that provides good nutrient retention and workability.

Fertility Targets

Organic matter and water capacity data are currently unavailable for this area. To achieve the best results, local growers should aim to build organic matter toward the Kentucky state average of 3.55%.

Hydrology Near the Lakes

Formal drainage classifications are currently not listed for Lyon County. Given the proximity to major water bodies, understanding local groundwater levels is essential for any gardening or building project.

Garden Readiness in Zone 7a

Lyon County is located in Hardiness Zone 7a, which is perfect for a wide variety of vegetables and flowering perennials. The mild winters and long summers make it an excellent place to start your gardening journey.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lyon County

via LawnByCounty

Lyon County’s High-Difficulty Turf

Lyon County presents a significant challenge with a lawn difficulty score of 45.2, falling below both the state (66.3) and national (50.0) benchmarks. Maintaining a green space in this 7a zone requires diligent attention to heat and moisture levels.

Kentucky’s Summer Heat Peak

This county leads the region with 50 extreme heat days per year—20 more than the state average. Although 53.1 inches of rain falls annually, the massive 5,132 growing degree days mean that lawns consume moisture at an accelerated rate.

Prioritize Soil Health Checks

Specific soil data is missing for Lyon County, but the high rainfall suggests a risk of nutrient leaching and potential acidity. Before the season begins, test your soil to ensure it can handle the heavy 53.1 inches of annual precipitation without becoming waterlogged.

Battling Current Dry Spells

The area is currently 100% abnormally dry and suffered through 10 weeks of drought over the past year. To protect your lawn during these stretches, avoid fertilizing in the heat of summer and prioritize deep watering in the early morning hours.

Long Season, High Demands

The spring frost clears early on March 27, and the first fall frost doesn't arrive until November 8. This exceptionally long growing season is perfect for warm-season grasses like Bermuda, which thrive during the county's 50 annual heat days.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lyon County's county score?
Lyon County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 62.3 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 Lyon County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Lyon County ranks #43 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 Lyon County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Lyon County is $1,196, with an effective tax rate of 0.63%. This earns Lyon County a tax score of 68.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lyon County?
The median household income in Lyon County, Kentucky is $65,066 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lyon County earns an income score of 48.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lyon County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Lyon County scores 62.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #43 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Lyon 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 Lyon 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.