CountyScore

Marshall County

Kentucky · KY

#68 in Kentucky
70.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Marshall County, Kentucky

Marshall County outperforms national average

Marshall County's composite score of 75.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 50%, positioning it firmly among America's more livable counties. This strong national ranking reflects solid affordability and tax advantages.

Essentially matches Kentucky's average

Marshall County's 75.1 score essentially aligns with Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's livability spectrum. The negligible difference indicates typical Kentucky county conditions.

Strong income with low taxes and costs

Marshall County excels with the highest income score of 24.9 among this cohort and a median household income of $63,611, paired with a tax score of 82.1 and 0.717% effective rate. Median home values of $173,700 and rents of $773 offer reasonable affordability for higher-earning households.

Limited data on additional livability factors

Data on safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality remain unavailable, preventing a complete livability assessment. Additional information would clarify whether Marshall County's strong fiscal metrics translate across all quality-of-life dimensions.

Marshall suits professional-income families

Marshall County is ideal for mid-to-upper income professional families seeking reasonable housing costs and favorable tax treatment without extreme affordability. Its strong income profile and moderate housing expense create comfortable middle-class living conditions.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.1Cost82.3SafetyComing SoonHealth69.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.9Risk38.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38.1
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 Marshall County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Greene County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $84,530
Jenkins County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $36,906
Lincoln County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $50,688
Wilkinson County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $46,673
Blaine County
Idaho
70.7
Median income: $84,470

Deep Dives

Marshall County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Marshall County

via TaxByCounty

Marshall's tax burden trails U.S. median

Marshall County's 0.717% effective tax rate is less than one-quarter the national median property tax bill of $2,690 on a $281,900 home. With a median home value of $173,700, Marshall homeowners enjoy both lower rates and lower-valued properties than national averages.

Marshall slightly below Kentucky average

At 0.717%, Marshall's rate falls just barely below Kentucky's 0.719% state average, placing it near the statewide median. The county's $1,246 median tax bill exceeds Kentucky's $1,093 state median by 14%, reflecting modest home values relative to the state.

Marshall mid-range among regional counties

Marshall County's 0.717% rate sits between lower-tax Mason County (0.634%) and higher-tax Martin County (0.774%), with Madison County (0.739%) and McCracken County (0.734%) nearby. The county occupies a balanced position in a regionally diverse tax landscape.

Median Marshall home costs $1,246 yearly

A typical $173,700 home in Marshall County generates approximately $1,246 in annual property taxes, roughly $104 monthly for owners without mortgages. Mortgage-related add-ons bring the effective bill to $1,376.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Marshall County residents should verify that their assessments align with recent neighborhood sales prices, as overassessment is common statewide. Filing an appeal costs nothing and may uncover significant overpayment opportunities.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Marshall County

via CostByCounty

Marshall avoids the affordability squeeze

Marshall County residents spend just 14.6% of income on rent—the lowest ratio among peer counties and well below Kentucky's 17% average. With a median household income of $63,611 nearing the national $74,755, Marshall combines stronger earnings with controlled housing costs.

Kentucky's affordability leaders

Marshall County ranks among Kentucky's best for housing affordability, with a 14.6% rent-to-income ratio that undercuts the state average by 2.4 percentage points. This efficiency reflects both reasonable rents and above-average household earnings for the state.

Strong income lifts affordability rank

Marshall's $63,611 median income tops all neighbors except Madison ($62,407), paired with $773 rent just above Marion's low of $731. This income strength makes Marshall's housing costs feel lighter than regional peers.

Balanced rent and ownership costs

Marshall renters allocate $773 monthly (14.6% of income) while owners pay $804, both figures consuming similar modest shares of the $63,611 median income. The median home value of $173,700 remains accessible to local wage earners.

Marshall combines income and value

Marshall offers perhaps the best overall package: strong median income ($63,611), low rent burden (14.6%), and a $173,700 median home value that won't stretch you thin. If you want regional stability with affordability, Marshall merits comparison to Madison and Marion.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marshall County

via IncomeByCounty

Marshall leads Kentucky income rankings

Marshall County's median household income of $63,611 sits 15% below the national median of $74,755, but ranks among the highest in Kentucky. Per capita income of $33,532 exceeds the state average of $29,616 by 13%.

Top earner tier statewide

Marshall County ranks in Kentucky's upper tier with median household income of $63,611, topping the state average of $55,909 by $7,702. It competes directly with the state's strongest-earning counties.

Leads region in household earnings

Marshall County's $63,611 income edges out Madison County ($62,407) and McCracken County ($62,385), making it the regional income leader. It substantially outpaces Marion County ($55,404) and Mason County ($51,473) in nearby areas.

Lowest housing burden in region

Marshall County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% is the lowest among regional peers, indicating efficient housing affordability. With median home values at $173,700, homeownership remains accessible for median-income households.

Strong income foundation for investing

Marshall County's above-average earnings position residents well for diversified wealth-building through homeownership, stocks, and retirement accounts. The favorable rent-to-income ratio frees resources for aggressive savings and long-term investment strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Marshall County

via HealthByCounty

Marshall County leads on longevity

Marshall County residents live to 74.8 years on average—more than 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 72.3 years. Only 20.4% report poor or fair health, close to the national average of 17.9%, signaling a county where longer life often means better health.

Kentucky's lifespan champion

At 74.8 years, Marshall County has the highest life expectancy in this peer group and exceeds Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years by 2.6 years. This puts Marshall among Kentucky's healthiest counties by life expectancy measure.

Regional health leader

Marshall County's 74.8-year life expectancy tops Madison (73.8), Marion (73.2), and other nearby counties, earning its status as a regional health leader. However, with only 41 primary care providers per 100K and just 35 mental health providers per 100K, Marshall's mental health resources lag significantly behind peer counties like Mason (493 per 100K).

Good insurance, but tight mental health

Marshall County's 6.2% uninsured rate is well below Kentucky's 7.0%, with most residents covered for basic care. The challenge emerges in mental health: at 35 providers per 100,000—the lowest in this peer group—residents needing psychiatric or counseling services may struggle to find available providers.

Secure coverage and seek mental health support

Marshall County's low uninsured rate is strong, but don't let it lull you into complacency—verify your coverage annually at kynect.ky.gov. If you or your family need mental health care, ask your primary doctor for referrals or call 1-855-MY-KYNCT; some services may require travel to nearby counties.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marshall County

via RiskByCounty

Marshall faces above-average disaster exposure

With a composite risk score of 61.93, Marshall County ranks as 'relatively low' but sits above the national average of 50.19. Earthquake risk (92.59) is exceptionally high—among the most significant in the state—making seismic preparedness essential.

Marshall's earthquake risk is statewide standout

Marshall's composite score of 61.93 exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21, driven largely by its extraordinary earthquake risk of 92.59. This seismic vulnerability is one of the highest in Kentucky and demands serious mitigation planning.

Marshall stands out for earthquake threat

While Marshall's composite score of 61.93 is moderate among neighbors, its earthquake risk of 92.59 dramatically exceeds nearby McCracken County's 97.55—both among the state's highest. Marshall's tornado exposure (60.78) is comparable to regional peers but far lower than its seismic risk.

Earthquakes pose the dominant threat here

Earthquake risk at 92.59 is Marshall's defining hazard and among Kentucky's highest, warranting retrofit investments and emergency preparedness that most counties never need. Tornado risk (60.78) and flooding (47.26) are secondary but still significant concerns for the region.

Retrofit now for earthquake resilience

With earthquake risk at 92.59, secure your home's foundation, brace water heaters, and bolt heavy furniture to walls—measures that pay dividends when seismic activity strikes. Standard homeowner's insurance doesn't cover earthquake damage; obtain a separate earthquake policy and ensure your policy limits align with replacement costs.

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.