CountyScore

Martin County

Kentucky · KY

#75 in Kentucky
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Martin County, Kentucky

Martin County ranks in national top tier

Martin County's composite score of 79.0 soars 58% above the national median of 50.0, placing it among America's most livable counties by affordability standards. This exceptional ranking reflects outstanding cost metrics and tax advantages.

Kentucky's standout livability leader

Martin County ranks notably above Kentucky's state average composite score of 75.0 by 4 points, making it one of the commonwealth's best performers. This distinction positions it as a regional leader in livability and affordability.

Exceptional affordability anchors Martin County

Martin County boasts the highest cost score of 94.2 in this cohort, with median home values of just $84,900 and remarkable rents of $441 monthly. This extraordinary affordability is bolstered by a tax score of 80.5 and 0.774% effective rate, making it unmatched for budget-conscious residents.

Income levels significantly limited locally

Martin County's income score of 13.5 reflects a median household income of only $46,185, among the state's lowest earning regions. The county faces substantial economic headwinds that limit local employment opportunities and wage growth.

Martin suits independent-income households

Martin County is perfect for retirees, remote workers, and those with income from sources outside the local economy who demand maximum affordability. Its extraordinary housing costs and minimal taxes create unbeatable living expenses for non-local-income residents.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.5Cost94.2SafetyComing SoonHealth54SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.5Risk50.1WaterComing Soon
🏛80.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠94.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡50.1
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 Martin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Petersburg Borough
Alaska
70.3
Median income: $77,026
Trinity County
California
70.3
Median income: $53,498
Johnson County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $54,183
Pulaski County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $47,688
Webster County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $40,764

Deep Dives

Martin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Martin County

via TaxByCounty

Martin's rate ranks among nation's lowest

Martin County's 0.774% effective tax rate remains far below the national median of $2,690 annually on a $281,900 home, reflecting Appalachian property values averaging just $84,900. Even with one of the region's highest rates, Martin homeowners pay less than one-third the national median tax bill.

Martin highest-rate county in this group

At 0.774%, Martin County's effective rate exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719% by a notable margin, ranking as one of the state's higher-rate counties. The median tax bill of $657 remains 40% below Kentucky's $1,093 state median, driven by low property values.

Martin tops regional tax rate rankings

Martin County's 0.774% rate is the highest among nearby peers, surpassing Madison County (0.739%), McCracken County (0.734%), Magoffin County (0.728%), Marshall County (0.717%), and Mason County (0.634%). Despite this, absolute tax bills remain modest due to low home values.

Median Martin home pays $657 yearly

An $84,900 home in Martin County incurs approximately $657 in annual property taxes, translating to about $55 monthly for owners without mortgages. Adding mortgage-related assessments raises the typical bill to $1,014.

Overassessment still possible in Martin

Even in Martin County's economically challenged housing market, assessments can exceed actual property values, particularly for older homes. Requesting a formal assessment appeal with the county assessor requires minimal effort and could yield immediate savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Martin County

via CostByCounty

Martin County defies affordability crisis

Martin County residents spend just 11.5% of income on rent—the lowest burden among all Kentucky peer counties and a fraction of national stress levels. Despite a modest $46,185 median household income, rock-bottom housing costs make this county exceptionally affordable.

Kentucky's most affordable county

Martin County's 11.5% rent-to-income ratio demolishes the state average of 17.0%, making it the clear affordability leader among Kentucky communities. At $441 monthly rent, Martin offers housing that truly serves lower-income Kentuckians.

Rents lowest by far in region

Martin's $441 median rent is dramatically lower than all neighbors—Magoffin ($633), McCreary ($588), Madison ($851), and Mason ($724)—despite a middle-of-pack income of $46,185. This extreme affordability reflects a less competitive local housing market.

Housing barely strains the budget

Martin renters pay just $441 monthly (11.5% of income) while owners manage even better at $438, leaving substantial room in household budgets. The median home value of $84,900 makes ownership achievable for working families with modest savings.

Martin: ultra-affordable but check opportunities

If housing cost is your sole criterion, Martin County is unbeatable—11.5% of income for rent versus state averages near 17%. Before relocating, verify job prospects and services match your needs, since extreme affordability can signal limited local economic dynamism.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Martin County

via IncomeByCounty

Martin lags significantly behind national income

Martin County's median household income of $46,185 falls 38% short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting Appalachian economic patterns. Per capita income of $29,000 closely mirrors Kentucky's state average of $29,616, masking overall household challenges.

Below-average earner in Kentucky

Martin County's median household income of $46,185 runs $9,724 below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, placing it in the lower-income tier statewide. The county faces persistent economic headwinds.

Struggles in eastern Kentucky cluster

Martin County's $46,185 income exceeds only Magoffin County ($33,632) and McCreary County ($37,355) among peer counties, but trails Magoffin and McCreary by affordability metrics. The eastern Kentucky region shows concentrated lower-income conditions.

Housing remains surprisingly affordable

Martin County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.5% is the lowest across all eight counties, showing households dedicate minimal earnings to housing costs. Median home values of just $84,900 make homeownership highly accessible despite lower incomes.

Low housing costs unlock savings potential

Martin County residents benefit from the state's lowest housing-to-income burden, freeing capital for emergency savings and retirement contributions. Families should leverage this advantage to build financial security and explore career advancement opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Martin County

via HealthByCounty

Martin County faces serious health crisis

Life expectancy in Martin County is just 70.6 years—nearly 2 years below the U.S. average of 72.3 years. An alarming 33.9% of residents report poor or fair health—nearly double the national average of 17.9%—reflecting deep chronic disease burden and health despair.

Among Kentucky's most challenged

Martin County's 70.6-year life expectancy is 1.6 years below Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, placing it near the bottom statewide. With 33.9% of residents reporting poor or fair health, Martin ranks among Kentucky's most health-challenged counties.

Worst in regional peer group

Martin County's 70.6-year life expectancy ranks lowest among eastern Kentucky peers, with the highest poor/fair health rate at 33.9%. Primary care access is severely limited at just 36 providers per 100,000—only slightly better than McCreary County's critically low 6 per 100K—forcing residents to travel far for basic care.

Underinsured and under-resourced

Martin County's 6.6% uninsured rate is slightly below Kentucky's average, but the real barrier is provider scarcity: only 36 primary care providers and 64 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Many residents must travel an hour or more to see a doctor, delaying diagnoses and worsening health crises.

Get covered and seek care proactively

In a county where nearly 1 in 3 people report poor health, insurance is life-saving but access is challenging. Enroll at kynect.ky.gov or call 1-855-MY-KYNCT, then ask your doctor about telehealth options and regional health centers that can reduce travel burden for urgent and routine care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Martin County

via RiskByCounty

Martin faces moderate disaster risk overall

Martin County's composite risk score of 49.94 ranks it as 'relatively low' and nearly aligns with the national average of 50.19. Wildfire (77.19) and flooding (71.22) are Martin's most acute hazards, reflecting the county's exposure to seasonal environmental threats.

Martin sits slightly above Kentucky's average

Martin's composite score of 49.94 modestly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it in the middle of the statewide risk distribution. Wildfire risk at 77.19 is notably higher than the state norm, marking wildfire as a key management priority.

Martin is riskier than Magoffin but safer than Madison

Martin's score of 49.94 sits between neighboring Magoffin County (34.99) and Madison County (74.84), reflecting a middle position in the region's hazard landscape. However, Martin's wildfire risk of 77.19 significantly exceeds both neighbors, distinguishing it as a fire-vulnerable area.

Wildfire and flooding pose primary threats

Wildfire (77.19) is Martin's dominant hazard, while flooding (71.22) poses a secondary but serious risk during wet seasons. Tornado risk remains minimal at 21.88, giving the county a more predictable seasonal threat cycle than many Kentucky peers.

Defend against wildfire and prepare for floods

Create a 30-foot defensible space around your home by removing dead vegetation and overhanging branches—critical with wildfire risk at 77.19. Ensure your homeowner's policy covers both wildfire and flood damage, and maintain gutters and drainage systems to manage seasonal water intrusion.

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.