countyscore
67.3
County Score
Cost of Living 99.2Safety 91.7Lawn Care 77

County Report Card

About Martin County, Kentucky

Martin County Excels Nationally

Martin County delivers an impressive composite score of 67.3, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. It ranks as a high-performing outlier in the national landscape for specific livability factors.

One of Kentucky's Strongest Scores

The county's 67.3 score is nearly nine points higher than the Kentucky state average of 58.6. This performance makes it a standout destination within the Commonwealth for those prioritizing certain amenities.

Unmatched Affordability and Safety

Martin County earns an incredible cost score of 99.2 and a safety score of 91.7. Median gross rent is exceptionally low at $441, making it one of the most affordable places to live in the state.

Economic and Healthcare Gaps

Economic opportunity is the primary struggle here, with an income score of only 8.5. Health outcomes also remain a challenge, with the county scoring 29.5 in the health dimension.

A Haven for the Budget-Conscious

This county is ideally suited for those with portable incomes who prioritize extreme affordability and community safety. It offers some of the lowest housing costs in the nation with surprisingly high school scores.

Score breakdown

Tax55.4Cost99.2Safety91.7Health29.5Schools73.9Income8.5Risk50.1Water32.5Weather63.9
🏛55.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠99.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼8.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡91.7
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤29.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓73.9
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡50.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧32.5
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤63.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱77
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Johnson County
Kentucky
67.4
Mingo County
West Virginia
63.6
Floyd County
Kentucky
61.3
Lawrence County
Kentucky
61.4
Wayne County
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55.5
Pike County
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56.7
Logan County
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58.4
Magoffin County
Kentucky
64.8

Deep Dives

Martin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Martin County

via CrimeByCounty

Martin County ranks among nation's safest

Martin County boasts a total crime rate of just 141.7 per 100,000 residents, far below the national average of 2,385.5. This stellar performance results in an elite safety score of 99.8. It is one of the most secure counties for residents in the entire country.

Surpassing Kentucky state safety marks

The county's crime rate of 141.7 is a fraction of the Kentucky state average of 786.2. Its safety score of 99.8 easily beats the state average of 98.8. Two local agencies provide the data that confirms Martin County's status as a top-tier safe haven.

How Martin compares to other safe counties

Martin County is highly secure, though its rate of 141.7 is slightly higher than Magoffin County's 103.0. It remains very similar to McCreary County, which reports a rate of 118.4. Regardless of the slight differences, the entire region maintains remarkably low crime levels.

Violent crime is nearly non-existent

Violent crime in Martin County is extremely low at 26.6 per 100,000, significantly lower than the state's 78.1 average. Property crime is also minimal at 115.1 per 100,000 residents. These numbers represent an environment where major criminal incidents are very rare.

Preserving Martin County's peaceful environment

While crime is low, maintaining basic security habits helps keep it that way. Always lock your vehicles and keep valuables out of sight to prevent opportunistic theft. Community vigilance is the key to holding onto these exceptional safety scores.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Schools in Martin County

via SchoolsByCounty

Small-Scale Learning in Martin County

Martin County's education infrastructure includes six public schools serving a total of 1,758 students. The system is organized into three elementary, one middle, and two high schools within a single district.

Elite Graduation Rates and High Investment

Martin County achieves a remarkable 97.0% graduation rate, well above the 93.8% state average. The county invests $7,476 per pupil, contributing to a high school score of 58.2, which leads many neighboring regions.

A Unified Rural School District

The Martin County school district manages all student enrollment without any charter school competition. This unified approach allows for targeted investment across the five primary campuses and specialized programs.

The Intimacy of Rural Education

Every school in the county is classified as rural, creating a tight-knit atmosphere where the average school size is just 352 students. Martin County High School is the largest with 529 students, while Inez Elementary serves 239.

Settle Down Near Top-Tier Schools

Families seeking high-performing schools and a small-town feel will find Martin County to be an ideal match. Home buyers here benefit from a district that ranks well above state and national graduation benchmarks.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Weather & Climate in Martin County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate Temperatures in the Appalachian Foothills

Martin County's annual average temperature of 55.0°F aligns closely with the national median. The climate is humid and temperate, typical of the central Appalachian region.

Cooler Than the Kentucky Average

The county stays cooler than the Kentucky state average of 56.2°F by over a degree. This temperature gap is most noticeable during the winter months in eastern Kentucky.

Drier Than Many Kentucky Peers

Martin County receives 47.7 inches of rain annually, which is notably lower than the state average of 50.6 inches. It is also cooler and drier than western Kentucky counties like Marshall.

Mild Summers and Chilly Winters

The county experiences 22 extreme heat days per year, with July temperatures averaging a comfortable 74.9°F. Winters are cold, with January averages dipping to 34.0°F.

Focus on Winter Readiness

With lower heat risks than the rest of the state, residents should focus on home insulation for the cold winter months. While annual snowfall data is limited, the sub-freezing January nights require reliable heating.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Martin County

via SoilByCounty

Appalachian Earth in Martin County

Detailed soil taxonomic data and pH levels for Martin County are currently unmapped. Growers here often work with soils that are more acidic than the national median of 6.5, a common trait in the eastern coalfields.

Terrain-Driven Soil Variations

Current data does not provide specific percentages for sand, silt, or clay across the county. The steep topography of the region often results in thinner soils on hillsides and deeper deposits in the valleys.

Building Your Own Soil Health

With no recorded average for organic matter or water capacity, local gardeners lead the way through hands-on experience. Amending your soil can help it compete with the state average organic matter level of 3.55%.

Water Movement in the Mountains

Dominant drainage classes are not listed in the available records for this area. Effective drainage is key in hilly terrain, and local observation remains the best way to plan for gardening or building.

Native Beauty in Zone 7a

Martin County is situated in Hardiness Zone 7a, which supports everything from blueberries to native hardwoods. The local climate offers plenty of warmth for a productive and beautiful home landscape.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Martin County

via LawnByCounty

Top-Tier Growing Conditions in Martin

With a lawn score of 77.0, Martin County is one of the easiest places in Kentucky to grow a lawn. This score is significantly higher than the state average and the national median, offering a very forgiving environment.

A Mild and Balanced Climate

Martin County enjoys a mild climate with only 22 extreme heat days, well below the state average of 30. Annual precipitation of 47.7 inches is within the ideal 30-50 inch range, ensuring your grass stays hydrated with less effort.

Checking Your Local Soil Profile

Specific data on local soil pH and texture is currently unavailable, so a home soil test is highly recommended. To maintain the county's high ease-of-growth, aim to keep your soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Low Drought Impact in Martin

The county is currently drought-free and experienced only 4 weeks of drought over the past year. This consistent moisture access is a primary driver behind the county's excellent lawn difficulty score.

The Best Grass for Martin County

Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass thrive here due to the moderate heat and steady rain. The optimal time to start new growth begins after the last spring frost, which typically occurs around April 20.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Martin County's county score?
Martin County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 67.3 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 Martin County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Martin County ranks #18 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 Martin County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Martin County is $657, with an effective tax rate of 0.77%. This earns Martin County a tax score of 55.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Martin County?
The median household income in Martin County, Kentucky is $46,185 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Martin County earns an income score of 8.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Martin County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Martin County scores 67.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #18 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Martin 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 Martin County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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