Mason County's composite score of 76.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 52%, ranking it firmly in America's upper livability tier. This strong positioning reflects exceptional tax efficiency and solid housing affordability.
2 / 5
Above-average Kentucky county
Mason County ranks above Kentucky's state average composite score of 75.0 by 1.1 points, placing it in the better half of the commonwealth's counties. This slightly elevated position indicates stronger-than-typical Kentucky livability.
3 / 5
Best-in-class tax burden and fair costs
Mason County leads this cohort with the lowest tax score of 84.4 and lowest effective tax rate of 0.634%, combined with a cost score of 84.7 and median home values of $157,500. This exceptional tax advantage creates genuine savings for homeowners and businesses alike.
4 / 5
Income opportunities remain modest locally
Mason County's income score of 17.0 reflects a median household income of $51,473, indicating limited local wage growth and career advancement. Economic development focused on higher-skill employment would strengthen the county's overall profile.
Mason County appeals to families and retirees prioritizing the lowest possible tax burden and seeking moderate housing costs. Its exceptional fiscal climate makes it ideal for those who value financial efficiency and wish to maximize take-home income.
Mason County's composite score of 76.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 52%, ranking it firmly in America's upper livability tier. This strong positioning reflects exceptional tax efficiency and solid housing affordability.
Above-average Kentucky county
Mason County ranks above Kentucky's state average composite score of 75.0 by 1.1 points, placing it in the better half of the commonwealth's counties. This slightly elevated position indicates stronger-than-typical Kentucky livability.
Best-in-class tax burden and fair costs
Mason County leads this cohort with the lowest tax score of 84.4 and lowest effective tax rate of 0.634%, combined with a cost score of 84.7 and median home values of $157,500. This exceptional tax advantage creates genuine savings for homeowners and businesses alike.
Income opportunities remain modest locally
Mason County's income score of 17.0 reflects a median household income of $51,473, indicating limited local wage growth and career advancement. Economic development focused on higher-skill employment would strengthen the county's overall profile.
Mason County appeals to families and retirees prioritizing the lowest possible tax burden and seeking moderate housing costs. Its exceptional fiscal climate makes it ideal for those who value financial efficiency and wish to maximize take-home income.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Mason County's 0.634% effective tax rate is less than one-quarter the national median tax bill of $2,690 on a $281,900 home, making it exceptionally tax-friendly by national standards. With a median home value of $157,500, Mason combines low rates with modest property values.
Mason lowest-rate county in Kentucky group
At 0.634%, Mason County boasts the lowest effective tax rate of any county in this analysis, falling 12% below Kentucky's 0.719% state average. The $998 median tax bill runs 9% above the state median of $1,093 despite the lowest tax rate.
Mason lowest by far among peers
Mason County's 0.634% rate decisively undercuts all regional neighbors: Marion County (0.708%), Magoffin County (0.728%), Marshall County (0.717%), Madison County (0.739%), McCracken County (0.734%), and Martin County (0.774%). Mason is the region's tax haven.
Median Mason home costs $998 annually
A typical $157,500 home in Mason County generates approximately $998 in yearly property taxes, or about $83 monthly for owners without mortgages. Mortgage-inclusive assessments bring the total to roughly $1,241.
Even Mason County has overpayment risk
Mason County's low rates don't guarantee fair assessments; homeowners still face potential overvaluation relative to recent market comparables. A simple appeal with the county assessor can verify whether your property is correctly valued and recover any overpayment.
Mason County residents spend 16.9% of income on rent, matching nearly exactly Kentucky's 17.0% state average while earning $51,473—well below the national median of $74,755. This alignment suggests Mason follows typical state housing pressures.
Square with Kentucky's average
Mason County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio sits virtually at Kentucky's 17.0% state average, placing it in the middle tier of county affordability. The $724 median rent slightly exceeds Kentucky's $771 median, offset by below-average household income.
Mid-range costs, mid-range income
Mason's $51,473 median income ranks lower than Marshall ($63,611) or Madison ($62,407) but exceeds Martin ($46,185) and Magoffin ($33,632). The $724 rent reflects this middle position within the region.
Rent and ownership near parity
Mason renters spend $724 monthly (16.9% of income) while owners pay $712, both amounts consuming similar budget shares from the $51,473 median household income. The median home value of $157,500 requires meaningful savings but remains within reach for working families.
Mason offers typical Kentucky value
Mason provides a straightforward regional option without extreme affordability or cost premiums, but also without standout advantages over Marion or Marshall. If you're scanning the region, Marion ($731 rent, 15.8% ratio) edges Mason on pure affordability metrics.
Mason County's median household income of $51,473 trails the national median of $74,755 by 31%, typical of rural Kentucky communities. Per capita income of $33,031 exceeds the state average of $29,616 by 11%, showing concentrated earning potential.
Below-average but respectable statewide
Mason County's median household income of $51,473 falls $4,436 below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, placing it in the lower-middle tier. The county shows moderate economic capacity relative to state norms.
Mid-range performer regionally
Mason County's $51,473 income ranks ahead of Martin County ($46,185) and below Marion County ($55,404) and Marshall County ($63,611) in central Kentucky. It reflects average conditions for smaller counties in the region.
Housing costs edge toward stress threshold
Mason County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% approaches the federal affordability concern zone, indicating modest housing pressure. With median home values at $157,500, homeownership becomes feasible but requires careful household budgeting.
Balanced budget enables gradual wealth building
Mason County households should prioritize reducing housing-cost burden and establish consistent savings habits to build equity. Local residents can leverage stable homeownership costs to invest in retirement and education—keys to long-term prosperity.
At 72.2 years, Mason County's life expectancy equals Kentucky's state average but falls slightly below the U.S. average of 72.3 years. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.5%) report poor or fair health, above the national average of 17.9%, indicating a population managing significant chronic disease.
Exactly average for Kentucky
Mason County's 72.2-year life expectancy matches Kentucky's state average precisely, placing it at the median for the state. The 24.5% poor/fair health rate is above Kentucky's statewide average, suggesting Mason residents live to an average age but with more chronic disease burden.
Middle performer, mental health leader
Mason County's 72.2-year life expectancy sits in the middle of its peer group—above Magoffin and Martin but below Marshall and Madison. What sets Mason apart dramatically is mental health resources: 493 providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding any neighboring county and among the highest statewide.
Adequate coverage with exceptional mental health care
Mason County's 7.3% uninsured rate is slightly above Kentucky's 7.0%, but coverage access is reasonable. The county's standout strength is mental health: 493 providers per 100,000 residents means residents facing depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder have abundant access to care—a rare advantage in rural Kentucky.
Leverage your mental health advantage
Mason County's exceptional mental health provider network is a community asset—use it. Visit kynect.ky.gov to ensure you're covered, then don't hesitate to seek mental health services; Mason residents have easier access to therapists and psychiatrists than most of Kentucky.
Mason County's composite risk score of 39.19 places it in the 'very low' category, substantially below the national average of 50.19. Wildfire risk is exceptionally minimal at 6.55—among the lowest in the nation—making Mason one of Kentucky's safest overall counties.
Mason ranks among Kentucky's safest counties
Mason's composite score of 39.19 falls below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, positioning it as one of the commonwealth's lower-risk areas. The county's negligible wildfire risk of 6.55 is a standout—the lowest among its regional peers.
Mason is safer than Madison but comparable to Marion
Mason's score of 39.19 closely mirrors nearby Marion County (30.22) while being substantially lower than Madison County (74.84). Both Mason and Marion offer residents well-below-average disaster risk, making them among the state's most favorable locations.
Tornadoes and flooding pose modest concerns
Tornado risk at 57.86 is Mason's highest hazard, though it remains below state averages for that threat. Flooding (56.17) is a secondary concern during seasonal wet periods, while wildfire exposure is negligible.
Maintain basic tornado and flood preparedness
Despite low overall risk, ensure you have a tornado safe room or basement shelter for severe weather season and keep gutters clear to manage seasonal drainage. Standard homeowner's insurance adequately covers tornado damage, but consider flood coverage if you're in a mapped floodplain.