CountyScore

McCracken County

Kentucky · KY

#108 in Kentucky
66.7
County Score

County Report Card

About McCracken County, Kentucky

McCracken County beats national baseline

McCracken County's composite score of 73.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 47%, placing it well above typical U.S. county livability. This strong national positioning reflects balanced affordability and moderate tax efficiency.

Slightly below Kentucky's state average

McCracken County ranks just below Kentucky's state average composite score of 75.0, placing it in the middle range of the commonwealth's counties. The 1.4-point gap suggests fairly typical livability conditions compared to peer Kentucky communities.

Strong income with reasonable housing costs

McCracken County excels with an income score of 24.1 and median household income of $62,385, paired with a tax score of 81.6 and cost score of 80.0. Median home values of $182,900 and rents of $861 provide moderate affordability for moderate-income households.

Housing costs at the higher end

McCracken County's cost score of 80.0 ranks lowest in this cohort, with median rents of $861 and home values of $182,900 reflecting higher living expenses. While not prohibitive, these costs exceed the most affordable peer counties.

McCracken suits mainstream professional families

McCracken County works best for established professionals and families with solid middle-class incomes seeking mainstream livability. Its moderate costs and reasonable income profile create typical small-city conditions without extreme affordability or expense.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.6Cost80SafetyComing SoonHealth67.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.1Risk10.3WaterComing Soon
🏛81.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡10.3
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 McCracken County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

McIntosh County
Georgia
66.7
Median income: $50,348
Washington County
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66.7
Median income: $44,009
Montgomery County
Iowa
66.7
Median income: $63,190
Haskell County
Kansas
66.7
Median income: $69,138
Miami County
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66.7
Median income: $88,000

Deep Dives

McCracken County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McCracken County

via TaxByCounty

McCracken's rate trails national average

McCracken County's 0.734% effective tax rate is less than one-third the national median tax bill of $2,690 on a $281,900 home. With a median home value of $182,900, McCracken offers moderate property values in the region and substantially lower taxes than national norms.

McCracken slightly above Kentucky average

At 0.734%, McCracken's effective rate exceeds Kentucky's 0.719% state average by about 2%, placing it slightly above the statewide norm. The county's median tax of $1,342 runs 23% above Kentucky's $1,093 state median, reflecting higher home values.

McCracken mid-range in regional context

McCracken County's 0.734% rate clusters with Madison County (0.739%) and McCreary County (0.734%), sitting above Marion County (0.708%) and Marshall County (0.717%) but below Martin County (0.774%). The county represents a balanced middle ground regionally.

Median McCracken home pays $1,342 yearly

A typical $182,900 home in McCracken County incurs approximately $1,342 in annual property taxes, or about $112 monthly for owners without mortgages. Mortgage-related assessments push the average bill to $1,476.

McCracken homeowners can appeal assessments

Many McCracken County residents carry assessments above what comparable homes sold for recently, representing potential overpayment. Filing a no-cost appeal with the county assessor can identify overvaluation and unlock tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McCracken County

via CostByCounty

McCracken rents stress middle-class budgets

McCracken County residents spend 16.6% of income on rent—just below Kentucky's 17% average but above many peer counties—while earning $62,385 close to but still below the national $74,755. The $861 monthly rent is the region's highest, reflecting more competitive local housing.

Slightly above average housing burden

McCracken's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio edges above Kentucky's 17.0% state average, while its $861 median rent exceeds the state median of $771 by $90. This combination signals McCracken's housing is pricier relative to state norms.

Region's priciest rental market

McCracken's $861 median rent tops all neighbors—Madison ($851), Marshall ($773), Marion ($731), Mason ($724), and Martin ($441)—reflecting its larger urban center (Paducah) and stronger regional demand. Only Madison approaches these rent levels.

Ownership costs rival high rents

McCracken renters pay $861 monthly (16.6% of income) while owners spend nearly identical $851, both sums reflecting a competitive housing market. The median home value of $182,900 positions homeownership as a modest step up from renting but still substantial for a $62,385 household.

McCracken offers amenities at a price

McCracken's higher costs reflect a more developed regional economy (Paducah), so compare the $861 rent against job opportunities and services before deciding. If rural affordability matters more than urban access, Marion ($731) or Marshall ($773) offer better value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McCracken County

via IncomeByCounty

McCracken rivals top-earning Kentucky counties

McCracken County's median household income of $62,385 sits 17% below the national median of $74,755, but ranks among Kentucky's strongest earners. Per capita income of $38,598 exceeds the state average of $29,616 by 30%, the highest per capita of the eight counties.

Top-tier income performer statewide

McCracken County's median household income of $62,385 tops the state average of $55,909 by $6,476, placing it firmly in Kentucky's upper-earning tier. The county's strong per capita income signals robust wage distribution.

Western Kentucky economic anchor

McCracken County's $62,385 household income nearly matches Madison County ($62,407) and trails only Marshall County ($63,611), making it a regional economic powerhouse. It substantially outpaces Marion County ($55,404) and Mason County ($51,473) in the same areas.

Housing costs moderate despite higher values

McCracken County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% remains healthy, despite median home values of $182,900—the highest among the eight counties. Households enjoy strong purchasing power relative to housing supply.

High per capita income fuels investing opportunity

McCracken County's exceptional per capita income of $38,598 enables aggressive wealth-building through diversified investments and homeownership. Residents should maximize retirement accounts and explore real estate appreciation opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McCracken County

via HealthByCounty

McCracken County exceeds national standards

McCracken County residents live to 73.8 years on average—1.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 72.3 years. With 22.0% reporting poor or fair health—above but closer to the national average of 17.9%—McCracken demonstrates solid overall health outcomes.

Outperforms Kentucky average

McCracken County's 73.8-year life expectancy exceeds Kentucky's 72.2-year state average by 1.6 years, placing it among the state's healthier counties. The 22.0% poor/fair health rate is better than Kentucky's statewide average, consistent with its above-average ranking.

Urban advantage with strong resources

McCracken County's 73.8-year life expectancy matches Madison County and trails only Marshall, reflecting its position as a regional health hub. The real differentiator is provider density: 101 primary care providers and 320 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—double or triple most rural peer counties—thanks to Paducah's medical infrastructure.

Best-resourced county in peer group

McCracken County's 6.6% uninsured rate beats Kentucky's 7.0% average, and with 101 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in this group—most people have convenient access to doctors. The 320 mental health providers per 100K also provide abundant mental health options compared to rural alternatives.

Use your healthcare advantage well

McCracken County residents have rare access to providers and competitive insurance rates—lock in coverage now at kynect.ky.gov. Don't delay preventive care or mental health services; your access to doctors is better than most Kentucky counties, so take advantage of it for routine checkups and early intervention.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McCracken County

via RiskByCounty

McCracken faces the state's highest disaster risk

McCracken County's composite risk score of 89.66 ranks it as 'relatively moderate'—significantly above the national average of 50.19 and the highest among Kentucky's eight most at-risk counties. Earthquake risk at 97.55 is among the nation's most severe, placing McCracken in an extraordinarily precarious seismic position.

McCracken is Kentucky's riskiest county overall

McCracken's composite score of 89.66 far exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21 by more than double, making it the riskiest county in the commonwealth. Its earthquake risk of 97.55 is the highest statewide, combined with elevated tornado (85.72) and flood risks (80.41).

McCracken vastly exceeds regional peers

McCracken's score of 89.66 dwarfs all other regional counties, with even the next-riskiest neighbor, Madison (74.84), scoring 15 points lower. McCracken's earthquake risk of 97.55 stands alone—unmatched in severity by any comparable county.

Earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods converge here

McCracken faces a dangerous triad: earthquake risk at 97.55 (nearly catastrophic), tornado risk at 85.72, and flooding at 80.41. No other Kentucky county combines such severe multi-hazard exposure, making comprehensive preparedness and mitigation essential for every resident.

Invest urgently in earthquake and flood resilience

Foundation bolting, water heater bracing, and furniture anchoring are non-negotiable with earthquake risk at 97.55—engage a certified seismic retrofit specialist immediately. Obtain separate earthquake and flood insurance policies with adequate limits, maintain a secure tornado shelter, and complete a household disaster plan tailored to multi-hazard threats.

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.