CountyScore

Mercer County

Kentucky · KY

#61 in Kentucky
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Mercer County, Kentucky

Mercer Exceeds National Livability Baseline

Mercer County's composite score of 73.3 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the top half of U.S. counties. This 47% advantage reflects solid tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs.

Slightly Below Kentucky Peers

Mercer's score of 73.3 falls marginally short of Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it among the middle tier of the commonwealth's counties. The 1.7-point gap indicates competitive but not exceptional livability within the state.

Tax Relief, Moderate Housing Costs

Mercer's tax score of 79.2 and cost score of 81.1 anchor its livability, with an effective tax rate of 0.819% and median home value of $189,700. Median household income of $63,115 provides reasonable purchasing power in this market.

Lowest Income Performance

Mercer's income score of 24.6 is among the weakest in this group, suggesting wages trail regional opportunities and economic growth potential. Median gross rent of $802/month strains some households, and critical data on safety, schools, health, and environmental quality are not yet available.

For Established Homeowners

Mercer County suits established homeowners valuing tax efficiency and stable, moderate housing costs over rapid income growth. Its middling score reflects solid but unremarkable livability compared to Kentucky's broader landscape.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.2Cost81.1SafetyComing SoonHealth68.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.6Risk58.6WaterComing Soon
🏛79.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡58.6
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 Mercer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Blount County
Alabama
71
Median income: $61,096
Clarke County
Alabama
71
Median income: $49,167
Dale County
Alabama
71
Median income: $53,955
Boone County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $54,195
Hempstead County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $47,654

Deep Dives

Mercer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mercer County

via TaxByCounty

Mercer carries the region's heaviest rate

Mercer County's effective tax rate of 0.819% is the highest in this eight-county region and exceeds the national median of 0.71% by 15%. While median property taxes of $1,553 annually remain well below the national median of $2,690, the rate burden is comparatively steep.

Highest rate among Kentucky comparables

Mercer County's 0.819% rate significantly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, placing it in the upper tier of the state's property tax burden. The median annual tax of $1,553 is 42% higher than the state median of $1,093.

Top tax rate in this regional group

Mercer County's 0.819% effective rate is the highest among all eight counties examined, with Meade County at 0.711% running second. Mercer also has the highest median tax bill at $1,553, reflecting both higher rates and higher home values.

Median home costs $1,553 annually

On a median home valued at $189,700, Mercer County residents pay approximately $1,553 per year in property taxes. This amount increases to roughly $1,714 when mortgage insurance and related fees are included.

Assessment appeals could provide relief

Given Mercer County's higher tax rate, homeowners should especially consider reviewing their property assessments for accuracy. An appeal is free to file and could reduce your annual tax burden if your home is assessed above its current market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mercer County

via CostByCounty

Mercer County: solid affordability choice

Mercer County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% beats both Kentucky's state average of 17.0% and sits well within the affordable range. With a median household income of $63,115 and monthly rent at $802, Mercer offers balanced housing costs compared to national trends.

Top-tier Kentucky affordability

Mercer County ranks among Kentucky's more affordable counties with a 15.3% rent-to-income ratio, outperforming the state average of 17.0%. This places Mercer in the upper tier for housing value across the commonwealth.

Mercer competes well regionally

Mercer County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio edges out Montgomery County's 16.6% and Morgan County's 16.9%, though it trails McLean's exceptional 10.2%. At $802 monthly rent, Mercer sits between the region's cheapest and most expensive options.

Housing costs: rent vs. ownership

Renters in Mercer spend $802 monthly (15.3% of income), while homeowners carry an $848 monthly cost with a median home value of $189,700. Both rental and ownership pathways remain accessible on the $63,115 median household income.

Mercer County balances cost and value

Mercer offers solid housing affordability above the state average, with reasonable home values ($189,700) and competitive rents. It's a smart choice for relocators seeking a balance between cost, property values, and regional stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mercer County

via IncomeByCounty

Mercer moderately trails nation

Mercer County's median household income of $63,115 falls $11,640 short of the national median of $74,755—a 16% gap. While below the national average, Mercer's income level demonstrates moderate economic stability and positions the county better than many rural American regions.

Mercer ranks near Kentucky median

At $63,115, Mercer County's median household income exceeds the Kentucky state median of $55,909 by $7,206, reflecting a stronger-than-average county economy. This 13% advantage shows Mercer residents earn notably more than typical Kentuckians, despite trailing national figures.

Mercer holds middle ground

Mercer County's $63,115 income sits between wealthier McLean ($70,549) and Meade ($70,163) counties to the north and less affluent Menifee ($44,672) to the east. This positioning reflects Mercer's role as a moderately prosperous county within a region of varied economic fortunes.

Housing costs are reasonable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.3%, Mercer County residents allocate a manageable portion of earnings to housing costs, well below the national comfort threshold of 28%. The median home value of $189,700 is accessible for local households, supporting both homeownership and rental stability.

Mercer's solid income fuels savings

Mercer County's moderate-to-strong income and reasonable housing costs create opportunity for building savings and investments. Focus on employer-sponsored retirement plans, home equity accumulation, and consistent contributions to investment accounts to transform steady earnings into generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mercer County

via HealthByCounty

Mercer slightly trails national health

Mercer County's 73.4-year life expectancy sits 0.6 years below the U.S. average (74.0), while its 19.9% poor health rate is roughly in line with national patterns. The county holds a modest advantage over Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, positioning Mercer as a middle-performer regionally.

Solidly middle-ranked in Kentucky

Mercer's life expectancy and health metrics place it near Kentucky's median, neither among the state's healthiest nor most vulnerable counties. The 6.5% uninsured rate slightly beats the state average of 7.0%, reflecting reasonably broad insurance access.

Steady performer among rural peers

Mercer's 73.4-year life expectancy sits between McLean (74.5) and Metcalfe (71.8), with 26 primary care providers and 130 mental health providers per 100,000—solid mid-range figures for rural Kentucky. The county maintains stable health profiles without the extremes seen in better-performing or struggling neighbors.

Consistent care availability, room to grow

Mercer offers 26 primary care providers and 130 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, supporting ongoing care for its 6.5% uninsured population. These moderate access levels match the county's middle-tier life expectancy, suggesting care capacity aligns with current demand.

Keep your health coverage current

With stable healthcare infrastructure in place, consistent insurance coverage helps Mercer residents maximize available services. If you lack coverage or need to update your plan, kynect.ky.gov offers fast enrollment in Medicaid and marketplace options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mercer County

via RiskByCounty

Mercer sits below national risk average

Mercer County's 41.41 composite risk score places it comfortably below the national average as Very Low risk. The county's hazard profile remains generally manageable across all disaster categories.

Slightly below Kentucky's mean

At 41.41, Mercer scores just below Kentucky's 44.21 average, positioning the county in the safer half statewide. This proximity to the state mean reflects relatively balanced hazard exposure.

High tornado risk among peers

Mercer's tornado risk of 69.12 trails only Meade County (75.92) in the immediate region, making severe weather the defining local threat. Flood (53.31) and earthquake (58.40) risks remain secondary but noteworthy concerns.

Tornado dominates Mercer's hazard profile

Tornado risk at 69.12 is Mercer's primary concern, significantly exceeding wildfire (11.01) and flood (53.31) threats. Earthquake risk of 58.40 adds moderate concern but poses less immediate danger than severe weather.

Wind and flood coverage essential

Confirm your homeowners policy includes comprehensive wind and hail protection, as tornado danger is substantial in Mercer. Add flood insurance if your property is within a mapped floodplain or historic flood zone.

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.