Morgan County's composite score of 75.9 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 52% advantage demonstrates solid affordability and favorable tax conditions.
2 / 5
Competitive Within Kentucky
Morgan's score of 75.9 marginally exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, making it one of the commonwealth's more livable counties. Its 0.9-point edge indicates performance at or slightly above state norms.
3 / 5
Low Costs, Reasonable Taxes
Morgan's cost score of 87.4 and tax score of 81.0 anchor its livability, with an effective tax rate of 0.757%, median home value of $106,000, and rent of $670/month. These figures create genuine affordability for households earning the median of $47,493.
4 / 5
Limited Income Opportunities
Morgan's income score of 14.4 is among the lowest in this group, with median household income of $47,493 indicating limited wage growth and economic opportunity. Lack of data on safety, health, schools, and water quality prevents comprehensive livability assessment beyond housing costs.
5 / 5
Great for Low-Cost Living
Morgan County suits budget-conscious families, retirees, and remote workers prioritizing minimal housing costs and taxes. Its strong composite score masks limited local income potential, making it ideal for those with external or stable income sources.
Morgan County's composite score of 75.9 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 52% advantage demonstrates solid affordability and favorable tax conditions.
Competitive Within Kentucky
Morgan's score of 75.9 marginally exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, making it one of the commonwealth's more livable counties. Its 0.9-point edge indicates performance at or slightly above state norms.
Low Costs, Reasonable Taxes
Morgan's cost score of 87.4 and tax score of 81.0 anchor its livability, with an effective tax rate of 0.757%, median home value of $106,000, and rent of $670/month. These figures create genuine affordability for households earning the median of $47,493.
Limited Income Opportunities
Morgan's income score of 14.4 is among the lowest in this group, with median household income of $47,493 indicating limited wage growth and economic opportunity. Lack of data on safety, health, schools, and water quality prevents comprehensive livability assessment beyond housing costs.
Great for Low-Cost Living
Morgan County suits budget-conscious families, retirees, and remote workers prioritizing minimal housing costs and taxes. Its strong composite score masks limited local income potential, making it ideal for those with external or stable income sources.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Morgan County's effective tax rate of 0.757% runs 7% above the national median of 0.71%, indicating a slightly heavier tax burden than typical. Median property taxes of $802 annually represent just 30% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's lower home values.
Above average for Kentucky
Morgan County's rate of 0.757% exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, placing it in the upper portion of the state's tax burden spectrum. The median annual tax of $802 is about 27% below the state median of $1,093, due to Morgan's lower median home value.
Fifth-highest rate among the eight
Morgan County's 0.757% rate ranks fifth in this eight-county regional comparison, trailing Mercer (0.819%), Monroe (0.767%), and Montgomery (0.746%). Despite the above-average rate, its median tax bill of $802 is among the lowest in the group due to lower home values.
Median home costs $802 annually
On a median home valued at $106,000, Morgan County residents pay approximately $802 per year in property taxes. This amount reaches about $988 annually when mortgage insurance and related fees are included.
Appeal if your home seems overvalued
Morgan County homeowners should double-check their property assessments against recent comparable home sales to ensure accuracy. Filing an appeal with the county assessor is free and could reduce your annual tax bill if your home is assessed above its true market value.
Morgan County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% sits just below Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, reflecting affordability pressures that match most of the state. Renters pay $670 monthly on a median household income of $47,493, the region's lowest income level.
Below-average Kentucky incomes
Morgan County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio nearly matches the state average, but the county's median household income of $47,493 is among Kentucky's lowest. This means housing costs consume typical shares of income, but on smaller paychecks.
Morgan rents moderate, incomes low
Morgan's $670 rent is reasonable compared to regional options, but the $47,493 median income is the lowest among nearby counties, matching Metcalfe's struggles. This creates an affordability ratio of 16.9%—typical statewide, but on the tightest budget.
Housing costs: rent vs. ownership
Renters in Morgan pay $670 monthly (16.9% of income), while homeowners spend $596 monthly with a median home value of $106,000. Ownership is noticeably cheaper than renting here, reflecting Morgan's rural character and lower demand.
Morgan County: budget-conscious relocation
Morgan offers low housing costs and affordable ownership options, but factor in that median incomes here are among Kentucky's lowest. It works for relocators with secure, portable income; otherwise, explore neighboring counties with stronger employment bases.
Morgan County's median household income of $47,493 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by $27,262—a substantial 36% shortfall. This significant gap places Morgan among America's lower-income counties and reflects limited economic opportunities and reduced wage earning power.
Morgan trails Kentucky median
At $47,493, Morgan County's median household income falls $8,416 below the Kentucky state median of $55,909. This 15% deficit indicates Morgan residents earn meaningfully less than most other Kentuckians, signaling local economic challenges requiring attention.
Morgan among lowest in region
Morgan County's $47,493 median household income ranks among the region's weakest, well below Mercer County ($63,115) and only slightly above Metcalfe County ($48,572). The county's economic position reflects broader challenges affecting rural central Kentucky.
Housing costs are favorable
Morgan County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% represents a reasonable housing cost burden, though tight household budgets limit flexibility. The median home value of $106,000 is among the region's lowest, providing homeownership accessibility despite constrained income.
Start with emergency savings
Morgan County residents facing limited incomes should prioritize building three months of emergency savings before investing. Explore employer retirement plans, free financial counseling, and education programs that can increase earning potential and create pathways to financial stability.
Morgan County's 73.0-year life expectancy falls 1.0 year short of the U.S. average (74.0), while its 27.8% poor health rate ranks among the highest in the nation. These metrics place Morgan firmly in the challenged category, with over one in four residents reporting serious health concerns.
Among Kentucky's unhealthiest counties
Morgan's 27.8% poor health rate is alarming even by Kentucky standards, where health challenges run deep in rural communities. The 8.6% uninsured rate ties with Monroe for the highest in this dataset, exceeding Kentucky's average of 7.0% and directly undermining care access.
Worst health outcomes, fewest doctors
Morgan's 73.0-year life expectancy and 27.8% poor health rate represent the worst outcomes in this east-Kentucky region, while its 7 primary care providers per 100,000 is by far the lowest density of any county analyzed. With 245 mental health providers per 100,000, Morgan has respectable psychiatric capacity, but the severe primary care shortage likely drives preventable crises.
Critical primary care shortage threatens health
Morgan's 7 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a severe shortage compared to regional and state norms—forces residents to rely on emergency rooms for routine care. The 8.6% uninsured rate compounds this crisis: one in 12 residents lacks coverage and faces catastrophic financial consequences for needed care.
Coverage is urgent in Morgan County
With Morgan's acute primary care shortage and elevated uninsured rate, securing health insurance is literally lifesaving—it prevents medical bankruptcy and enables access to the county's available providers. Call 1-855-4-KY-HEALTH or visit kynect.ky.gov immediately to explore Medicaid and financial assistance options.
Morgan County's composite risk score of 22.07 sits well below the national average, earning a Very Low rating. The county's natural hazard exposure remains minimal across most disaster types.
Substantially safer than Kentucky average
At 22.07, Morgan scores roughly half the state average of 44.21, making it one of Kentucky's genuinely safe counties. This significant protective advantage reflects favorable geography and low hazard concentration.
Among region's safest communities
Morgan's 22.07 ranks it second only to Menifee (6.20) in the immediate area, creating a pocket of exceptional safety. Nearby Metcalfe (21.79) offers similar protection, establishing a truly low-risk region.
Wildfire emerges as chief concern
Wildfire risk scores 70.93 in Morgan—the county's standout hazard and among Kentucky's highest—though forest management limits real-world impact. Hurricane (37.42), flood (45.71), and tornado (29.64) risks remain well below state benchmarks.
Focus on wildfire prevention
Maintain defensible space around your home by clearing brush and dead trees, given Morgan's elevated wildfire risk. Standard homeowners insurance will cover most other natural hazards, and flood insurance is optional unless you're near water features.