CountyScore

Nicholas County

Kentucky · KY

#5 in Kentucky
75
County Score

County Report Card

About Nicholas County, Kentucky

Outstanding Value Among U.S. Counties

Nicholas County's composite score of 78.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by more than 56%, ranking it among America's most livable smaller counties. Exceptional affordability and minimal taxes drive this strong performance.

Top Tier in Kentucky

At 78.3, Nicholas County ranks notably above Kentucky's 75.0 state average, placing it in the upper tier of the state's most livable counties. It ties with Owsley County for some of the best affordability metrics in the region.

The Most Affordable Option Here

Nicholas County leads this group with a cost score of 87.2 and median home values of just $119,600, paired with $654 monthly rents. Its 0.568% effective tax rate—the lowest in this cohort—produces a tax score of 86.3.

Low Incomes Offset Low Costs

The income score of 18.4 reflects median household income of just $53,616, limiting economic mobility for residents. Absence of safety, health, and school data means potential movers need to investigate these factors independently.

Prime for Retirees on Fixed Income

Nicholas County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and cost-conscious families who can afford to live on limited incomes. The combination of rock-bottom housing costs and minimal taxes creates exceptional value for those not dependent on local wages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.3Cost87.2SafetyComing SoonHealth64.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.4Risk81WaterComing Soon
🏛86.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡81
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 Nicholas County with another county →

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Stillwater County
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Deep Dives

Nicholas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Nicholas County

via TaxByCounty

Nicholas County: lowest-taxed in comparison

With an effective tax rate of 0.568%, Nicholas County ranks among the lowest-taxed counties nationally, placing it in approximately the 10th percentile. At $679 annually on a median home value of $119,600, Nicholas residents benefit from significantly lower property taxes than the national median of $2,690.

Kentucky's lowest-taxed county grouping

Nicholas County's 0.568% effective rate is the lowest among all eight profiled counties and well below Kentucky's state average of 0.719%. The median property tax of $679 is less than two-thirds of the state median of $1,093.

Clear tax advantage over all neighbors

Nicholas County's 0.568% rate is substantially lower than every comparable county: Muhlenberg (0.694%), Owen (0.746%), Pendleton (0.775%), Nelson (0.795%), and Oldham (0.921%). This makes Nicholas one of the most tax-friendly communities in the region.

Minimal annual tax on median home

A median-valued home of $119,600 in Nicholas County costs just $679 annually in property taxes. This translates to approximately $919 when all mortgage-related taxes are included.

Even low-tax counties merit appeals

Despite Nicholas County's favorable tax environment, homeowners should still verify their assessed values are accurate and current. Property tax appeals are free or low-cost and can provide additional savings even in already-affordable counties.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Nicholas County

via CostByCounty

Nicholas County Offers Stellar Housing Deals

Nicholas County boasts Kentucky's best rent-to-income ratio at just 14.6%, sitting well below both the state average (17.0%) and typical national thresholds. Renters here spend only $654 monthly—nearly $120 less than state average—despite earning $53,616 annually.

Best Affordability in the State

Nicholas County consistently ranks among Kentucky's most affordable places to rent, offering the kind of housing cost relief that's increasingly rare across the region. For renters and homebuyers both, Nicholas delivers exceptional value.

Nicholas Undercuts Regional Competition

Nicholas County's $654 monthly rent is the lowest in its peer group, edging out Muhlenberg ($712), Owen County ($775), and Ohio County ($774) by substantial margins. Home values mirror this affordability advantage at $119,600, nearly matching Muhlenberg and undercutting all other regional neighbors.

Maximum Wiggle Room on Tight Budget

With $53,616 median income, Nicholas County residents allocate just 14.6% to rent and 14.2% to mortgage costs—the lowest burden among these eight counties. This leaves nearly 70% of income for food, utilities, childcare, healthcare, and savings.

Budget Relocators, Meet Nicholas County

If you're moving on a tight budget or building wealth from modest earnings, Nicholas County's ultra-low housing costs offer genuine financial breathing room. Renters can lock in $650 monthly leases while homebuyers find median properties under $120,000—rare finds in Kentucky.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nicholas County

via IncomeByCounty

Nicholas County falls behind national earnings

Nicholas County's median household income of $53,616 lags the national median of $74,755 by $21,139, representing a 28% gap. This significant shortfall places Nicholas well below the national norm and reflects limited high-wage opportunities. The county ranks in the lower third nationally for household earnings.

Slightly below Kentucky state average

At $53,616, Nicholas County trails Kentucky's state median of $55,909 by just $2,293, placing it near but below the state middle. The county's per capita income of $24,672 substantially underperforms the state average of $29,616 by 17%, suggesting wealth concentration or fewer high earners. Nicholas sits in the lower-middle tier statewide.

Mid-range income among nearby counties

Nicholas ($53,616) earns more than Owsley ($31,064) but less than Owen ($59,706) and Pendleton ($66,601), placing it in the middle of this regional grouping. The $6,090 gap with Owen and $13,000 gap with Pendleton suggest neighboring areas offer better earning opportunities. Regional income variation reflects different industry bases and development levels.

Housing costs are well-managed

Nicholas County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% is among the lowest in this regional group, indicating excellent housing affordability. The median home value of $119,600 remains comfortably within reach for the median household earning $53,616. Housing stability provides a foundation despite moderate overall income levels.

Capitalize on affordable housing advantage

Nicholas County residents benefit from low housing costs that free up income for savings and investments relative to national averages. Building equity through homeownership and consistently funding retirement accounts can help households offset modest earnings growth. Local credit unions and community banks offer tailored financial planning services.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Nicholas County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy near national baseline

Nicholas County residents live to 72.7 years, just 1.3 years above the U.S. average of 71.4 years. However, nearly one in four residents report poor or fair health at 23.8%, signaling significant underlying health burden.

Slightly above state average, struggling with providers

Nicholas County's 72.7-year life expectancy edges out Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, but the uninsured rate of 7.1% slightly exceeds the state's 7.0% average. Most concerning: the county has only 13 primary care providers per 100K, less than half the state's implied adequacy.

Primary care shortage stands out regionally

Nicholas County's 13 primary care providers per 100K is the lowest in this eight-county comparison, trailing Muhlenberg County's 33 and Nelson County's 53. This provider scarcity likely contributes to the county's elevated poor/fair health rate of 23.8%.

Limited provider access complicates daily care

While the uninsured rate of 7.1% is close to the state average, Nicholas County's critical shortfall is provider availability: only 13 primary care providers per 100K means residents may travel far for routine care. The 39 mental health providers per 100K also lags peer counties significantly.

Get covered, then find your provider

Nicholas County residents should prioritize healthcare.gov enrollment to ensure coverage, then work with local health departments to locate available providers. In underserved areas, telehealth and regional medical centers often bridge the gap when local primary care is limited.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Nicholas County

via RiskByCounty

Nicholas County enjoys very low risk

With a composite risk score of just 18.99, Nicholas County ranks among the safest counties in the nation, significantly below Kentucky's state average of 44.21. The county's minimal wildfire risk (2.29) and moderate exposure to other hazards make it a low-stress environment for disaster planning.

Kentucky's safer counties

Nicholas County's 18.99 composite score ranks it in Kentucky's lowest-risk tier, placing it well below the state average of 44.21. Only counties like Owen (15.20) and Owsley (6.39) demonstrate comparably low overall hazard exposure across the commonwealth.

Well below regional risk averages

Nicholas County's low 18.99 score contrasts sharply with elevated-risk neighbors like Nelson County (55.18) and Ohio County (54.17) to the south and west. The county's favorable position reflects its insulation from major flood zones and seismic hot spots affecting surrounding areas.

Modest tornado risk only real concern

Nicholas County's primary hazard is tornado exposure (35.69), which remains well below statewide averages and poses manageable risk with proper preparation. Flood (41.35) and earthquake (38.55) risks are present but modest, while wildfire (2.29) is virtually negligible.

Standard insurance covers most needs

Standard homeowners insurance adequately protects Nicholas County residents against the county's minimal hazard exposure. A safe room or basement shelter to ride out the occasional tornado, combined with regular home maintenance, provides solid protection for this very-low-risk county.

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.