CountyScore

Owen County

Kentucky · KY

#23 in Kentucky
73.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Owen County, Kentucky

Solid National Livability Standing

Owen County scores 74.9, nearly 50% above the national median of 50.0, indicating strong overall livability for a rural Kentucky county. Balanced affordability and moderate taxes support reliable quality of life for residents.

Right at Kentucky's State Average

At 74.9, Owen County essentially matches the state average of 75.0, placing it squarely in the middle of Kentucky's county performance. The score reflects reliable, consistent strengths in cost and tax dimensions.

Dependable Affordability and Low Taxes

Owen County scores 83.3 on cost with median home values of $165,000 and $775 monthly rents, offering solid affordability. A 0.746% effective tax rate delivers an 81.3 tax score, supporting overall economic value.

Moderate Income Levels Restrict Growth

The income score of 22.4 reflects median household income of $59,706, above some peers but still modest for building wealth. Absence of safety, health, and school data leaves important livability questions unanswered.

Balanced Choice for Steady Families

Owen County suits families seeking stability and moderate cost of living without extreme affordability or premium pricing. The balanced profile appeals to those wanting small-town character with reasonable economic fundamentals.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.3Cost83.3SafetyComing SoonHealth64.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.4Risk84.8WaterComing Soon
🏛81.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡84.8
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 Owen County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Moffat County
Colorado
73.1
Median income: $70,975
Twiggs County
Georgia
73.1
Median income: $55,439
Benton County
Indiana
73.1
Median income: $61,811
Kiowa County
Kansas
73.1
Median income: $73,214
Franklin Parish
Louisiana
73.1
Median income: $44,103

Deep Dives

Owen County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Owen County

via TaxByCounty

Owen County moderately below national rate

Owen County's effective tax rate of 0.746% sits slightly below the national median of 0.88%, placing it in approximately the 40th percentile nationally. At $1,231 in median annual property taxes on a $165,000 home, Owen residents pay less than half the national median tax of $2,690.

Slightly above Kentucky's average

Owen County's 0.746% rate edges above Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, placing it slightly above the middle of the state's tax spectrum. The median property tax of $1,231 exceeds the state median by $138, reflecting moderate-above-average tax burden.

Middle ground among comparable counties

Owen County's 0.746% rate places it between lower-taxed peers like Nicholas (0.568%) and Ohio (0.613%), and higher-taxed neighbors like Pendleton (0.775%) and Nelson (0.795%). The county offers moderate tax positioning within the regional landscape.

Owen homeowner median annual cost

A median-valued home of $165,000 in Owen County generates $1,231 in annual property taxes. When mortgage-related assessments are included, total annual obligations reach approximately $1,348.

Owen County appeals worth investigating

With moderate-to-above-average tax rates, many Owen County homeowners may be overassessed relative to comparable properties. A property tax appeal is free to file and can uncover savings if your home's assessed value exceeds fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Owen County

via CostByCounty

Owen County Offers Sound Affordability

Owen County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below Kentucky's 17.0% state average, while monthly rent of $775 runs nearly $1 above the state median. At $59,706 annual income, Owen residents earn above most rural Kentucky counties, allowing them to carry housing costs efficiently.

Upper-Half Affordability in Kentucky

Owen County ranks in Kentucky's upper half for housing affordability, combining moderate incomes with restrained rents to produce a favorable rent-to-income ratio. The county's 15.6% burden puts residents in stronger position than the statewide average.

Owen Balances Rent and Neighborhood Value

Owen's $775 monthly rent matches Nicholas County's ($654) affordability advantage while exceeding Nicholas in median home value ($165,000 vs. $119,600), suggesting stronger property appreciation potential. Compared to Pendleton ($800) and Ohio County ($774), Owen offers competitive pricing in a stable market.

Balanced Housing Investment

At $59,706 annual income, Owen residents allocate about 15.6% to rent and 14.8% to mortgage costs—both well below problematic thresholds. This leaves substantial room for savings, transportation, childcare, and emergency funds.

Owen Suits Families Seeking Stability

If you're relocating with modest-to-moderate income and prioritize stability over urban amenities, Owen County delivers good value with reasonable rents and achievable homeownership. Your housing costs will likely shrink relative to income, freeing funds for family needs and long-term building.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Owen County

via IncomeByCounty

Owen County earns above state average

Owen County's median household income of $59,706 trails the national median of $74,755 by $15,049, a 20% gap that's narrower than most Kentucky counties. This income level exceeds Kentucky's state average of $55,909 by $3,797, positioning Owen above typical state earnings. Owen ranks in the middle range nationally for household income.

Upper-middle earner in Kentucky

At $59,706, Owen County beats Kentucky's state median of $55,909 and exceeds roughly 60% of state counties. The per capita income of $30,071 also exceeds the state average of $29,616 by 1.5%, indicating relatively balanced wealth distribution. Owen ranks comfortably in the upper-middle tier statewide.

Strong earner in regional context

Owen ($59,706) outearns Muhlenberg ($52,672), Nicholas ($53,616), and Ohio County ($54,369) by $6,000-$7,000 each, but trails Nelson ($67,888) and Pendleton ($66,601). The $7,182 gap with Nelson suggests neighboring areas offer slightly better opportunities, likely due to proximity to larger employment centers. Owen still maintains respectable income standing regionally.

Housing remains comfortably affordable

Owen County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% indicates households dedicate well under one-sixth of income to rent, meeting affordability standards. The median home value of $165,000 is reasonable relative to the $59,706 household income level. Housing costs allow meaningful budget room for savings and other needs.

Solid foundation for long-term investing

Owen County households earning $59,706 have sufficient breathing room to balance immediate expenses with long-term wealth building. Establishing automated retirement contributions and a modest investment portfolio creates compound growth potential over decades. Financial advisors recommend Owen residents lock in employer matches and diversify beyond home equity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Owen County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly below national average

Owen County residents average 72.6 years, just 1.2 years above the U.S. average of 71.4 years. Nearly one in four residents report poor or fair health at 22.9%, indicating significant health challenges despite modest life expectancy.

Tracking Kentucky's state average closely

Owen County's 72.6-year life expectancy nearly matches Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, while its 7.6% uninsured rate exceeds the state's 7.0% average. This slight coverage disadvantage may contribute to the county's elevated poor/fair health rate.

Mid-range challenges with uninsured rate

Owen County's 22.9% poor/fair health rate ties with Pendleton County as relatively high, and its 7.6% uninsured rate ranks second-worst among the eight counties. Provider density at 35 primary care and 53 mental health per 100K is moderate but adequate.

Coverage gaps and modest provider access

Owen County's 7.6% uninsured rate leaves about 1 in 13 residents without insurance, above the state average and limiting routine care access. With 35 primary care providers per 100K, the county offers moderate capacity, but the uninsured population likely delays seeking needed care.

Close coverage gaps in Owen County

Owen County residents without insurance should visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid expansion and marketplace plans, many offering affordable or free coverage. Enrolling ensures access to preventive care that can reduce the 22.9% poor/fair health rate.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Owen County

via RiskByCounty

Owen County ranks among nation's safest

Owen County scores just 15.20 on the composite risk scale—among the lowest in the nation—and dramatically underperforms Kentucky's state average of 44.21. The county's minimal exposure to wildfire (5.63), earthquake (32.76), and other major hazards makes it one of America's safest communities for disaster risk.

Kentucky's safest counties

Owen County's 15.20 composite score ranks it in Kentucky's very-low-risk tier, alongside only Owen (15.20), Owsley (6.39), and Pendleton (29.90) as the commonwealth's safest counties. The county sits nearly 30 points below the state average, reflecting exceptionally low multi-hazard exposure.

Far safer than surrounding areas

Owen County's 15.20 score contrasts starkly with higher-risk neighbors Nelson (55.18), Ohio (54.17), and Oldham (55.98), positioning it as a relative safety zone. Nearby Pendleton (29.90) also ranks safer than its western neighbors, but Owen remains the regional standout for low disaster risk.

Tornadoes present modest concern

Owen County's only moderate hazard is tornado risk (50.60), which remains well below state and national averages despite being the county's highest-scoring threat. All other hazards—flood (30.85), earthquake (32.76), wildfire (5.63)—rank well below dangerous levels, making Owen exceptionally safe overall.

Basic insurance and planning suffice

Standard homeowners insurance covers Owen County's minimal disaster exposures, and residents need only maintain basic tornado awareness and a simple family communication plan. The county's very-low-risk profile means disaster preparation remains straightforward and inexpensive compared to higher-hazard areas.

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.