CountyScore

Perry County

Kentucky · KY

#109 in Kentucky
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Perry County, Kentucky

Perry County: 50% Above National Median

Perry County's composite score of 75.2 towers 50 percentage points above the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties. This strong national showing reflects affordability and tax advantages that many American families struggle to find.

Holding Its Own in Kentucky

Perry County's 75.2 score sits just slightly above Kentucky's state average of 75.0, making it an average performer by state standards. While not an outlier, the county matches the typical livability profile of rural Appalachian Kentucky.

Affordable Living Anchors Perry

Perry County excels in cost (85.8) and tax efficiency (81.8), with a median home value of just $90,700 and an effective tax rate of 0.729%. Renters benefit too, with a median gross rent of $795 per month—well below national norms.

Income Growth Lags Behind

The county's income score of 12.9 reveals a significant weakness: the median household income of $45,261 trails state and national averages substantially. Safety, health, school quality, and water data remain unavailable, leaving important livability dimensions unmeasured.

Best for Cost-Conscious Retirees

Perry County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over wage growth and urban services. Its strength in housing costs makes it attractive to those with fixed incomes or remote work, though job seekers may find limited economic opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.8Cost85.8SafetyComing SoonHealth56.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.9Risk26.8WaterComing Soon
🏛81.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.8
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 Perry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Broomfield County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $121,025
Pueblo County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $62,250
Coffee County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $50,175
Wayne County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $49,562
Tippecanoe County
Indiana
66.6
Median income: $58,622

Deep Dives

Perry County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Perry County

via TaxByCounty

Perry County taxes far below national average

Perry County's effective tax rate of 0.729% is less than one-third the national median effective rate of roughly 0.9%, placing the county in the bottom quartile nationally. Homeowners here pay a median of $661 annually in property taxes, compared to the national median of $2,690—a difference of over $2,000 per year.

Slightly above Kentucky's statewide average

Perry County's 0.729% effective rate ranks just above Kentucky's statewide average of 0.719%, putting it roughly in the middle of the state's tax burden. The county's median property tax of $661 falls well below the state average of $1,093, reflecting lower home values rather than higher rates.

Perry County competitive with eastern neighbors

Perry County's 0.729% rate sits between Pike County (0.727%) and Powell County (0.582%) in the eastern coalfield region. Despite similar rates, Perry homeowners pay less annually ($661) than Pike County residents ($758) due to lower median home values of $90,700 versus $104,200.

What Perry County homeowners actually pay

On the median home value of $90,700, Perry County homeowners pay approximately $661 in annual property taxes. If financed with a mortgage, total tax obligations rise to around $945 when including applicable fees and assessments.

Many Perry County homeowners overpay

Reassessments happen regularly, but outdated valuations can inflate tax bills significantly. Perry County homeowners should review their assessments and consider filing an appeal if their property value seems inflated compared to recent sales in their area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Perry County

via CostByCounty

Perry County rents eat bigger slice of income

Renters in Perry County spend 21.1% of their income on housing, compared to the national average of roughly 18%. While close to the national norm, this gap widens when you consider Perry's median household income of $45,261—nearly $30,000 below the nation's $74,755 average, making every rent dollar stretch thinner.

Above average housing burden statewide

Perry County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% ranks above Kentucky's average of 17%, placing it among the state's less affordable counties for renters. The county's median rent of $795 runs slightly higher than Kentucky's state average of $771, compounding the affordability challenge.

Perry stands middle ground regionally

Perry County's $795 monthly rent falls between nearby Rockcastle County ($678) and Pike County ($837), though Perry's household income of $45,261 puts it closer to Pike's struggling renters. Among its eastern Kentucky peers, Perry occupies a tighter middle position on the affordability spectrum.

Housing claims over one-fifth of income

Perry renters pay $795 monthly while homeowners carry a $548 mortgage—a roughly 2-to-1 ratio favoring ownership. With median household income at $45,261 annually, renters dedicate 21.1% of gross income to housing, while homeowners spend about 14.6%, reflecting Kentucky's traditional ownership advantage.

Homeownership offers Perry affordability relief

If you're priced out of renting in Perry, homeownership becomes more viable: median home values sit at $90,700 with monthly costs of $548, making it one of the state's more achievable ownership markets. Consider whether buying—even with modest median income—could provide the stability and cost relief renting doesn't currently offer.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Perry County

via IncomeByCounty

Perry trails U.S. median by $29K

Perry County's median household income of $45,261 falls nearly 40% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This income gap reflects broader economic challenges in the region, placing Perry among lower-earning counties nationally.

Below Kentucky average income

Perry County ranks below Kentucky's state median of $55,909, earning $10,648 less per household. This positions Perry in the lower half of Kentucky's 120 counties for household income.

Lowest earner in Appalachian cluster

Perry's $45,261 income trails nearby Pike County ($42,179) and Powell County ($39,811), making it one of the region's stronger earners—though all three struggle against state benchmarks. The entire Appalachian corridor faces similar economic headwinds.

Rent consumes one-fifth of income

At 21.1%, Perry's rent-to-income ratio sits near the affordable threshold, meaning renters spend just over one-fifth of income on housing. With median home values of $90,700, homeownership remains within reach for many households.

Start small, build steadily here

Perry households can build wealth through employer retirement plans and low-cost index funds, even on modest incomes. Local nonprofits and community banks often offer financial literacy programs designed for exactly this income range.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Perry County

via HealthByCounty

Perry County's health gap widens

At 65.7 years, Perry County's life expectancy falls 8.8 years short of the U.S. average of 74.5 years. More than one in four residents report poor or fair health (26.1%), compared to the national rate of 17.9%, signaling serious underlying health challenges in the community.

One of Kentucky's shortest lifespans

Perry County ranks among the bottom tier of Kentucky counties, with a life expectancy 6.5 years below the state average of 72.2 years. The county's 26.1% poor/fair health rate also exceeds the state's typical burden of chronic illness.

Struggling compared to regional peers

Perry County's life expectancy of 65.7 years trails all neighboring counties—Pike (69.3), Powell (68.6), and Breathitt counties significantly outpace it. The county's poor/fair health rate of 26.1% is also higher than most surrounding counties, suggesting acute health disadvantages.

Good primary care access masks gaps

Perry County boasts 115 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well above the national average of 65—yet only 6.6% of residents lack insurance, below the state average of 7.0%. Despite strong provider capacity, the stubborn health disparities suggest barriers beyond availability, such as affordability, transportation, or preventive care uptake.

Ensure you have coverage today

While Perry County's uninsured rate is lower than the state average, 6.6% of residents still go without health insurance. Check your coverage now at healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Perry County

via RiskByCounty

Perry County's disaster risk stands above average

Perry County scores 73.22 on the composite risk scale, placing it well above the national median and significantly higher than Kentucky's state average of 44.21. This relatively low rating masks concentrated hazards in specific disaster types that warrant attention from residents and property owners.

High-risk county in Kentucky ranking

Among Kentucky's 120 counties, Perry ranks in the upper half for overall disaster risk, driven primarily by exceptional flood and wildfire exposure. The county's 73.22 composite score reflects vulnerabilities that exceed most of its neighbors in the Appalachian region.

Perry among the highest-risk counties nearby

Perry County's 73.22 composite score significantly exceeds neighboring Powell County (31.20) and Rockcastle County (36.13), positioning it as a disaster risk outlier in the region. Only Pike County to the east (87.88) carries comparable or greater overall risk from natural hazards.

Flooding and wildfires dominate Perry's hazards

Flood risk scores 86.29—among the highest in Kentucky—making it Perry's most pressing natural disaster threat, followed closely by wildfire risk at 77.93. Tornado risk (33.91) and earthquake risk (49.62) are comparatively lower but still warrant baseline preparedness, particularly for older structures and mobile homes.

Flood insurance essential for Perry County homes

Given Perry's flood risk score of 86.29, homeowners and renters should prioritize flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially if properties are in or near floodplain areas. Wildfire-prone properties should clear vegetation within 30 feet of structures and ensure proper roof and gutter maintenance to reduce ember damage during fire season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.