CountyScore

Pulaski County

Kentucky · KY

#106 in Kentucky
67.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Pulaski County, Kentucky

Pulaski Scores 50% Above National Median

Pulaski County's composite score of 75.1 towers 50 percentage points above the national median of 50.0, securing a strong national position. This ranking places Pulaski among the better-performing counties across the United States.

Right at Kentucky's Average

Pulaski County's score of 75.1 essentially matches Kentucky's state average of 75.0, making it a representative Kentucky county. The county sits squarely in the middle of the state's livability spectrum.

Pulaski Balances Income and Affordability

Pulaski stands out with the second-highest income score in this group (16.6) and a median household income of $50,943, plus solid cost (82.9) and tax (84.1) scores. This balance provides residents better earning potential while maintaining affordability.

Missing Data on Key Livability Factors

Safety, health, school quality, risk, and water measurements are not yet available for Pulaski County. These unmeasured dimensions could significantly influence quality-of-life decisions for families considering the county.

Suits Families Seeking Balance

Pulaski County appeals to working families who want moderate incomes combined with low taxes and reasonable housing costs. It's particularly attractive to those who don't require top-tier urban services but need economic stability and affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.1Cost82.9SafetyComing SoonHealth61.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.6Risk20.9WaterComing Soon
🏛84.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡20.9
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 Pulaski County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Pulaski County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pulaski County

via TaxByCounty

Pulaski County taxes far below national median

Pulaski County's effective tax rate of 0.646% is substantially lower than the national median of roughly 0.9%, placing it in the bottom quartile nationwide. The median property tax of $1,010 remains well below the national median of $2,690, even as Pulaski's median home value of $156,300 approaches the national average.

Pulaski County slightly below state average

Pulaski County's 0.646% effective rate falls below Kentucky's statewide average of 0.719%, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. The county's median property tax of $1,010 closely approaches the state average of $1,093, reflecting its position as a moderate-value community.

Pulaski County moderate among central Kentucky

Pulaski County's 0.646% rate sits between Rockcastle County's very low 0.481% and Russell County's 0.588%, placing it in the higher range of the region. At $1,010 annually, Pulaski's median property tax is the highest among its immediate neighbors, driven by higher median home values.

Pulaski County homeowners pay this annually

On a median home value of $156,300, Pulaski County homeowners pay approximately $1,010 per year in property taxes. With mortgage assessments included, the total obligation climbs to around $1,158 annually.

Pulaski homeowners should verify assessments

Many Pulaski County homeowners may be overassessed, particularly if their property hasn't been reassessed in several years or recently dropped in market value. Filing an appeal based on comparable home sales in your neighborhood can help reduce an inflated assessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pulaski County

via CostByCounty

Pulaski balances affordability reasonably well

Pulaski County renters spend 19.7% of their $50,943 income on housing, modestly above the national average of roughly 18% but closer than most regional peers. With median rent at $835 and household income above the regional average, Pulaski demonstrates relative stability in the eastern Kentucky housing market.

Slightly above state average for rents

Pulaski County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% exceeds Kentucky's 17% average, but the county's median household income of $50,943 is above state norms, providing more cushion than struggling neighbors. Median rent of $835 runs 8% higher than the state average, reflecting Pulaski's relative economic strength.

Mid-range costs, above-average income

Pulaski County's $835 rent ties with Pike County as the regional high, but Pulaski's $50,943 median income outpaces all comparison counties except Robertson and Rowan. This income advantage makes Pulaski's housing more manageable despite higher absolute rent prices.

Renters and owners both reasonably positioned

Renters in Pulaski spend $835 monthly (19.7% of income), while homeowners carry $687 mortgages at 16.2% of household income—a modest 3.5-point gap favoring ownership. Median home value of $156,300 reflects Pulaski's relative economic strength compared to neighboring eastern Kentucky counties.

Pulaski offers stable middle ground

If you're considering eastern Kentucky, Pulaski County offers above-average income potential and moderate rental costs that align with regional norms better than struggling Pike or Powell counties. The county's $156,300 median home value and 16.2% owner cost-to-income ratio also make homeownership competitive for those ready to build equity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pulaski County

via IncomeByCounty

Pulaski earns closer to U.S. median

Pulaski County's median household income of $50,943 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 32%—a smaller gap than many peers. At $23,812 below national average, Pulaski performs relatively better regionally.

Mid-range earner for Kentucky

Pulaski's median household income of $50,943 falls just slightly below Kentucky's state average of $55,909. This near-average standing positions Pulaski solidly in the middle tier of Kentucky's county economy.

Clear earner among Appalachian peers

At $50,943, Pulaski outearns Pike County ($42,179) and Powell County ($39,811) significantly, reflecting more diversified economic activity. Pulaski's stronger position reflects Fort Knox military presence and regional commerce.

Rent-to-income nears ideal threshold

Pulaski's 19.7% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the 20% affordability sweet spot, offering renters reasonable housing cost burden. With median home values of $156,300, homeownership requires careful planning but remains achievable.

Invest beyond the basics now

Pulaski households in solid financial footing should diversify beyond employer plans into taxable brokerage accounts and real estate. This income level supports both employer retirement benefits and strategic additional investing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pulaski County

via HealthByCounty

Pulaski County edges toward national average

At 72.1 years, Pulaski County's life expectancy nears the U.S. average of 74.5 years—performing better than many neighboring counties. Still, 25.3% of residents report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 17.9%.

Right in line with Kentucky

Pulaski County's life expectancy of 72.1 years essentially matches Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, placing it at the midpoint of state health outcomes. The 25.3% poor/fair health rate aligns with broader state trends, reflecting typical chronic disease burdens across Kentucky.

Among the region's healthier counties

Pulaski County's life expectancy of 72.1 years ranks among the best in its immediate region, outpacing Pike (69.3), Powell (68.6), and Rockcastle (69.2). The 25.3% poor/fair health rate is moderate compared to neighbors, suggesting better population health management.

Moderate provider access, higher uninsured

Pulaski County has 72 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, above the national average of 65, and 482 mental health providers per 100K. However, 7.9% of residents are uninsured—the highest rate in the county cohort—leaving nearly 1 in 12 Pulaski County residents vulnerable to medical costs.

Nearly 8% still lack coverage

Pulaski County's uninsured rate of 7.9% is above the state average of 7.0%, meaning hundreds of residents navigate the health system without protection. Check your coverage status and explore marketplace plans, Medicaid, or employer options at healthcare.gov today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pulaski County

via RiskByCounty

Pulaski County faces elevated national disaster risk

Pulaski County's composite risk score of 79.13 substantially exceeds both the national median and Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it in the relatively low risk category but with notable exposure. This reflects pronounced vulnerability in multiple hazard types, particularly earthquakes and tornadoes.

Pulaski ranks among Kentucky's higher-risk counties

Pulaski County's score of 79.13 places it in the upper half of Kentucky's 120 counties for composite disaster risk, reflecting the county's location in a seismically active region. The county's earthquake risk in particular stands out as a defining vulnerability statewide.

Pulaski's risk profile stands out in central Kentucky

Pulaski County's 79.13 composite score exceeds nearby Rockcastle County (36.13) and Russell County (31.87) by a substantial margin, though it trails Pike County (87.88) and Perry County (73.22) to the east. This makes Pulaski a moderate-to-high risk outlier within its immediate geographic region.

Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate Pulaski's hazards

Pulaski County faces significant earthquake risk at 83.62—exceptionally high statewide—alongside tornado risk of 82.98, making these dual threats the county's defining vulnerabilities. Flood risk (81.55) is also notable, while wildfire (64.15) and hurricane (56.20) risks remain secondary concerns.

Earthquake and tornado preparedness critical for Pulaski

Pulaski County residents should ensure homes meet current seismic building codes, particularly older structures; secure heavy furniture to walls and know safe shelter locations during earthquakes. A comprehensive homeowners or renters insurance policy is essential, and families should maintain a detailed disaster kit with supplies for both earthquake and tornado scenarios.

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.