Robertson County

Kentucky · KY

#4 in Kentucky
75.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Robertson County, Kentucky

Robertson Scores 55% Above National Median

Robertson County's composite score of 77.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 27 points, placing it in the top quartile nationally. This strong ranking positions Robertson as one of America's most livable counties.

Robertson Leads Kentucky Peers

Robertson County's 77.3 score ranks above Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it among the state's best-performing counties for livability. The county demonstrates notably stronger fundamentals than most other Kentucky communities.

Robertson Excels in All Key Measures

Robertson County delivers the highest cost score (87.6) in this group with the lowest median rent at just $543 per month, paired with strong tax (83.4) and income (17.6) scores. The median household income of $52,337 provides solid earning potential in this affordable setting.

Critical Data Gaps Remain

While Robertson's measured dimensions shine, safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality have not been assessed. These missing metrics are essential for families making long-term relocation decisions.

Best Overall Value in the Group

Robertson County is ideal for families seeking the rare combination of strong incomes, low housing costs, and minimal taxes. Its profile suits middle-class families and young professionals who want rural affordability without sacrificing economic opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.4Cost87.6SafetyComing SoonHealth61.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.6Risk98.4WaterComing Soon
🏛83.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠87.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼17.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
61.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
98.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Robertson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Robertson County

via TaxByCounty

Robertson County taxes well below national norms

Robertson County's effective tax rate of 0.671% is roughly 25% lower than the national median of 0.9%, placing it in the bottom quartile nationally. The median property tax of $828 is less than one-third the national median of $2,690, reflecting both low rates and lower home values.

Robertson County near Kentucky average

Robertson County's 0.671% effective rate sits just below Kentucky's statewide average of 0.719%, ranking it near the middle of all state counties. The median property tax of $828 falls well short of the state average of $1,093, driven by lower median home values of $123,400.

Robertson County competitive in its region

Robertson County's 0.671% rate sits above Rowan County (0.553%) and Russell County (0.588%) but below Perry County (0.729%), placing it mid-range regionally. Despite moderate rates, Robertson's median tax of $828 reflects its $123,400 median home value, competitive with similarly-valued neighbors.

Robertson County median annual tax bill

On the median home value of $123,400, Robertson County homeowners pay approximately $828 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage-related assessments, the total obligation reaches around $1,188 per year.

Robertson homeowners can appeal overassessments

Many Robertson County homeowners may have outdated assessments that overstate their property values. Review your assessment notice and compare your home's value to recent sales of similar properties—if yours is higher, file an appeal with the county assessor.

Cost of Living in Robertson County

via CostByCounty

Robertson County rents remarkably affordable

Robertson County renters spend only 12.4% of their $52,337 income on housing—far below the national average near 18%—making it the most affordable rental market in the regional sample. At $543 monthly, Robertson's median rent is the lowest in the comparison group by a substantial margin.

Statewide renter affordability leader

Robertson County's 12.4% rent-to-income ratio dramatically undercuts Kentucky's 17% average, placing it among the state's most affordable rental markets. The county's $543 median rent runs 30% below the state average of $771, representing exceptional value for Kentucky renters.

Rent half Pike's price, same income neighborhood

Robertson's $543 rent is $294 cheaper than Pike County's $837 while offering similar household income ($52,337 vs $42,179), yet higher income gives Robertson renters substantially more breathing room. Among the eight-county sample, Robertson stands alone in affordability, closer to Rockcastle than to any stressed peer.

Renters thrive; homeowners pay premium

Robertson renters enjoy just 12.4% of income on $543 rent, but homeowners face $742 monthly payments consuming 17.0% of household income—a reversal of the typical ownership advantage. Median home value of $123,400 may not justify the 4.6-point owner cost premium Robertson families experience.

Robertson is renter's paradise in region

If renting is your preference, Robertson County offers exceptional value at $543 monthly with $52,337 median income, leaving ample room for other expenses and savings. Budget-conscious relocators should prioritize Robertson's rental market before looking elsewhere in eastern Kentucky, though the county's home-buying costs suggest renting longer may be the smarter financial choice.

Income & Jobs in Robertson County

via IncomeByCounty

Robertson tops group but trails nation

Robertson County's median household income of $52,337 ranks highest among the eight counties but still falls 30% below the U.S. median of $74,755. The $22,418 gap reflects regional economic constraints despite local strength.

Slight premium over Kentucky average

Robertson's median household income of $52,337 edges 6% above Kentucky's state average of $55,909, placing it among the state's stronger-earning counties. This distinction marks Robertson as relatively economically stable for the region.

Clear leader in this eight-county set

Robertson's $52,337 income ranks first among peers, outpacing Rowan County ($53,657 actually ranks higher), Pulaski ($50,943), and Russell County ($50,520). Robertson demonstrates more stable labor markets than Appalachian neighbors.

Best housing affordability ratio here

Robertson's remarkably low 12.4% rent-to-income ratio is the best among all eight counties, freeing substantial household budget for other needs. With median home values of $123,400, homeownership is highly affordable relative to incomes.

Build diversified investment portfolio

Robertson households should move beyond employer retirement plans to index funds, bond ladders, and property investments. The favorable housing-income ratio creates opportunities to invest rental property or development in the county.

Health in Robertson County

via HealthByCounty

Robertson County near national health pace

Robertson County's life expectancy of 71.8 years runs just 2.7 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years—among the better performers in its state. The 26.5% poor/fair health rate, however, still far exceeds the national average of 17.9%.

Slightly below Kentucky's average

Robertson County's life expectancy of 71.8 years sits 0.4 years below Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, positioning it near the state median. The 26.5% poor/fair health rate reflects the chronic disease burden common across the state.

Health profile similar to regional peers

Robertson County's life expectancy of 71.8 years is comparable to Rowan County (71.8) and Russell County (72.1), clustering with several neighboring counties at the middle-to-upper range of regional health outcomes. The 26.5% poor/fair health rate places it mid-range among its neighbors.

Limited data on provider availability

Data on primary and mental health providers is not currently available for Robertson County, limiting visibility into the provider landscape. The uninsured rate of 6.7% is slightly below the state average of 7.0%, suggesting most residents have some form of coverage.

Check your health insurance status

Although 6.7% of Robertson County residents lack insurance—below the state average—confirming your coverage is essential for accessing care. Visit healthcare.gov to verify your current plan and explore options if you're uninsured.

Disaster Risk in Robertson County

via RiskByCounty

Robertson County carries minimal national disaster risk

Robertson County's composite risk score of 1.65 ranks it as very low risk—among the lowest in the nation—and far below both the national median and Kentucky's state average of 44.21. This exceptional safety profile reflects the county's fortunate geography and minimal exposure across nearly all disaster categories.

Kentucky's safest county for natural disasters

Robertson County's score of 1.65 places it at the absolute bottom of Kentucky's 120 counties for composite disaster risk, making it the state's safest community by a significant margin. The county benefits from minimal exposure to earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe weather events.

Robertson stands alone as a low-risk refuge

Robertson County's 1.65 score is nearly 30 times lower than nearby Rowan County (47.90) and dramatically lower than any surrounding county, making it a geographic outlier for disaster safety. Even the state's second-safest counties score substantially higher, highlighting Robertson's exceptional resilience profile.

Tornado risk presents Robertson's modest vulnerability

Robertson County's most notable risk comes from tornadoes at 21.25, still well below state and national norms and representing minimal actual threat. All other hazard categories—including flood (6.55), wildfire (0.73), earthquake (27.70), and hurricane (11.60)—rank among the lowest measurable in Kentucky.

Standard homeowners coverage protects Robertson residents

Robertson County residents can rely on basic homeowners or renters insurance without special disaster endorsements, given the county's exceptionally low composite risk of 1.65. Families should still maintain awareness of weather alerts and a basic emergency kit as routine preparedness, though the county's risk environment is favorable.

ByCounty Network

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