Rowan County's composite score of 76.3 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 26 points, securing a strong position among U.S. counties. This ranking reflects balanced livability across multiple dimensions.
2 / 5
Rowan Outperforms Kentucky Average
Rowan County's 76.3 score exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it above the middle of the state's ranking. The county demonstrates above-average fundamentals for a rural Kentucky community.
3 / 5
Rowan Combines Income and Low Taxes
Rowan County leads the group with the highest income score of 18.4 and a median household income of $53,657, while maintaining strong tax efficiency (86.7) at 0.553%. This combination offers residents better earning power with minimal tax drag.
4 / 5
Cost Score Trails Top Performers
While cost is still respectable at 83.0, Rowan's median home value of $155,900 and rent of $815 place it toward the higher end of this group. Safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality data have not yet been released.
5 / 5
Ideal for Earning Families
Rowan County suits working families and professionals who prioritize earning potential and low taxes over maximum housing affordability. It's particularly attractive to those with above-average incomes seeking rural character without sacrificing economic viability.
Rowan County's composite score of 76.3 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 26 points, securing a strong position among U.S. counties. This ranking reflects balanced livability across multiple dimensions.
Rowan Outperforms Kentucky Average
Rowan County's 76.3 score exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it above the middle of the state's ranking. The county demonstrates above-average fundamentals for a rural Kentucky community.
Rowan Combines Income and Low Taxes
Rowan County leads the group with the highest income score of 18.4 and a median household income of $53,657, while maintaining strong tax efficiency (86.7) at 0.553%. This combination offers residents better earning power with minimal tax drag.
Cost Score Trails Top Performers
While cost is still respectable at 83.0, Rowan's median home value of $155,900 and rent of $815 place it toward the higher end of this group. Safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality data have not yet been released.
Ideal for Earning Families
Rowan County suits working families and professionals who prioritize earning potential and low taxes over maximum housing affordability. It's particularly attractive to those with above-average incomes seeking rural character without sacrificing economic viability.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Rowan County's effective tax rate of 0.553% is roughly 40% lower than the national median of 0.9%, placing it in the lowest quintile nationwide. The median property tax of $862 is just one-third the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's very favorable tax environment.
Rowan County below Kentucky average
Rowan County's 0.553% effective rate trails Kentucky's statewide average of 0.719%, ranking it in the lower third of all state counties. The median property tax of $862 falls well short of the state average of $1,093, despite Rowan's relatively high median home value of $155,900.
Rowan County competitive in eastern region
Rowan County's 0.553% rate sits between Powell County's 0.582% and Rockcastle County's 0.481%, placing it in the favorable range for eastern Kentucky. With a median tax of $862, Rowan homeowners pay more than Rockcastle but benefit from lower rates than most surrounding counties.
Rowan County homeowners annual tax cost
On the median home value of $155,900, Rowan County homeowners pay approximately $862 annually in property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, the total obligation reaches around $1,104 per year.
Rowan homeowners should review assessments
Even in Rowan County's relatively low-tax environment, some homeowners may be overassessed if their properties haven't been revalued recently. Compare your assessed value to recent comparable sales in Rowan County and file an appeal if your assessment appears inflated.
Rowan County renters spend 18.2% of their $53,657 income on housing, just slightly above the national average of roughly 18%, with the highest median household income in the eight-county sample. At $815 monthly, Rowan's rent is moderate and well-supported by strong local earnings.
Slightly above state rental burden average
Rowan County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% exceeds Kentucky's 17% average by just 1.2 points, a negligible difference suggesting solid statewide positioning. The county's $815 median rent runs 5.7% above the state average, yet Rowan's strong income of $53,657 makes this rent tier quite manageable.
Highest income, highest rent traded well
Rowan County's $815 rent is third-highest in the regional sample, but its $53,657 median household income is the highest—matching or exceeding all peers except slight advantage over Robertson. The county successfully trades marginally higher costs for significantly stronger earning power.
Renters and owners balanced affordably
Rowan renters pay $815 monthly (18.2% of income) while homeowners carry $707 mortgages at 15.8% of household income—a modest 2.4-point gap favoring ownership. Median home value of $155,900 pairs with strong local income, making both pathways to housing security realistic for Rowan households.
Rowan combines income strength with value
Rowan County stands as the economic anchor of the eastern Kentucky sample, offering the highest median income ($53,657) alongside moderate rental and home costs. For relocation considering job prospects and housing stability, Rowan's $815 rents and $155,900 median home values are well-supported by local wages, making it one of the region's most balanced markets.
Rowan County's median household income of $53,657 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 28%. At $21,098 below national average, Rowan performs solidly compared to regional peers.
Slightly above Kentucky median
Rowan's median household income of $53,657 approaches Kentucky's state average of $55,909, positioning it in the upper-middle range. Rowan ranks among the stronger-earning Kentucky counties.
Second strongest in the eight-county group
Rowan's $53,657 ranks second only to Robertson County ($52,337 actually ranks below Rowan at $52,337), outearning all Appalachian peers significantly. Rowan's economy reflects more diversified employment.
Housing costs well below alarm level
Rowan's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably within affordable limits, with renters dedicating less than one-fifth of income to housing. Median home values of $155,900 remain achievable for dual-income households.
Explore real estate investment options
Rowan households are positioned to consider investment property purchases alongside primary residence mortgages. The favorable income-to-housing-cost ratio supports leveraged real estate building strategies.
Rowan County's life expectancy of 71.8 years runs 2.7 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years, representing relatively strong performance within its state. The 24.2% poor/fair health rate, while elevated above the national 17.9% average, is among the better outcomes in its region.
Slightly below state average lifespan
Rowan County's life expectancy of 71.8 years sits 0.4 years below Kentucky's 72.2-year average, placing it near the state median. The 24.2% poor/fair health rate is one of the better in the state, suggesting relatively healthier population outcomes.
Among region's healthier counties
Rowan County's life expectancy of 71.8 years ties Robertson County and beats Pike (69.3), Powell (68.6), and Rockcastle (69.2) counties significantly. The 24.2% poor/fair health rate ranks among the best in the region, making Rowan one of the healthier counties in its cohort.
Solid mental health access, moderate primary care
Rowan County offers 64 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—slightly below the national average of 65—but boasts 606 mental health providers per 100K, providing strong behavioral health capacity. The uninsured rate of 6.2% is among the lowest in the region, enabling most residents to access available services.
Keep your insurance active
Only 6.2% of Rowan County residents lack insurance, the lowest rate in the cohort, reflecting strong coverage. Maintain your current plan and take advantage of Rowan's strong mental health provider network by verifying coverage at healthcare.gov.
Rowan County faces moderate national disaster risk
Rowan County's composite risk score of 47.90 ranks it as relatively low risk, slightly above Kentucky's state average of 44.21 and near the national median. This moderate profile reflects balanced exposure across multiple hazard types without extreme concentration in any single threat.
Rowan ranks near the middle of Kentucky counties
Rowan County's score of 47.90 places it in the middle range of Kentucky's 120 counties for composite disaster risk, roughly aligned with the state average. The county's vulnerability reflects typical Appalachian geography with flood and wildfire exposure balanced against lower seismic and hurricane risks.
Rowan faces above-average risk in its region
Rowan County's 47.90 score exceeds nearby Powell County (31.20), Rockcastle County (36.13), and Russell County (31.87), positioning it as a moderate-risk outlier in a relatively safer region. However, it remains well below Pike County (87.88) and Perry County (73.22) to the east and southeast.
Flood exposure tops Rowan County's hazard list
Rowan County's primary vulnerability is flood risk at 67.24, substantially above state average and its most significant natural disaster concern. Wildfire risk (46.60) and tornado risk (41.25) present secondary threats, while earthquake (45.67) and hurricane (45.06) risks remain relatively contained.
Flood insurance strongly recommended for Rowan County
Rowan County residents should prioritize flood insurance for any properties in flood-prone areas or with proximity to streams and drainage corridors, given the county's flood risk score of 67.24. Standard homeowners or renters insurance should be combined with flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program for comprehensive property protection.