countyscore
65.5
County Score
Cost of Living 90.1Safety 82.2Property Tax 75.5

County Report Card

About Russell County, Kentucky

Strong National Standing

Russell County earns a composite score of 65.5, which is 15 points higher than the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a very high level of overall livability.

Exceeding Kentucky Norms

At 65.5, the county performs significantly better than the state average of 58.6. It stands out as a highly attractive alternative to more expensive or less safe areas in Kentucky.

Elite Affordability and Safety

The area boasts a cost score of 90.1 and a safety score of 82.2, making it both secure and inexpensive. Renters find great deals here with a median gross rent of only $660.

Infrastructure and Health Needs

Water quality and health outcomes are the primary challenges, with scores of 41.4 and 29.9. Additionally, the income score of 15.8 suggests a need for more high-paying local jobs.

A Hidden Gem for Retirees

Russell County is an ideal destination for those living on fixed incomes who value safety and low costs. It offers a rare combination of extreme housing value and high public security.

Score breakdown

Tax75.5Cost90.1Safety82.2Health29.9Schools57.3Income15.8Risk68.2Water41.4Weather63.3
🏛75.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡82.2
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤29.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓57.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡68.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧41.4
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤63.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨45.8
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱60.6
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Adair County
Kentucky
65.7
Wayne County
Kentucky
63
Clinton County
Kentucky
70
Cumberland County
Kentucky
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Casey County
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Pulaski County
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Pickett County
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Metcalfe County
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Deep Dives

Russell County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Russell County

via TaxByCounty

Russell County taxes far below national levels

Russell County's effective tax rate of 0.588% is substantially lower than the national median of roughly 0.9%, placing it in the bottom quartile nationally. The median property tax of $872 is less than one-third the national median of $2,690, reflecting Russell's favorable tax burden.

Russell County below Kentucky state average

Russell County's 0.588% effective rate falls below Kentucky's statewide average of 0.719%, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of all state counties. The median property tax of $872 trails the state average of $1,093, despite Russell's median home value of $148,200 being close to the state profile.

Russell County moderate tax burden regionally

Russell County's 0.588% rate sits slightly above Rockcastle County's 0.481% and Rowan County's 0.553%, placing it mid-range among south-central Kentucky peers. At $872 annually, Russell's median property tax reflects its $148,200 median home value, comparable to neighbors with similar valuations.

Russell County median annual property tax

On a median home value of $148,200, Russell County homeowners pay approximately $872 per year in property taxes. Including mortgage assessments, the total obligation climbs to around $1,151 annually.

Russell homeowners can challenge assessments

Many Russell County homeowners may be paying inflated property taxes due to outdated assessments that don't reflect current market values. File an appeal with the Russell County assessor if your home's assessed value exceeds what similar properties sold for recently in the area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Russell County

via CostByCounty

Russell County achieves strong affordability balance

Russell County renters spend 15.7% of their $50,520 income on housing, comfortably below the national average of roughly 18%, creating one of the region's least-stressed rental markets. At $660 monthly, Russell's median rent is among the lowest in the sample while supported by above-average household income.

Below state average for rental burden

Russell County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% sits clearly below Kentucky's 17% average, placing it in the state's more affordable rental markets. The county's $660 median rent runs 14% below the state average of $771, delivering genuine savings for Russell renters.

Low rent, solid income creates ease

Russell County's $660 rent rivals Rockcastle's $678 while matching Rowan's $53,657 median income advantage over the struggling southern counties. Among the eight-county sample, Russell delivers consistent affordability without sacrifice, landing clearly in the top tier for housing-income alignment.

Ownership advantage clear and substantial

Russell renters pay $660 monthly (15.7% of income), while homeowners manage $562 mortgages at just 13.3% of household income—a 2.4-point edge favoring purchase. Median home value of $148,200 aligns well with $50,520 income, making homeownership a realistic and financially sensible path for Russell families.

Russell offers rental and ownership value

Russell County delivers strong affordability across housing options: $660 rents consume just 15.7% of income, while $562 mortgages on $148,200 homes cost only 13.3%, both well below state and national averages. For eastern Kentucky relocation, Russell ranks with Rockcastle and Robertson as a top choice, offering accessible housing and reasonable income expectations.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Russell County

via IncomeByCounty

Russell earns one-third below nation

Russell County's median household income of $50,520 falls 32% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This $24,235 gap reflects regional economic constraints but positions Russell above the most distressed peers.

Slightly below Kentucky average

Russell's median household income of $50,520 lags Kentucky's state average of $55,909 by about 9%. Russell occupies the lower-middle tier of Kentucky's county economy.

Solid performer in the regional group

Russell's $50,520 income ranks fourth among the eight counties, trailing Rowan ($53,657) and Robertson ($52,337) but exceeding Pulaski ($50,943 actually ranks above Russell), Rockcastle ($48,367), and the Appalachian trio. Russell demonstrates moderate economic stability.

Rent burden remains reasonable

Russell's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio is among the best in the group, well below the 20% affordability threshold. Median home values of $148,200 require planning but remain accessible to many households.

Balance security with growth investing

Russell households should maintain emergency savings while allocating 20-30% of discretionary income to stock market investments. Time horizon and risk tolerance determine whether to emphasize index funds or individual stocks.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Russell County

via CrimeByCounty

Russell County scores high on national safety

Russell County features a total crime rate of 427.3 per 100K, supporting a high safety score of 99.3. This total is far lower than the national crime rate average of 2,385.5. These numbers show a community that is over five times safer than the U.S. average.

Surpassing the state safety average

Russell County is safer than the typical Kentucky county, with a 99.3 score compared to the 98.8 state average. Its crime rate of 427.3 is significantly better than the state's 786.2 average. Three agencies collaborate to provide this accurate safety data.

Russell County vs neighboring regions

Russell’s crime rate of 427.3 is slightly higher than Pike County (390.0) but much lower than Pulaski County (819.7). This places it in a strong position for safety within the south-central Kentucky region. Residents benefit from lower crime levels than their western neighbors.

Analyzing the local crime mix

The county reports 55.5 violent crimes and 371.8 property crimes per 100K residents. These numbers indicate that most residents will rarely encounter serious criminal activity in their daily lives. The safety score reflects a stable and secure environment.

Keeping your Russell County home safe

Investing in a home security system is a proactive way to maintain the county's safety standards. Simple steps like keeping valuables out of sight can further reduce property crime risks. High visibility for security measures often discourages local thieves.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Russell County

via HealthByCounty

Russell County nearly matches U.S. lifespan

Russell County's life expectancy of 72.1 years comes within 2.4 years of the U.S. average of 74.5 years, representing solid overall health outcomes. However, 29.3% of residents report poor or fair health—the second-highest in its cohort and far above the national 17.9% average.

Matches state average life expectancy

Russell County's life expectancy of 72.1 years essentially equals Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, placing it at the midpoint of state health outcomes. The 29.3% poor/fair health rate is elevated even within Kentucky, suggesting significant chronic disease burden despite middling lifespan.

Higher chronic illness despite decent lifespan

Russell County's life expectancy of 72.1 years ranks among the region's best, matching Pulaski County, but its 29.3% poor/fair health rate is the second-worst in the cohort, exceeded only by Rockcastle. This gap suggests Russell residents survive to average age but face substantial illness burden.

Limited primary care, scarce mental health access

Russell County has only 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the national average of 65—and 192 mental health providers per 100K, creating access challenges. The 7.5% uninsured rate is slightly above the state average of 7.0%, leaving hundreds without coverage protection.

Explore health insurance options today

Russell County's 7.5% uninsured rate exceeds the state average, and provider scarcity makes having insurance even more critical. Visit healthcare.gov to confirm your coverage, explore Medicaid eligibility, and find marketplace plans that connect you to available providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Russell County

via SchoolsByCounty

Consistent Education in Russell County

Russell County operates six public schools that serve a total of 3,005 students. The infrastructure is comprised of three elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools under a single district management. This organized system provides a clear path for students from early childhood through high school.

Meeting State Benchmarks with High Success

The county's 96.0% graduation rate is well above the national 87% average and higher than the Kentucky state average. Russell County's school score of 55.3 matches the state average exactly, showing consistent performance. Per-pupil expenditure is $6,343, which is about $550 lower than the state's average spending.

Centralized Learning in Russell County

The Russell County school district manages five of the six schools and all 3,005 students in the area. There are no charter schools, meaning the traditional public system is the sole provider of education for local families. This single-district focus ensures that all resources are funneled into the primary county campuses.

A Unified Rural Learning Community

Every school in Russell County is classified as rural, creating a consistent environment for all students. The average school size is 601 students, with Russell County High School being the largest at 832. Even the smallest elementary schools, like Salem Elementary with 395 students, maintain a significant community presence.

Explore Homes in Russell County

For those seeking a purely rural school experience with strong graduation results, Russell County is an ideal choice. Families often search for properties near Russell Springs or Jamestown to be close to the major elementary and middle school hubs. High graduation rates make these neighborhoods particularly attractive to home buyers.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Russell County

via RiskByCounty

Russell County maintains very low national disaster risk

Russell County's composite risk score of 31.87 ranks it as very low risk, substantially below both the national median and Kentucky's state average of 44.21. This favorable profile reflects relatively balanced and modest exposure across all major hazard categories.

Russell ranks among Kentucky's safest counties

Russell County's score of 31.87 places it in the lower quartile of Kentucky's 120 counties for composite disaster risk, making it one of the state's safer communities. The county benefits from a geographic position that minimizes extreme hazard exposure.

Russell part of south-central Kentucky's safe zone

Russell County's 31.87 score aligns closely with neighboring Powell County (31.20) and Rockcastle County (36.13), creating a pocket of relative safety in south-central Kentucky. This contrasts significantly with Pike County (87.88), Perry County (73.22), and Pulaski County (79.13) to the north and northeast.

Tornado risk is Russell's most elevated hazard

Russell County's highest risk score is tornado at 64.09, substantially above state average but the county's only significant vulnerability among major hazard types. Earthquake risk (56.36) and hurricane risk (49.23) remain moderate, while flood (35.66) and wildfire (29.83) risks rank among Kentucky's lowest.

Tornado awareness essential despite overall low risk

Russell County residents should prioritize tornado preparedness and awareness given the county's elevated tornado risk of 64.09, identifying safe shelter locations and maintaining a disaster kit. Standard homeowners or renters insurance provides adequate coverage for most hazards, though families should monitor severe weather alerts during spring and early summer months.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Russell County

via WeatherByCounty

A Particularly Wet Landscape

Russell County’s 55.4°F average temperature is slightly higher than the national median. It receives a staggering 57.0 inches of precipitation, far exceeding the 38-inch national average.

Leading the State in Rainfall

While its temperature is slightly below the Kentucky average of 56.2°F, Russell is much wetter than the state norm. It exceeds the state average rainfall by nearly seven inches annually.

Low Snow Compared to Neighbors

Russell County sees only 4.9 inches of snow annually, which is roughly half of what Rowan County experiences. Its high precipitation falls primarily as rain rather than winter accumulation.

Mild Winters and Manageable Heat

The county experiences a mild winter average of 36.6°F from December through February. Summer heat is moderate for the region, with only 25 days reaching 90°F or higher.

Prioritize Drainage and Rain Gear

Heavy rainfall requires robust gutter systems and proper home site drainage. Residents can worry less about heavy snow gear, as annual accumulation rarely exceeds five inches.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Russell County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Silts Near the Cumberland

Russell County’s soil pH averages 5.52, which is more acidic than the Kentucky average of 5.80 and well below the national median of 6.5. This acidic nature is common in the region but requires lime to optimize conditions for most vegetable crops. The overall soil score of 45.8 suggests the land requires active management for peak productivity.

A Dominant Silt and Clay Profile

The soil is remarkably silty at 56.7%, with 19.9% clay and 23.4% sand. This high silt content makes the soil feel smooth and allows it to hold onto nutrients, but it can also become compacted easily. Gardeners will find that adding coarse organic matter helps improve the soil's structure and workability.

Moderate Organic Matter and Water Storage

Organic matter in Russell County stands at 2.12%, which is lower than the Kentucky average of 3.55% but slightly above the national average. Despite this, the available water capacity is strong at 0.181 in/in, very close to the state average. This means the soil is excellent at storing moisture for your plants during the heat of summer.

Balanced Hydrology for Stable Growth

While formal drainage classes aren't listed, the high silt and moderate clay indicate a soil that retains moisture well without being as heavy as pure clay. This balance is generally good for farming, though gardeners should still ensure proper drainage to avoid root rot. It provides a stable foundation for both agriculture and local building.

Maximize Your Yield in Zone 7a

The Zone 7a climate in Russell County offers a long growing season that pairs well with the soil's high water capacity. You’ll find great success with crops like corn, beans, and berries that enjoy the local acidity. Dig in today and take advantage of this reliable Cumberland River soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Russell County

via LawnByCounty

Facing Extra Hurdles in Russell County

Russell County's lawn difficulty score of 60.6 is below the state average, though it remains easier than the national median of 50.0. Turf management in this 7a hardiness zone requires a bit more dedication than in neighboring counties.

A Very Wet Growing Season

With 57.0 inches of annual precipitation, Russell County is significantly wetter than the state average of 50.4 inches. While this means less watering, it also increases the risk of fungal diseases during the 25 extreme heat days each year.

Treating Low pH and Clay Soils

The soil pH of 5.52 is quite acidic, which can lock out essential nutrients from your grass. With nearly 20% clay content, you will need to focus on aeration and lime applications to improve both drainage and nutrient availability.

Five Weeks of Drought Stress

Five weeks of drought in the past year prove that despite high annual rainfall, dry spells are a real threat. Prioritizing drought-resistant grass types can help your yard survive these periods without constant sprinkler use.

Wait for the Late April Warmup

Seeding is most effective after the last frost on April 18, allowing grass to establish before the summer heat. Given the acidic soil, choosing turf varieties that tolerate lower pH levels will give you a significant head start.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Russell County's county score?
Russell County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 65.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Russell County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Russell County ranks #25 among all counties in Kentucky on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Russell County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Russell County is $872, with an effective tax rate of 0.59%. This earns Russell County a tax score of 75.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Russell County?
The median household income in Russell County, Kentucky is $50,520 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Russell County earns an income score of 15.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Russell County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Russell County scores 65.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #25 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Russell County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Russell County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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