CountyScore

Russell County

Kentucky · KY

#31 in Kentucky
72.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Russell County, Kentucky

Russell County Ranks 56% Above Median

Russell County's composite score of 78.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 28 points, placing it among the top-performing counties nationwide. This strong national standing reflects robust fundamentals across measured dimensions.

Russell Outpaces Kentucky Peers

Russell County's 78.2 score significantly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0, ranking it near the top statewide. The county demonstrates stronger livability foundations than most other Kentucky communities.

Russell Excels in Affordability

Russell County delivers a strong cost score of 88.1 with the lowest median rent in the group at just $660 per month, plus a competitive tax score of 85.7. The median home value of $148,200 and income of $50,520 provide solid value overall.

Important Metrics Still Unmeasured

Safety, health, school quality, risk, and water availability remain unavailable for Russell County. These unmeasured dimensions could be critical for families making informed relocation decisions.

Strong Choice for Value Seekers

Russell County appeals to families and retirees seeking exceptional rental affordability and low taxes without sacrificing moderate household income. It's particularly suited to those who want small-town living with reasonable economic stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.7Cost88.1SafetyComing SoonHealth58.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.4Risk68.2WaterComing Soon
🏛85.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡68.2
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 Russell County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Russell County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

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

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

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.