Shelby County's composite score of 70.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 20 points, marking it as a genuinely livable county by U.S. standards. This performance reflects balanced strengths in taxation and housing costs, keeping it competitive nationally.
2 / 5
Slightly Trailing Kentucky Average
At 70.0, Shelby County falls about 5 points below Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it in the solid-but-not-exceptional range for the state. It ranks as a respectable mid-tier county within Kentucky's competitive landscape.
3 / 5
Affordable Rents and Reasonable Tax Burden
Shelby County offers excellent housing affordability with rent averaging just $998/month and a cost score of 71.0—among the most livable in the region. Its tax score of 79.5 reflects an effective rate of 0.810%, keeping overall fiscal burden manageable for residents.
4 / 5
Income Levels Limit Economic Opportunity
The income score of 37.3 reflects a median household income of $82,671, which trails wealthier counties and constrains upward mobility potential. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors prevent a fuller assessment of overall livability.
5 / 5
Ideal for Cost-Conscious Renters and Young Families
Shelby County appeals to renters, first-time homebuyers, and young families seeking affordability without sacrificing reasonable tax rates. Its particularly low rents make it a smart choice for those prioritizing housing costs over maximum income potential.
Shelby County's composite score of 70.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 20 points, marking it as a genuinely livable county by U.S. standards. This performance reflects balanced strengths in taxation and housing costs, keeping it competitive nationally.
Slightly Trailing Kentucky Average
At 70.0, Shelby County falls about 5 points below Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it in the solid-but-not-exceptional range for the state. It ranks as a respectable mid-tier county within Kentucky's competitive landscape.
Affordable Rents and Reasonable Tax Burden
Shelby County offers excellent housing affordability with rent averaging just $998/month and a cost score of 71.0—among the most livable in the region. Its tax score of 79.5 reflects an effective rate of 0.810%, keeping overall fiscal burden manageable for residents.
Income Levels Limit Economic Opportunity
The income score of 37.3 reflects a median household income of $82,671, which trails wealthier counties and constrains upward mobility potential. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors prevent a fuller assessment of overall livability.
Ideal for Cost-Conscious Renters and Young Families
Shelby County appeals to renters, first-time homebuyers, and young families seeking affordability without sacrificing reasonable tax rates. Its particularly low rents make it a smart choice for those prioritizing housing costs over maximum income potential.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Shelby County's effective tax rate of 0.810% exceeds the national median of 0.876% slightly, placing it in the moderate-to-high tier nationally. The median property tax of $2,248 falls below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values despite higher rate pressure. Shelby County homeowners shoulder a slightly heavier rate burden than most Americans.
Kentucky's highest rate among these eight
At 0.810%, Shelby County has the highest effective tax rate among the eight counties profiled here and exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%. Its median tax of $2,248 also ranks second-highest, making it one of Kentucky's more tax-intensive counties.
Shelby leads the region in rates
Shelby County's 0.810% rate significantly outpaces Spencer County (0.712%), Scott County (0.681%), and Trimble County (0.680%). Only among this regional peer group does Shelby stand apart for higher tax pressure on property owners.
What Shelby County homeowners pay
With a median home value of $277,500, Shelby County residents pay roughly $2,248 annually in property taxes—the second-highest figure in this study. Mortgage holders pay $2,424, while those owning free-and-clear pay $1,827.
Contest assessments and save
High-rate counties like Shelby present particular incentive for homeowners to verify their assessments and pursue appeals if values seem inflated. Shelby County residents who challenge overassessments during revaluation periods can recover hundreds in annual tax relief.
Shelby County renters spend just 14.5% of their $82,671 median household income on housing—well below the national average of roughly 17%. This makes Shelby one of the state's most affordable counties relative to earning power, offering relief compared to the state's 17.0% rent-to-income average.
Top-tier affordability across Kentucky
With a 14.5% rent-to-income ratio, Shelby County ranks among Kentucky's best for rental affordability. The combination of reasonable median rent ($998) and strong household incomes ($82,671) creates one of the state's healthiest housing markets for renters.
Modest rents, stable home values
Shelby's $998 monthly rent falls between Scott County's pricier $1,181 and Taylor County's bargain $691, positioning it as a mid-cost rental market. Shelby's $277,500 median home value is the highest among its neighbors, reflecting stronger property demand from a relatively affluent population.
Renters get the better deal here
Renters in Shelby County spend 14.5% of income on housing, while homeowners allocate 18.4% toward monthly ownership costs of $1,272. The $274 difference between median rent and owner costs suggests Shelby's strength lies in the rental market rather than the ownership sector.
Shelby rewards renters seeking balance
If you want genuine affordability without sacrificing income stability, Shelby County delivers—rents are reasonable, incomes are solid, and your housing budget can stretch further than most Kentucky options. Homebuyers should note that ownership costs climb more steeply here, making Shelby best for renters or well-capitalized buyers.
Shelby County's median household income of $82,671 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 10.6%, placing it among prosperous American counties. This strong performance reflects a resilient local economy.
Second highest earners in Kentucky
Shelby County's income of $82,671 ranks second in Kentucky, trailing only Scott County and running 47.9% above the state average of $55,909. This positions it as one of the state's wealth engines.
Shelby holds its own against regional peers
Shelby County's $82,671 household income competes directly with Scott County ($83,660) and falls below Spencer County ($98,333), anchoring the region's prosperity. Its per capita income of $38,834 reflects a well-distributed earning base.
Housing costs stay comfortably affordable
Shelby County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.5% sits well below the 30% affordability benchmark, making housing costs highly manageable. The median home value of $277,500 remains accessible to most households earning above the county median.
Build long-term wealth with your earnings
Shelby County residents enjoy incomes that rank among the highest in the nation, creating excellent opportunities for saving, investing, and retirement planning. Take advantage of this earning power by exploring tax-advantaged accounts and diversified investment portfolios.
Shelby County residents live to 76.2 years on average, about 1.8 years longer than the U.S. average of 74.4 years. However, 18.3% report poor or fair health, slightly above the national average of 21%, indicating room for improvement in daily wellness.
Above-Average Health Outcomes
At 76.2 years, Shelby County's life expectancy exceeds Kentucky's 72.2-year state average by nearly 4 years. This strong performance places Shelby among the state's healthier counties.
Competitive Regional Health
Shelby County's 76.2-year life expectancy ties with Spencer County and slightly exceeds Scott (75.7 years). Its 18.3% poor/fair health rate ranks middle-of-the-pack compared to Simpson (21.0%) and Todd (27.2%).
Strong Mental Health, Limited Primary Care
Shelby County has 186 mental health providers per 100,000—one of the region's highest ratios—but only 35 primary care providers per 100,000. At 7.0% uninsured, Shelby matches the state average, though improved primary care access could strengthen overall health outcomes.
Ensure Your Coverage is Current
Seven percent of Shelby County residents lack health insurance. Review your coverage at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to understand your options for Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer-sponsored insurance.
Shelby County's composite risk score of 61.86 earns a Relatively Low rating, placing it above Kentucky's state average of 44.21. While moderate by national standards, Shelby faces measurably higher natural disaster threats than many American counties.
Where Shelby ranks among Kentucky counties
At 61.86, Shelby County's composite risk score ranks it among the higher-risk counties in Kentucky, driven by the state's second-highest tornado risk of 87.82. Shelby residents face substantially greater tornado exposure than the typical Kentucky county.
How Shelby compares to nearby counties
Shelby's 61.86 score exceeds Scott County (56.08) and significantly surpasses Spencer County (13.33) and Trimble County (11.90). Shelby's tornado risk of 87.82 stands as one of the highest in the entire state, making it far more exposed to severe weather than surrounding counties.
Shelby's top two natural disaster threats
Tornadoes present Shelby County's dominant risk, with a score of 87.82—among Kentucky's highest tornado exposure levels. Earthquakes rank second at 73.57, creating a secondary but significant ground-shaking hazard for residents and structures.
Protect your Shelby County home now
Shelby's exceptionally high tornado risk demands robust coverage—ensure your homeowners policy includes tornado and wind damage protection. Review your flood insurance as well, since Shelby's flood risk of 61.42 indicates moderate but real vulnerability to water damage.