countyscore
49.2
County Score
Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 73Property Tax 72.8

County Report Card

About Simpson County, Kentucky

A Stable National Profile in Simpson

Simpson County earns a 48.2 composite score, positioning it just 1.8 points below the national median of 50.0. It remains a competitive mid-tier county with strong performance in specific living dimensions.

Balanced Performance Below State Averages

The county's score of 48.2 trails the Kentucky state average of 58.6. While it lacks the high-income boost of its neighbors, it excels in creating a stable and low-tax environment for its residents.

Low Taxes and Environmental Stability

The county shines with a Risk Score of 73.0 and a Tax Score of 70.1, supported by an effective tax rate of just 0.637%. Education is also a bright spot, with a School Score of 67.2 that outperforms many peers.

Safety and Income Growth Obstacles

Economic mobility remains a challenge with an Income Score of 31.3 and a median household income of $57,392. Additionally, the Safety Score of 24.9 suggests that crime prevention is a key area for local improvement.

Best for Budget-Conscious Families

Simpson County is an excellent fit for families and retirees who prioritize low taxes and quality local schools. It is a solid choice for those seeking a predictable cost of living in a low-risk environment.

2040608010072.83424.949.767.233.4738658.6Tax72.8Cost34Safety24.9Health49.7Schools67.2Income33.4Risk73Water86Weather58.649.2/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Simpson County DNA

Foverall

How Simpson County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Simpson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (24.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
72.8+20.799999999999997
Cost
34-14
Safety
24.9-30.1
Health
49.7
Schools
67.2+13.200000000000003
Income
33.4-17.6
Risk
73+26
Water
86+28
Weather
58.6
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$229,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,012/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$229,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,858/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Clear Creek County
Colorado
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McPherson County
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Fulton County
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Hampshire County
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Steele County
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Wayne County
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Champaign County
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Nearby counties

Logan County
Kentucky
54.9
Warren County
Kentucky
41.2
Sumner County
Tennessee
55
Allen County
Kentucky
62.1
Robertson County
Tennessee
44.2
Trousdale County
Tennessee
53.9
Butler County
Kentucky
67.4
Macon County
Tennessee
50.1

Deep Dives

Simpson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Simpson County

via TaxByCounty

Simpson County: lowest rates in the group

Simpson County's effective tax rate of 0.637% ranks among the nation's most affordable, sitting well below the national median of 0.876%. The median property tax of $1,246 is less than half the national median of $2,690, making Simpson a genuine tax haven for property owners. Simpson County offers substantially lower burden than typical American communities.

Well below Kentucky average

Simpson County's 0.637% rate and $1,246 median tax both underperform Kentucky's state average of 0.719% and $1,093 respectively. Simpson ranks among Kentucky's lowest-burden counties, attracting cost-conscious homebuyers seeking favorable property tax environments.

Simpson sets the low-tax standard

At 0.637%, Simpson County's rate beats every county in this regional group, including Todd County (0.553%) and Trigg County (0.555%) when median values are considered in context. Simpson offers the best combination of reasonable rates and property values in the area.

What Simpson County homeowners pay

Homeowners with Simpson County's median property value of $195,700 pay approximately $1,246 annually—the lowest among these eight counties. With a mortgage, the payment rises to $1,368; without one, it drops to $1,104.

Even low rates merit review

Simpson County's favorable rates shouldn't discourage assessment verification; overvaluation occurs even in low-tax regions. Homeowners should review their annual assessments and file appeals if property values diverge from market reality.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Simpson County

via IncomeByCounty

Simpson County falls below national income

Simpson County's median household income of $57,392 runs 23.3% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting economic challenges shared by many rural Kentucky communities. The gap highlights the need for local economic development.

Below-average earners in Kentucky

Simpson County's median income of $57,392 ranks near the bottom in Kentucky, just 2.6% above the state average of $55,909. The county faces income pressures common across rural Appalachian regions.

Simpson trails similar-sized counties

Simpson County's $57,392 household income lags behind Todd County ($57,759) and significantly trails Trimble County ($67,813) and Taylor County ($61,871). Its per capita income of $28,786 ranks near the state average, indicating economic strain across households.

Housing costs squeeze household budgets

At 21.1%, Simpson County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 20% affordability comfort zone, straining household budgets relative to median income. The median home value of $195,700 requires significant financial commitment for most residents.

Start small, build consistent wealth habits

Simpson County residents can build financial security through affordable tools like automatic savings plans, employer retirement benefits, and low-cost index funds. Even modest, consistent contributions to savings and investments compound over time into meaningful wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Simpson County

via CrimeByCounty

Simpson County Stays Below National Average

Simpson County reports a total crime rate of 1,864.8 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a safety score of 97.1 out of 100. While safer than many parts of the country, it experiences higher crime frequency than many of its Kentucky peers.

Higher Activity Than State Norms

Simpson County's crime rate is more than double the Kentucky state average of 786.2 per 100,000. Its safety score of 97.1 is also lower than the state's collective score of 98.8. These figures suggest that local law enforcement agencies handle a higher volume of cases relative to the population.

Comparing Simpson and Todd Counties

Simpson County sees significantly more reported crime than neighboring Todd County, which has a rate of 798.0 per 100,000. This disparity may be attributed to Simpson's position along major transit corridors. Despite this, Simpson remains a safer alternative to many major metropolitan areas.

Property Crimes Drive Local Statistics

Property crime dominates the local data with 1,711.5 incidents per 100,000 people. Violent crime is also higher than the state average, sitting at 153.3 per 100,000 residents. Most reported incidents involve theft, burglary, or motor vehicle larceny rather than physical violence.

Taking Proactive Security Steps

Residents should invest in robust security measures like deadbolts and window sensors to protect against property crime. Documenting valuable serial numbers and installing security cameras can assist law enforcement in the event of an incident. Awareness of your surroundings remains a key factor in personal safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Simpson County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic foundations in the southern tier

Simpson County features a more acidic soil profile with an average pH of 5.47, falling below the state average of 5.80. This acidity contributes to a soil score of 51.8, which is slightly lower than the Kentucky average. Local farmers often use lime to bring these soils closer to the national median of 6.5 for better crop yields.

Silty textures with moderate clay

The soil composition here is 62.4% silt and 21.2% clay, balanced by 13.6% sand. This high silt content makes the soil feel velvety and allows for decent nutrient retention. The moderate clay levels provide structure but require careful management to avoid compaction when wet.

Healthy organic levels above national averages

Simpson County contains 2.64% organic matter, which is lower than the state mean but well above the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity is 0.190 in/in, indicating the soil holds slightly more moisture than the state average. This provides a reliable reservoir for crops during the peak of the growing season.

Monitoring drainage in silty fields

Specific drainage class data is not available for Simpson County, but the silt-heavy mix typically offers moderate permeability. High silt content can lead to surface crusting if the soil is left bare, which impacts how water enters the ground. Proper cover cropping helps maintain the soil's natural hydrologic function.

Warm beginnings in Zone 7a

The 7a hardiness zone offers a longer growing season, making it perfect for peppers and sweet potatoes. Because the soil is naturally acidic, blueberries and azaleas thrive here without much intervention. Consider testing your specific plot to see if your favorite vegetables need a lime boost.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Simpson County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions in Southern Kentucky

Simpson County faces a tougher environment with a difficulty score of 49.1, falling below both the state average and the national median. This Zone 7a region requires more intensive management and smarter water use to keep lawns healthy.

High Heat and Heavy Rain

Extreme heat is a major factor here, with 44 days reaching 90°F or higher compared to the state average of 30. While the 53.9 inches of annual rain is plentiful, the intense July heat causes rapid evaporation and turf stress.

Acidic Soil Needs Careful Management

The soil pH is notably low at 5.47, which is too acidic for many standard grass types to thrive without lime. You should prioritize soil testing and amendments to balance the 21.2% clay content and improve root development.

Drought Sensitivity Requires Vigilance

With 7 weeks of drought in the past year and 15.6% of the area currently abnormally dry, water conservation is critical. Mulching your clippings back into the lawn can help retain moisture during these frequent dry stretches.

Transition Zone Grasses Work Best

Because of the high heat and Zone 7a climate, heat-tolerant varieties like Bermuda or turf-type tall fescue are your best bets. Start your soil corrections now to prepare for a successful growing season despite the local challenges.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Simpson County's county score?
Simpson County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 49.2 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 Simpson County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Simpson County ranks #104 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 Simpson County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Simpson County is $1,371, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Simpson County a tax score of 72.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Simpson County?
The median household income in Simpson County, Kentucky is $59,858 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Simpson County earns an income score of 33.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Simpson County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Simpson County scores 49.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #104 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Simpson 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 Simpson County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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