countyscore
58.9
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 75Schools 70.3

County Report Card

About Taylor County, Kentucky

Taylor County Beats National Trends

Taylor County earns a 60.0 composite score, placing it significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a highly livable environment that excels in education and affordability.

Leading the Kentucky State Average

The county's 60.0 score outperforms the Kentucky state average of 58.6. It manages to deliver a better balance of services and cost than many of its neighbors in the region.

Exceptional Value and School Quality

Affordability is a major strength, with a Cost Score of 78.4 and a median gross rent of only $691. This is paired with a strong School Score of 70.3 and excellent water quality scoring 86.0.

Moderate Income and Health Gains

The county's lowest marks are in Health at 43.0 and Income at 44.8, with a median income of $61,871. These figures suggest that while the cost of living is low, economic and wellness growth are more gradual.

Ideal for Young Families and Seekers of Value

Taylor County is perfect for young families who want high-quality schools without the financial strain of high housing costs. It offers an incredible quality-of-life-to-cost ratio that is hard to beat.

2040608010061.57545.34370.334.961.38659.9Tax61.5Cost75Safety45.3Health43Schools70.3Income34.9Risk61.3Water86Weather59.958.9/100
This county
National avg
4 above average1 below average

Taylor County DNA

Foverall

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

Taylor County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Income (34.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
61.5+9.5
Cost
75+27
Safety
45.3-9.700000000000003
Health
43
Schools
70.3+16.299999999999997
Income
34.9-16.1
Risk
61.3+14.299999999999997
Water
86+28
Weather
59.9
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Many homeowners in Taylor County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$174,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$718/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$174,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $60,456/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.4

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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Nearby counties

Green County
Kentucky
68
Marion County
Kentucky
62.4
Adair County
Kentucky
66.6
Larue County
Kentucky
62
Casey County
Kentucky
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Metcalfe County
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64.4
Washington County
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Nelson County
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53.8

Deep Dives

Taylor County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Taylor County

via TaxByCounty

Taylor County below national average

Taylor County's effective tax rate of 0.717% sits below the national median of 0.876%, placing it in the lower-to-moderate range nationally. The median property tax of $1,174 is less than half the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values and favorable rates. Taylor County offers a tax advantage compared to typical U.S. properties.

Competitive rate, moderate tax burden

Taylor County's effective rate of 0.717% matches Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, while its median tax of $1,174 slightly exceeds the state median of $1,093. With lower median home values of $163,700, Taylor County provides affordable homeownership with manageable tax obligations.

Taylor competitive with rural peers

Taylor County's 0.717% rate places it between Spencer County (0.712%) and Scott County (0.681%), offering solid value in rural Kentucky. Its low home values compare favorably to other non-metro counties in the region.

What Taylor County homeowners pay

With a median home value of $163,700, Taylor County residents pay approximately $1,174 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that burden rises to $1,208; without one, it drops to $1,136.

Appeal to lower your bill

Taylor County's modest assessments still warrant verification during revaluation cycles, as overassessment can occur at any income level. Homeowners discovering inflated property values can file an appeal with the county assessor to secure immediate tax relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Taylor County

via IncomeByCounty

Taylor County lags behind national income

Taylor County's median household income of $61,871 runs 17.2% below the U.S. median of $74,755, putting it in the lower-middle range of American counties. This reflects rural economic pressures across much of Kentucky.

Near-average earners in Kentucky

Taylor County's median income of $61,871 ranks just 10.7% above the state average of $55,909, positioning it modestly above the Kentucky baseline. The county represents a middle ground in the state's income distribution.

Taylor outearns some, trails others locally

Taylor County's $61,871 household income exceeds Simpson County ($57,392) and Todd County ($57,759), but lags behind Trimble County ($67,813) and the wealthier counties to the north. Its per capita income of $28,714 aligns with rural state averages.

Rent-to-income ratio remains manageable

Taylor County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.4% sits comfortably below the 20% affordability caution zone, giving households breathing room in their budgets. The median home value of $163,700 is relatively modest and accessible to most earning families.

Build steady financial security over time

Taylor County residents benefit from reasonable housing costs that free up income for savings and investments. Establish a disciplined approach to wealth building through regular contributions to retirement accounts and emergency savings, even if amounts are modest.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Taylor County

via CrimeByCounty

Taylor County Safer Than National Norms

Taylor County reports a total crime rate of 1,220.4 per 100,000 residents, roughly half the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county a safety score of 98.1 out of 100. Residents benefit from a level of security that is far superior to many other regions in the United States.

Tracking Above the Kentucky Average

While safe nationally, Taylor County's crime rate of 1,220.4 is higher than the Kentucky state average of 786.2. Its safety score of 98.1 is slightly below the state average of 98.8. This suggests that Taylor County experiences more frequent police activity than many of its rural neighbors.

Competitive Safety Ratings in the Region

Taylor County is notably safer than Simpson County, which has a higher crime rate of 1,864.8 per 100,000. However, it sees more activity than nearby Todd or Trigg counties. This positions Taylor County as a central hub with moderate but manageable crime levels.

Focusing on Property Crime Statistics

The local violent crime rate is 95.9 per 100,000, while property crime is significantly higher at 1,124.5. This means that for every violent incident, there are roughly 11 property-related crimes reported. The data shows that the community's primary safety challenge is theft and related offenses.

Effective Strategies for Home Safety

Focusing on deterrents for property crime is the most effective way for residents to stay safe. Simple additions like porch cameras and motion-activated lights can discourage potential thieves. Always ensure that garages and sheds are locked to protect tools and outdoor equipment.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Taylor County

via SoilByCounty

Southern Kentucky soil characteristics

Taylor County lacks specific digital records for pH and taxonomic order at this time. Most Kentucky soils trend toward acidity, with a state average pH of 5.80 compared to the national median of 6.5. A quick local soil test is the most authoritative way to find your ground's identity.

Observing the texture of the land

Specific sand, silt, and clay data is currently unavailable for Taylor County. The region typically features soils that range from loamy to clay-heavy depending on the proximity to local waterways. Digging a small test hole can reveal if your soil is gritty like sand or sticky like clay.

Building fertility in a data gap

While organic matter and water capacity stats are not listed, the state average organic matter content is a healthy 3.55%. Improving your soil with leaf mulch or aged manure is a great way to ensure you hit these benchmarks. High water capacity is vital for keeping Taylor County gardens green during hot Kentucky summers.

Assessing water movement locally

Dominant drainage classes are not currently mapped for this county, making personal observation essential. If water pools for more than 24 hours after a storm, you likely have slow-draining soil that may need aeration. Proper site planning is key for both agricultural yields and structural integrity.

Abundant sunshine in Zone 7a

Being in Zone 7a gives Taylor County a head start on the spring growing season compared to northern neighbors. This zone is excellent for okra, melons, and late-season tomatoes that thrive in the heat. There is plenty of opportunity to turn your backyard into a thriving food source.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Taylor County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Effort Needed for Taylor County

Taylor County sits at a lawn difficulty score of 55.7, indicating a moderate level of maintenance is required. While it scores above the national median, it is slightly more challenging than the typical Kentucky county.

Warm Summers and Generous Rainfall

The county endures 41 extreme heat days, which is 11 days more than the state average. This heat is offset by 51.7 inches of annual precipitation, though the 77.6°F July average demands careful afternoon watering.

Custom Soil Care is Essential

With no specific local soil data available, local gardeners should prioritize testing for pH and drainage. Healthy soil is the best defense against the 41 days of high heat that can otherwise scorch Zone 7a lawns.

Monitor Water Use During Dry Weeks

Taylor County recorded 8 weeks of drought in the past year, doubling the frequency of some northern neighbors. While current conditions show no immediate drought, those eight weeks suggest you should prepare for occasional mandatory water restrictions.

Selecting Heat-Hardy Grass Types

For Zone 7a, heat-tolerant fescues or hybrid bluegrasses are the most reliable performers. Get a head start by aerating and overseeding in the early fall to take advantage of the 51.7 inches of annual rain.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Taylor County's county score?
Taylor County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 58.9 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 Taylor County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Taylor County ranks #64 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 Taylor County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Taylor County is $1,202, with an effective tax rate of 0.69%. This earns Taylor County a tax score of 61.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Taylor County?
The median household income in Taylor County, Kentucky is $60,456 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Taylor County earns an income score of 34.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Taylor County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Taylor County scores 58.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #64 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Taylor 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 Taylor 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.