countyscore
41.2
County Score
Water Quality 86Property Tax 66.6Weather & Climate 64.9

County Report Card

About Warren County, Kentucky

Trailing the National Median

Warren County registers a composite score of 41.9, which falls below the national median of 50.0. While it offers urban amenities, certain risk and safety factors drag its overall index lower than the U.S. average.

Behind the Kentucky Average

The county's overall score of 41.9 sits well below the Kentucky state average of 58.6. Despite its economic growth, it faces steeper challenges in safety and environmental risk than many rural peers.

Clean Water and Low Taxes

Warren County excels in water quality with a high score of 86.0 and maintains a business-friendly tax score of 69.3. Residents benefit from an effective tax rate of just 0.642%, which is quite competitive.

Safety and Risk Constraints

The county struggles with a safety score of 9.8 and a risk score of 11.5, indicating significant room for improvement in community security. Additionally, the cost score of 28.5 reflects a tightening housing market where median home values reach $242,600.

Best for High-Income Professionals

Warren County suits professionals who value career opportunities and can afford the higher housing costs. It is an urban-leaning environment for those who prioritize infrastructure and low taxes over rural tranquility.

2040608010066.628.39.849.757.850.211.58664.9Tax66.6Cost28.3Safety9.8Health49.7Schools57.8Income50.2Risk11.5Water86Weather64.941.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Warren County DNA

Foverall

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

Warren County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (9.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
66.6+14.599999999999994
Cost
28.3-19.7
Safety
9.8-45.2
Health
49.7
Schools
57.8
Income
50.2
Risk
11.5-35.5
Water
86+28
Weather
64.9+8.900000000000006
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$258,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,002/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$258,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,080/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,794/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

13.8

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

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Davison County
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Kittitas County
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Amador County
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Chautauqua County
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Wagoner County
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41.3

Nearby counties

Edmonson County
Kentucky
65.3
Simpson County
Kentucky
49.2
Allen County
Kentucky
62.1
Butler County
Kentucky
67.4
Logan County
Kentucky
54.9
Barren County
Kentucky
53.8
Grayson County
Kentucky
61.9
Hart County
Kentucky
65.6

Deep Dives

Warren County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Warren County

via TaxByCounty

Warren County taxes: Well below national average

Warren County's effective tax rate of 0.642% ranks in the lowest quartile nationally, significantly below the national median of 0.84%. Homeowners here pay $1,558 annually—less than 60% of the $2,690 national median property tax.

Among Kentucky's lowest-tax counties

Warren County ranks in the bottom third of Kentucky's 120 counties with a 0.642% effective rate, well below the state average of 0.719%. Despite higher home values here, the median tax of $1,558 exceeds the state median of $1,093 only because homes are worth more.

Lower taxes than surrounding counties

Warren County's 0.642% rate edges below Union County's 0.787% and Washington County's 0.716%, making it one of the region's tax-friendly jurisdictions. Only Wayne County at 0.578% offers lower rates in the immediate area.

Median home triggers $1,558 yearly tax

With the median home valued at $242,600, Warren County homeowners pay approximately $1,558 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage escrow, the typical bill climbs to around $1,624.

Appeals can reduce your assessment

Even in lower-tax counties, overassessments happen—many Warren County homeowners qualify for reductions they don't claim. A simple appeal process lets you challenge your assessment and reclaim money already paid.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Warren County

via IncomeByCounty

Warren County trails national earnings benchmark

Warren County's median household income of $64,801 sits about $9,954 below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing a 13% gap. Despite the shortfall, Warren outperforms many rural and post-industrial counties nationwide.

Top earners in Kentucky

Warren County ranks among Kentucky's stronger income performers, with a median of $64,801 topping the state average by $8,892. Only a handful of Kentucky counties match Warren's earning power and economic momentum.

Clear income leader in the region

Warren County's $64,801 median substantially exceeds surrounding counties like Union ($60,989), Washington ($59,762), and Wayne ($41,933), but falls behind Woodford County ($80,006). This positions Warren as a regional economic hub supporting both middle-class stability and upward mobility.

Housing costs rising but manageable

Warren County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio remains below the 30% affordability ceiling, though it ranks higher than neighbors, reflecting its premium housing market. The median home value of $242,600 represents a significant investment but aligns with regional property appreciation trends.

Leverage Warren's growing prosperity

Warren County households earning above the median have genuine opportunities to build wealth through home equity, retirement savings, and local investment. Prioritize maximizing employer 401(k) matches and exploring property investments in this appreciating market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Warren County

via CrimeByCounty

Warren County exceeds national crime averages

Warren County reports a total crime rate of 2,802.5 per 100,000 residents, which is roughly 17% higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, it maintains a safety score of 95.6 out of 100.

Above average activity for the Bluegrass State

With a crime rate of 2,802.5, Warren County sits well above the Kentucky state average of 786.2 per 100,000 residents. Its safety score of 95.6 falls slightly below the state average score of 98.8.

High activity compared to regional peers

Warren County functions as a major regional hub, resulting in significantly more reported crime than nearby Woodford County’s rate of 1,060.1. Increased density and traffic often lead to higher incident reporting in this part of the state.

Property crime drives local safety concerns

The local property crime rate of 2,588.9 per 100,000 residents is significantly higher than the national property average of 2,015.7. Violent crime is less frequent at 213.6, remaining below the national violent crime average of 369.8.

Secure your property in Warren County

Given that property crimes represent the bulk of local incidents, installing a home security system and visible cameras is highly recommended. Simple steps like locking vehicles can significantly reduce the risk of opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Warren County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Exceptionally Humid

Warren County’s 59.1°F average temperature is significantly higher than the national median. It receives 51.0 inches of precipitation, placing it among the wetter regions in the country.

One of Kentucky's Warmest Areas

The county's 59.1°F average is nearly three degrees warmer than the Kentucky state average of 56.2°F. It ranks as a climate leader for heat in the Commonwealth.

Intense Heat and Surprising Snow

Warren sees 47 extreme heat days, far more than any of its northern neighbors. Despite the heat, it still averages 8.3 inches of snow, nearly as much as Rowan County.

A Summer of Extreme Heat

July is very hot with an average of 79.7°F and a total of 47 days over 90°F across the year. Winters are mild with a January average of 37.2°F, though snow is still common.

Prepare for Long Heatwaves

Air conditioning systems must be robust enough to handle seven weeks of 90-degree weather. Keep a snow shovel ready for the 8.3 inches of accumulation that typically falls during winter.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Warren County

via SoilByCounty

Warren County's Slightly Acidic Foundation

The average soil pH in Warren County is 5.82, which sits just above the state average of 5.8 but below the national 6.5 median. This mildly acidic profile is common across Kentucky's limestone-rich regions and influences nutrient availability for crops.

A Silt-Heavy Composition

The soil is dominated by 64.2% silt and 21.7% clay, creating a smooth texture with high nutrient retention. With only 14.1% sand, these soils can be difficult to work when wet and are susceptible to surface compaction.

Steady Moisture and Moderate Organic Matter

Organic matter content stands at 2.34%, exceeding the national average of 2.0% but trailing the Kentucky state average of 3.55%. The Available Water Capacity of 0.186 in/in exactly matches the state benchmark, providing reliable moisture for regional agriculture.

Navigating a Moderate Soil Score

Warren County earns a soil score of 54.6, which is slightly lower than the state average of 56.2. The high silt and clay levels mean growers must manage drainage carefully to prevent waterlogging in low-lying areas.

Thriving in Zone 7a

Hardiness Zone 7a allows Warren County gardeners to grow everything from tomatoes to tender perennials. The reliable water capacity makes this an excellent environment to start a productive backyard garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Warren County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions for Warren County Lawns

Warren County scores a 53.7 for lawn difficulty, making it one of the more challenging areas in the state compared to the Kentucky average of 66.3. Despite being in Hardiness Zone 7a, local environmental factors require more intensive management than neighboring counties.

Extreme Heat and Long Growing Cycles

Lawns here face 47 extreme heat days annually, significantly higher than the state average of 30 days. This intense heat, combined with 4,705 growing degree days, means grass grows quickly and requires frequent mowing and supplemental irrigation.

Acidic Soils Require Careful Amendments

The local soil pH of 5.82 is below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, suggesting that most lawns will benefit from lime applications to unlock nutrients. A clay content of 21.7% helps retain moisture, but the low sand percentage of 14.1% can lead to drainage issues during heavy rains.

Consistent Moisture in a Hot Climate

The county saw seven weeks of drought over the last year, though it currently shows no active drought designations. To combat the 47 days of high heat, use mulching mowers to return clippings to the soil, which helps retain moisture and protect the grass crowns.

Winning With Heat-Tolerant Varieties

Given the high heat-day count, heat-tolerant Tall Fescue or Bermuda grass are the most resilient options for Warren County. Aim to complete your spring seeding by the April 5th average last frost to ensure the lawn is established before summer peaks.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Warren County's county score?
Warren County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 41.2 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 Warren County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Warren County ranks #117 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 Warren County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Warren County is $1,668, with an effective tax rate of 0.65%. This earns Warren County a tax score of 66.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Warren County?
The median household income in Warren County, Kentucky is $65,794 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Warren County earns an income score of 50.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Warren County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Warren County scores 41.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #117 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Warren 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 Warren 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.