CountyScore

Whitley County

Kentucky · KY

#86 in Kentucky
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Whitley County, Kentucky

Whitley County excels nationally

Whitley County's composite score of 76.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by more than 53%, positioning it among the most livable U.S. counties. This achievement is driven by exceptionally low housing costs and favorable taxes.

Whitley County ranks above state peers

Whitley County scores 76.5, exceeding Kentucky's state average of 75.0 by 1.5 points. This places it in the upper-middle tier of the Commonwealth's counties.

Affordability is exceptional

Whitley County's cost score of 87.4 reflects outstanding housing affordability, with median home values of $120,600 and rent at just $720 monthly. The tax score of 83.8 and effective tax rate of 0.657% further enhance financial appeal.

Income opportunities severely limited

Whitley County's income score of only 10.6 reflects a median household income of $41,719, among the lowest in this group. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable.

Ideal for retirees seeking stability

Whitley County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and those with fixed incomes who can thrive on limited local wages. The remarkable housing affordability and reasonable tax burden make it an excellent value for anyone not dependent on county employment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.8Cost87.4SafetyComing SoonHealth60.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.6Risk37.8WaterComing Soon
🏛83.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡37.8
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 Whitley County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Haralson County
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Median income: $65,016
White County
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Median income: $69,747
Stark County
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Median income: $62,284

Deep Dives

Whitley County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Whitley County

via TaxByCounty

Whitley County taxes: Below national median

Whitley County's effective tax rate of 0.657% sits below the national median of 0.84%, placing the county in the lower half of U.S. jurisdictions. At $792 annually, median property taxes here are less than 30% of the national median of $2,690.

Well below Kentucky's average rate

Whitley County's 0.657% effective rate ranks in the bottom third of Kentucky's 120 counties, about 9% below the state average of 0.719%. The median tax of $792 falls significantly below Kentucky's state median of $1,093.

Mid-range rates for the region

Whitley County's 0.657% rate sits between Wayne County's 0.578% and Union County's 0.787%, offering moderate taxation for Southeastern Kentucky. It trails Warren County's 0.642% slightly but exceeds Washington County's 0.716% by a small margin.

Median home: $792 annual tax

With the median home valued at $120,600, Whitley County homeowners pay roughly $792 per year in property taxes. Including mortgage escrow, annual costs total approximately $1,103.

Free appeals can lower your bill

Whitley County homeowners should review their property assessments—many discover inflated valuations eligible for reduction. Filing an appeal through the local assessor's office costs nothing and requires no attorney.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Whitley County

via CostByCounty

Whitley County: affordability crisis looms

Whitley County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.7% far exceeds the national average, signaling a severe affordability squeeze for renters. With median household income of just $41,719 and monthly rent of $720, residents here spend a distressing share of earnings on housing.

Among Kentucky's worst-hit counties

Whitley County's 20.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's highest, significantly surpassing Kentucky's 17.0% average. The burden reflects a combination of limited local income and housing costs that remain stubbornly high relative to earnings.

Worse off than most peers

Whitley County's 20.7% rent burden exceeds all nearby counties except Wolfe (20.9%), and its $41,719 median income trails neighbors like Union ($60,989) and Warren ($64,801). The dual challenge of low wages and moderate rents creates acute hardship for renters here.

20.7% of minimal income to rent

Whitley County residents allocate roughly $720 monthly—20.7% of a median household income of $41,719—to rent, leaving just $2,640 for all other needs. Homeowners face lower absolute costs at $539 monthly on properties worth around $120,600, though this still represents a substantial claim on limited incomes.

Move only with secure employment

Relocating to Whitley County requires confidence in strong, stable local employment—the county's affordability crisis stems from wage scarcity, not rent. Before moving, secure a job that pays significantly above the county median to avoid the housing burden facing most residents.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Whitley County

via IncomeByCounty

Whitley County faces deep income poverty

Whitley County's median household income of $41,719 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $33,036, a 44% gap. This severe shortfall places Whitley among America's most economically distressed counties, with median earners living well below national benchmarks.

Among Kentucky's poorest counties

Whitley County's $41,719 median runs $14,190 below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, positioning it in the lowest fifth of the state's counties. The county faces persistent economic decline and limited employment opportunity.

Deepest poverty in the region

Whitley County ($41,719) mirrors Wayne County ($41,933) as the regional income floor, trailing all peers except Wolfe County ($29,052). This concentration of low-income counties signals a regional economic crisis requiring intervention beyond individual household action.

Housing costs crush limited incomes

Whitley County's 20.7% rent-to-income ratio is the second-highest in the region, indicating severe housing-cost burden on already-stretched budgets. A median home value of $120,600 pushes homeownership beyond reach for many median-earning families.

Prioritize income stability and skills

Whitley County households must aggressively pursue education, certification, and job transitions to increase earnings above the county median. Even modest income growth can unlock homeownership, retirement savings, and financial resilience in this economically fragile county.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Whitley County

via HealthByCounty

Whitley County's longevity lags nationally

At 68.5 years, Whitley County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 71.4 years by nearly 3 years. The county's 24.7% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 21%, placing Whitley among America's health-challenged regions.

Below-average Kentucky health rank

Whitley County's 68.5-year life expectancy ranks 3.7 years below Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years, placing it among the state's lowest performers. This gap signals significant, preventable health challenges.

Surprising provider strength masks barriers

Whitley County's life expectancy ranks near the bottom of its region, well below neighbors like Union County (73.3 years) and Washington County (74.2 years). Paradoxically, the county boasts exceptionally high mental health provider density (1,803 per 100,000—the highest in the region), yet this resource hasn't translated to better longevity, suggesting systemic barriers beyond access.

Low uninsured rate, complex barriers

Whitley County's 6.7% uninsured rate is below Kentucky's 7.0% average, and the county offers 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well above state norms. Yet despite strong provider availability, the county's 68.5-year life expectancy suggests barriers like poverty, substance abuse, or social determinants are limiting the impact of healthcare access.

Keep coverage, address root causes

With 6.7% uninsured, Whitley County has solid coverage, but healthcare alone can't solve the county's health crisis—systemic barriers like poverty and substance abuse require community investment alongside medicine. Ensure you maintain insurance and connect with local health centers for comprehensive services including behavioral health and social support.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Whitley County

via RiskByCounty

Whitley County faces above-average disaster risks

Whitley County's composite risk score of 62.21 ranks as Relatively Low but exceeds the national average for natural disasters. Wildfire risk of 85.11 is notably elevated, making the county an exception among Kentucky counties.

Upper-tier risk among Kentucky counties

Whitley County's score of 62.21 significantly exceeds Kentucky's average of 44.21, placing it among the state's riskier counties. This positions Whitley well above most peers but below the highest-risk Warren County (88.49).

Distinctly riskier than surrounding counties

Whitley County's score of 62.21 far exceeds safer neighbors like Wayne County (54.68), Washington County (16.73), and Laurel County. However, it remains somewhat safer than the state's most hazardous areas in western Kentucky.

Wildfires and floods threaten Whitley residents

Wildfire risk of 85.11 is exceptionally high for Kentucky, reflecting the county's forested terrain and dry-season exposure. Flood risk of 71.09 and tornado risk of 63.99 round out a multi-hazard profile requiring active preparation.

Wildfire defense is essential in Whitley County

Create a defensible space around your home by clearing dead vegetation and overhanging branches at least 30 feet out. Obtain flood insurance if near streams, and install a metal roof or fire-resistant shingles to reduce wildfire vulnerability.

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.