countyscore
71.5
County Score
Cost of Living 99.3Safety 87.4Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Wolfe County, Kentucky

An Elite National Score

Wolfe County achieves a composite score of 71.0, placing it in the top tier of counties nationwide compared to the 50.0 median. This score highlights an exceptional balance of safety and extreme affordability.

One of Kentucky's Best

With a 71.0 score, Wolfe County far surpasses the Kentucky state average of 58.6. It is a standout performer in the state, particularly regarding its low tax and cost profiles.

Extreme Affordability and Safety

Wolfe County earns a near-perfect cost score of 99.3 and a safety score of 87.4. With a median home value of $66,400 and rent at $507, it is one of the most budget-friendly places in America.

Persistent Economic Hardship

The income score is nearly zero at 0.1, reflecting a very low median household income of $29,052. Health outcomes are also a concern, with the health score currently sitting at 22.9.

Best for Extreme Budgeting

Wolfe County is a haven for those who need to minimize their living expenses above all else. It is ideal for those who value safety and rural beauty but do not rely on a high-wage local job market.

2040608010078.899.387.422.9740.181.58666.7Tax78.8Cost99.3Safety87.4Health22.9Schools74Income0.1Risk81.5Water86Weather66.771.5/100
This county
National avg
7 above average2 below average

Wolfe County DNA

Coverall

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

Wolfe County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Cost of Living (99.3/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
78.8+26.799999999999997
Cost
99.3+51.3
Safety
87.4+32.400000000000006
Health
22.9-27.1
Schools
74+20
Income
0.1-50.9
Risk
81.5+34.5
Water
86+28
Weather
66.7+10.700000000000003
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Think property taxes are too high in Wolfe County?

Many homeowners in Wolfe County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$75,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$501/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$75,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$20,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $30,417/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.4

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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Counties with similar scores

Carter County
Montana
Median income: $54,167
71.4
Golden Valley County
North Dakota
Median income: $68,021
71.6
Murray County
Minnesota
Median income: $74,033
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Grant County
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Median income: $70,147
71.7
Kidder County
North Dakota
Median income: $65,610
71.3
Nelson County
North Dakota
Median income: $67,193
71.7
Wahkiakum County
Washington
Median income: $62,653
71.7
Gosper County
Nebraska
Median income: $77,500
71.8

Nearby counties

Menifee County
Kentucky
68.3
Lee County
Kentucky
61.5
Morgan County
Kentucky
63.6
Breathitt County
Kentucky
60.9
Powell County
Kentucky
59.1
Magoffin County
Kentucky
63.2
Owsley County
Kentucky
68.4
Estill County
Kentucky
58.7

Deep Dives

Wolfe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wolfe County

via TaxByCounty

Wolfe County offers ultra-low taxes

Wolfe County's effective tax rate of 0.589% ranks among America's lowest-tax jurisdictions, significantly below the national median of 0.84%. At just $391 annually, Wolfe County homeowners pay less than 15% of the national median property tax of $2,690.

Second-lowest taxes in Kentucky

Wolfe County ranks second to Wayne County with a 0.589% effective rate, sitting 18% below Kentucky's state average of 0.719%. The median property tax of $391 is the second-lowest in the state, a mere 36% of Kentucky's median of $1,093.

Among the region's tax bargains

Wolfe County's 0.589% rate trails only Wayne County's 0.578% in the broader region, beating Whitley County at 0.657%, Washington County at 0.716%, Union County at 0.787%, and Webster County at 0.985%. For rural Appalachian Kentucky, Wolfe offers exceptional tax advantages.

Just $391 on median home annually

The median Wolfe County home, valued at $66,400, triggers approximately $391 in annual property taxes—among the state's lowest. Adding mortgage escrow, the estimated annual bill reaches roughly $548.

Appeal your assessment today

Even with low rates, Wolfe County homeowners should verify their assessments match reality—overages do occur. A no-cost appeal can identify errors and ensure you're paying only what you owe.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wolfe County

via IncomeByCounty

Wolfe County in deepest economic crisis

Wolfe County's median household income of $29,052 represents a staggering 61% gap below the U.S. median of $74,755, the largest deficit among all peer counties. This extreme poverty signals severe structural challenges and economic abandonment in Kentucky's Appalachian heartland.

Kentucky's poorest county in this cohort

Wolfe County's $29,052 median runs $26,857 below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, making it the lowest-earning county in this analysis. The county represents an economic emergency requiring comprehensive intervention.

Isolated by extreme poverty

Wolfe County ($29,052) stands alone at the economic bottom, trailing even struggling Wayne County ($41,933) and Whitley County ($41,719) by thousands of dollars. This isolation signals unique vulnerability to population loss, youth out-migration, and systemic collapse.

Housing barely affordable at any price

Wolfe County's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio nears the affordability crisis threshold, with the median home value of only $66,400 indicating a community in advanced economic decline. Even the cheapest housing strains the budgets of median-earning Wolfe County families.

Focus on survival and opportunity seeking

Wolfe County households must prioritize securing stable employment, pursuing remote work opportunities, and accessing regional job centers beyond county boundaries. Wealth-building requires either significant income increases or targeted relocation to economically healthier communities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Wolfe County

via CrimeByCounty

Wolfe County reports minimal crime activity

Wolfe County features a top-tier safety score of 99.6, one of the highest in the region. Its reported crime rate of 273.8 per 100,000 is nearly nine times lower than the national average.

Among the safest reporting areas in Kentucky

The county's crime rate of 273.8 is far below the Kentucky state average of 786.2 per 100,000 residents. Note that these figures come from a single reporting agency and should be interpreted with some caution.

The lowest crime rate in the vicinity

Wolfe County reports significantly less crime than Whitley County, which has a rate of 368.3 per 100,000. It stands as a very quiet community even compared to other safe Kentucky counties.

Zero reported violent crime in recent data

The county reported a violent crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents for 2022, a rare distinction. All 273.8 reported incidents per 100,000 were property-related crimes.

Smart security for a quiet county

Because all reported crimes are property-related, residents should focus on basic security like locking doors and windows. Even with zero reported violent crime, staying aware of local trends remains important.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Wolfe County

via SoilByCounty

Understanding Wolfe County's Unknown Soils

Wolfe County does not have specific soil taxonomy or pH data available in current county-level summaries. For planning purposes, note that the Kentucky state average pH of 5.8 is significantly more acidic than the national 6.5 median.

Assessing Soil Texture by Hand

There are no recorded percentages for sand, silt, or clay for the dominant soils in this area. Gardeners can use a simple ribbon test to feel the clay content and determine how easy the ground is to work.

Optimizing Land for Native Growth

Specific organic matter and Available Water Capacity figures are missing for Wolfe County. Aiming for the state's 3.55% organic matter average can help you transform even the most mysterious soil into a productive garden.

Navigating Local Water Challenges

The lack of official drainage and hydrologic data means local site assessments are critical. Before starting a building project or planting an orchard, observe how quickly your land sheds water during the wet season.

Long Growing Seasons in Zone 7a

Wolfe County’s location in Hardiness Zone 7a supports a diverse range of agricultural and gardening activities. Grab a shovel and start exploring your soil to see what this temperate climate can produce.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Wolfe County

via LawnByCounty

Top-Tier Lawn Conditions in Wolfe County

Wolfe County is a standout for Kentucky lawn care with a difficulty score of 70.0. This makes it significantly easier to maintain a healthy lawn here than in the average American county, which scores a 50.0 on the same scale.

Gentle Summers and Steady Rain

The local climate features 50.3 inches of annual rain and only 20 days of extreme heat, mimicking the state's average rainfall while offering much cooler summers. This combination is ideal for cool-season grasses that typically struggle in the Kentucky heat.

Natural Advantages in the Soil

Specific local soil data is currently unavailable, but the general success of local lawns points to a hospitable growing environment. We advise checking for proper drainage to ensure the 50.3 inches of rain doesn't lead to standing water or root rot.

The Gold Standard for Drought Resilience

Wolfe County is remarkably resilient, with only two weeks of drought recorded over the entire past year. Currently, 0.0% of the county is dry, meaning homeowners rarely have to worry about water restrictions or scorched turf.

Embrace the Green in Wolfe County

In Zone 7a, a mix of Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass will thrive with minimal intervention. Take advantage of the mild summer and consistent rainfall by starting your lawn project during the temperate spring or fall months.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wolfe County's county score?
Wolfe County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 71.5 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 Wolfe County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Wolfe County ranks #4 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 Wolfe County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Wolfe County is $414, with an effective tax rate of 0.55%. This earns Wolfe County a tax score of 78.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Wolfe County?
The median household income in Wolfe County, Kentucky is $30,417 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Wolfe County earns an income score of 0.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Wolfe County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Wolfe County scores 71.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #4 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Wolfe 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 Wolfe 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.