Wolfe County's composite score of 79.2 ranks it 58% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the very top tier of U.S. counties. This exceptional score reflects world-class housing affordability despite severe income constraints.
2 / 5
Wolfe County leads Kentucky
Wolfe County's score of 79.2 significantly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0 by over 5 points, ranking it among the state's best-performing counties. This leadership position reflects its distinctive affordability profile.
3 / 5
Housing and taxes are unmatched
Wolfe County's cost score of 93.6 is the highest in this entire group, with median home values of just $66,400 and rent at only $507 monthly. The tax score of 85.7 and effective tax rate of 0.589% further cement its affordability leadership.
4 / 5
Income crisis demands attention
Wolfe County's income score of just 2.4 reflects a median household income of $29,052—the lowest by far in this group and well below subsistence for most families. Safety, health, schools, and water data are not yet available.
5 / 5
Only for those with outside income
Wolfe County offers rock-bottom living costs for retirees, remote workers, or those with substantial investment income—but not for job seekers. The extraordinarily low housing costs make it viable only for residents who do not depend on local employment.
Wolfe County's composite score of 79.2 ranks it 58% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the very top tier of U.S. counties. This exceptional score reflects world-class housing affordability despite severe income constraints.
Wolfe County leads Kentucky
Wolfe County's score of 79.2 significantly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 75.0 by over 5 points, ranking it among the state's best-performing counties. This leadership position reflects its distinctive affordability profile.
Housing and taxes are unmatched
Wolfe County's cost score of 93.6 is the highest in this entire group, with median home values of just $66,400 and rent at only $507 monthly. The tax score of 85.7 and effective tax rate of 0.589% further cement its affordability leadership.
Income crisis demands attention
Wolfe County's income score of just 2.4 reflects a median household income of $29,052—the lowest by far in this group and well below subsistence for most families. Safety, health, schools, and water data are not yet available.
Only for those with outside income
Wolfe County offers rock-bottom living costs for retirees, remote workers, or those with substantial investment income—but not for job seekers. The extraordinarily low housing costs make it viable only for residents who do not depend on local employment.
Score breakdown
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🏛85.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Wolfe County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.9% represents one of the nation's worst housing affordability scenarios, driven by an exceptionally low median household income of $29,052. At $507 monthly rent, even modest housing costs consume over one-fifth of residents' limited earnings.
Kentucky's most challenged county
Wolfe County's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the absolute worst in Kentucky, far exceeding the state average of 17.0%. The county faces a fundamental economic challenge: extremely limited household incomes make even affordable rents feel burdensome.
The region's deepest crisis
Wolfe County's $29,052 median income stands dramatically below neighboring counties—less than half of Union ($60,989) or Warren ($64,801). Its 20.9% rent burden edges out even Whitley (20.7%), making it the most strained housing market in the region.
20.9% of minimal income to shelter
Wolfe County residents spend approximately $507 monthly—20.9% of a median household income of just $29,052—on rent, leaving only $1,897 for all other expenses. Homeowners pay $391 monthly on properties valued near $66,400, Kentucky's lowest median home price, yet this represents a heavy burden on minimal incomes.
Reconsider unless work brings you
Wolfe County's 20.9% rent burden reflects deeper economic challenges rooted in limited job opportunities and minimal wages across the county. Only relocate here if you've secured employment that significantly exceeds the county median income—otherwise, the housing burden will prove unsustainable.
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.
At 65.5 years, Wolfe County's life expectancy ranks 5.9 years below the U.S. average of 71.4 years—among the lowest in America. The county's 35.5% poor or fair health rate is nearly double the national average of 21%, indicating a health emergency.
Kentucky's most serious health crisis
Wolfe County's 65.5-year life expectancy ranks 6.7 years below Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years—the lowest in the state's dataset. With over one-third of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county faces an urgent public health challenge.
Isolated in regional health struggle
Wolfe County's life expectancy is dramatically lower than all regional peers—Union County (73.3 years), Warren County (75.3 years), and even Webster County (70.1 years). The county's 31 primary care providers and 223 mental health providers per 100,000 residents offer modest care infrastructure, but this hasn't reversed the health crisis.
Coverage exists but barriers remain
Wolfe County's 7.6% uninsured rate mirrors Kentucky's state average, and the county provides 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—suggesting coverage and access shouldn't be bottlenecks. Yet the devastating 65.5-year life expectancy and 35.5% poor/fair health rate point to deeper crises: poverty, substance abuse, or lack of trust in the healthcare system itself.
Coverage is step one of recovery
Wolfe County residents without insurance should enroll at healthcare.gov or contact local health centers immediately—coverage opens doors to treatment for chronic disease and substance use disorder. Beyond insurance, the county needs sustained investment in mental health, addiction services, and economic opportunity to reverse its health trajectory.
Wolfe County's composite risk score of 18.54 earns a Very Low rating and sits far below the national average for natural disasters. Low tornado and earthquake risk provide residents with uncommon protection from major hazards.
Third-safest county in Kentucky
Wolfe County's score of 18.54 ranks near the bottom of Kentucky's risk scale, well below the state average of 44.21. Only Washington County (16.73) and Webster County (29.23) show comparable safety.
Safest in east-central Kentucky
Wolfe County's score of 18.54 nearly matches Washington County (16.73) as the region's safest area. By contrast, nearby Whitley County (62.21) and Wayne County (54.68) carry substantially higher risk profiles.
Wildfires and floods pose modest exposure
Wildfire risk of 63.80 is Wolfe County's notable hazard, reflecting its Appalachian forest landscape and seasonal dry periods. Flood risk of 42.62 remains manageable, while tornado risk of 21.41 is among the state's lowest.
Wildfire awareness key for Wolfe County
Maintain clearance around your property to reduce wildfire risk, and consider fire-resistant landscaping in the dry season. Standard homeowners insurance covers most exposures in Wolfe County's favorable risk environment.