Ballard
Kentucky

What stands out

Three things set Ballard County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the share working from home is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2%), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 6% of American counties (1.4 years of income). Within Kentucky it ranks 3rd of 120 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Ballard County, Kentucky. 7,742 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +11).

Kentucky moved to a flat income tax, 3.5% for 2026, and exempts the first $31,110 of pension and retirement income per person. It has an inheritance tax, but spouses, children, parents and siblings are exempt. Home prices are among the lowest in the country outside Louisville and Lexington, and the state has some of the cheapest electricity, much of it still coal-fired.

Money

The typical household here brings in $57,111 a year, lower than 61% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $63,982. Unemployment runs 4.8%, higher than 87% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home.

Kentucky takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,999 a year.

Home

The median home costs $132K, cheaper than 90% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $806 a month. Property tax is 0.91% of home value, roughly $931 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.8 per 1,000 residents, higher than 90% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 74.0 years, shorter than 70% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 1.3 per 10,000 people. 6.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.79 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 81% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 60 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Kentucky law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 60°F, highs near 70 and lows near 49, warmer than 66% of American counties. About 54 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 45 out of 100, safer than 55% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 169 Mbps down, slower than 63% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.