Bath
Kentucky

What stands out

Against every county in America, Bath County is unusual in three ways: the restaurant count per person is among the fewest in America (0.2 per 1,000), the overdose death rate is in the top 3% of American counties (47 per 100,000), and rainfall is in the top 4% of American counties (58 inches a year). Within Kentucky it ranks 5th of 106 counties for the restaurant count per person, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Bath County, Kentucky. 12,739 people live here with you. The population grew 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +185).

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 $51,471 a year, lower than 76% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,539. Unemployment runs 5.2%, higher than 91% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 30 minutes each way.

Kentucky takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,801 a year.

Home

The median home costs $182K, cheaper than 71% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $590 a month. Property tax is 0.82% of home value, roughly $830 a year on that median home, lower than 54% of American counties. 72% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 95% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 47 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 70.6 years, shorter than 95% of American counties. There are 6 active physicians in the county, about 4.7 per 10,000 people. 10.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.32 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 93% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 43 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 61% 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 56°F, highs near 67 and lows near 45, warmer than 50% of American counties. About 58 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 17 out of 100, safer than 83% of American counties; the county has had 29 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 259 Mbps down, faster than 79% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 0.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.