Carter
Kentucky

What stands out

If you had to describe Carter County in numbers, start here: unemployment is among the highest in America (7.0%), violent crime is in the top 2% of American counties (5.3 per 1,000), and the overdose death rate is in the top 5% of American counties (42 per 100,000). Within Kentucky it ranks 6th of 120 counties for unemployment.

Where you are

You live in Carter County, Kentucky. 26,671 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +194).

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 $47,004 a year, lower than 85% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,562. Unemployment runs 7.0%, higher than almost every county in America. 3% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

Kentucky takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,645 a year.

Home

The median home costs $159K, cheaper than 81% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $631 a month. Property tax is 0.50% of home value, roughly $606 a year on that median home, lower than 88% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 98% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 42 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.8 years, shorter than 89% of American counties. There are 10 active physicians in the county, about 3.7 per 10,000 people. 8.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.22 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 73% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 53 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 56% 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 44, colder than 51% of American counties. About 49 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 50 out of 100, riskier than 50% of American counties; the county has had 37 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 190 Mbps down, slower than 54% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.