← Map/← Kentucky/Counties/Elliott

Elliott
Kentucky

7K

Population

$39K

Median Income

$153K

Median Home

R+51

Politics

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What stands out

If you had to describe Elliott County in numbers, start here: unemployment is among the highest in America (8.0%), violent crime is among the highest in America (5.5 per 1,000), and the overdose death rate is in the top 2% of American counties (57 per 100,000). Within Kentucky it ranks 2nd of 120 counties for unemployment.

Where you are

You live in Elliott County, Kentucky. 7,378 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -4).

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 $39,469 a year, lower than 94% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,029. Unemployment runs 8.0%, higher than almost every county in America. 8% of workers work from home.

Kentucky takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,381 a year.

Home

The median home costs $163K, cheaper than 79% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $866 a month. Property tax is 0.68% of home value, roughly $617 a year on that median home, lower than 67% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.5 per 1,000 residents, higher than almost every county in America. Drug overdoses killed 57 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.8 years, shorter than 51% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 2.7 per 10,000 people. 9.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.89 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 76% of American counties. 75% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 51 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 49% 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 51 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 8 out of 100, safer than 92% of American counties; the county has had 34 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 315 Mbps down, faster than 98% of American counties.

Written from the figures below. Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure; missing figures are left out rather than guessed.

Economy

Median Household Income$39K
This county
national avg ~$75K
Poverty Rate27.2%
This county
national avg ~11.5%
Unemployment Rate8.0%
This county
national avg ~3.8%
GDP per Capita$14,894
Federal Spending per Capita$28
Median Individual Earnings$32K
This county
national avg $45K
Professional/Management Workers30.8%
Average Adjusted Gross Income$46K
Avg Credit Score649
Work From Home %7.7%
This county
national avg 17.0%
Population Under 1817.3%
This county
national avg 22.0%
Single-Person Households27.4%
This county
national avg 28.0%
Banks & Finance Firms3
Income (20th Percentile)$15K
Income (80th Percentile)$79K
Income (95th Percentile)$128K
Bachelor's Degree or Higher10.2%
This county
national avg 34.3%
Less Than High School24.6%
This county
national avg 11.0%
Knowledge Economy GDP %3.1%
Dependency Ratio0.61
Medicare Spending / Person$2,248
SS Benefits / Person$3,782
Education Wage Premium1.29x
Median Earnings (Bachelor's)$41K
Median Earnings (Graduate)$40K
Median Earnings (HS Diploma)$31K
Public Assistance Recipients1.5%
Average Annual Wage$47K
Professional Services Concentration0.17x national
This county
1.0 = national average share
Federal Government Jobs Located Here6
Federal Share of Jobs Located Here0.7%
Residents Who Work for the Federal Government0.0%
Federal Civilian Share of Earnings0.8%
Oil and Gas Share of Earnings (incl. proprietors)0.2%

Housing

Sources: Zillow ZHVI · Census ACS 2022 · Tax Foundation 2023 (effective rates)

Median Home Value$153K
This county
$215K state avg
$303K national
Market Rent (ZORI)$625/mo
This county
$1050/mo state avg
$1400/mo national
Property Tax Rate0.68%
This county
0.78% state avg
1.10% national

Annual tax on median home: $617

Affordability & Supply

HUD Fair Market Rent (2BR)$866/mo
Home Value to Income Ratio1.4x income
Severely Cost-Burdened Households7.8%
Homeownership Rate76.7%
This county
national avg ~65%
Days on Market (Redfin)— Average pace
27 days
Months of Supply (Redfin)— Low inventory — sellers market
0.3 mo
Sold Above List (Redfin)
0.0%
Sale-to-List Ratio (Redfin)— Buyers market — homes selling below list
95.6%

Source: Redfin · Updated monthly

Health

Life Expectancy75.8 yrs
This county
national avg ~78.5 years
Food Insecurity19.7%
This county
national avg ~11%
Primary Care Shortage Score18
This county
national avg 5
Mental Health Shortage Score21
Dental Care Shortage Score20
Healthcare Shortage Score19.7
Healthcare Offices5
Active Physicians2
Nursing Home Rating4.0 / 5
This county
national avg ~3 stars
ER Visits per 1,000 Medicare Patients634 / 1,000
Medicare Cost per Beneficiary$10,300
Uninsured (under 65)9.7%
This county
national avg ~10%

Education

Math Test Scores2.77 grade level
Reading Test Scores3.00 grade level
HS Diploma Holders1,797
Bachelor's Degree Holders387
HS Completion Rate75.4%
This county
national avg ~85%

Safety

Violent Crime Rate5.5 / 1,000
This county
national avg ~4.0
Traffic Fatalities1
Social Vulnerability (CDC SVI)76th pct
Drug Overdose Deaths (2024)57.0 / 100K

Climate & Air Quality

Natural Amenity Scale0.3
January Sunshine-0.80
January Temperature0.14
Average Temp56°F+1.6% since 2022
Avg High Temp67°F+0.7% since 2022
Avg Low Temp44°F+2.8% since 2022
Annual Precipitation51.1 in/yr+8.3% since 2022
Avg Storm Events2.4 storms/yr
Avg Annual Storm Damage$420
Drought Index (2022)0.38
Heating Degree Days4,582 HDD/yr
This county
national avg ~4,500 HDD/yr
Cooling Degree Days1,170 CDD/yr
This county
national avg ~1,200 CDD/yr
Heating Degree Days (1901–2000 Baseline)4,945 HDD/yr
Cooling Degree Days (1901–2000 Baseline)966 CDD/yr
Avg Tornadoes / Year0.0
Avg Flood Events / Year0.0
Avg Hail Events / Year0.0
Avg Hurricane Events / Year0.00
Avg Wildfire Events / Year0.0
Avg Winter Storms / Year0.0
Avg Heat Events / Year0.0
Natural Hazard Risk (FEMA)8 / 100
Community Resilience (FEMA)5 / 100
Federal Disaster Declarations34 since 1953
Fine Particulate Pollution (PM2.5)7.1 µg/m³
This county
EPA standard 9 µg/m³

Outdoor & Recreation

Historic Places (NRHP)1 properties

Internet & Remote Work

Download Speed315 Mbps
This county
national avg ~120 Mbps
Upload Speed295 Mbps
Fixed Internet (Q1 2026)398 Mbps
Mobile Internet (Q1 2026)64 Mbps
Mobile Upload (Q1 2026)8 Mbps
Mobile Latency (Q1 2026)41 ms
Households with 100Mbps+100.0%
This county
national avg 75.0%
Cellular-Only Internet9.0%
This county
national avg 8.0%
Fixed Upload Speed (Q1 2026)345 Mbps

Commute & Transit

Remote Workers139 workers
Public Transit Commuters1 workers
Walk to Work (workers)12 workers
Extreme Commutes (90+ min)172 workers
Walk to Work0.7%

Families & Childcare

Childcare Cost Burden31.7%
This county
national median ~27% of household income
Childcare Centers6.1 per 10K residents

Civic & Community

Voter Turnout49.0%
This county
national avg ~55%
Volunteering Rate1.0%
Income Inequality (Gini)5.252
Nonprofit Organizations21
Veterans Share6.3%
This county
national avg 7.0%
Married Adults47.3%
Never-Married Adults27.9%
Divorced Adults16.4%
Membership Associations0.0 per 10K residents
Debt Burden
Avg Mortgage Balance$39K
Avg Student Loan Balance$9K
Avg Credit Card Balance$3K
Loan Delinquency Rate57.0%
This county
national avg 4.0%

Innovation

Inventor Rate0.08%

Politics

R+51

2024 Presidential · Kentucky was R+26 statewide

vs Kentucky State

Income tax
4%Same (state law)
Property tax
0.68%0.78% state avg
Politics
R+51R+26
COL Index
85state index (no county figure)

Population & Migration

Net Domestic Migration 2023

↓ -4

More people leaving than arriving

IRS Wealth Migration

Lower-income migration pattern (IRS: 0.40x avg income)

Economic Mobility

42%

chance a low-income child reaches the middle class

Source: Opportunity Insights

Real Estate

Find Homes in Elliott County

Median home value: $163K

View on Zillow →View on Realtor.com →

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Explore Other Kentucky Counties

Adair County, KentuckyAllen County, KentuckyBallard County, KentuckyBarren County, KentuckyBath County, KentuckyBell County, KentuckyBoone County, KentuckyBourbon County, KentuckyBoyd County, KentuckyBoyle County, KentuckyBracken County, KentuckyBreathitt County, KentuckyAll Kentucky counties →

Full Kentucky profile

Taxes, cost of living, crime, schools, gun laws and more.

View Kentucky →

Data: Census ACS, BLS, Zillow, USDA Natural Amenities, OpenElections 2024, CMS, NCES. Vintage 2022–2025. News via Google News.

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable