Lincoln
Kentucky

What stands out

Against every county in America, Lincoln County is unusual in three ways: rainfall is among the wettest in America (68 inches a year), the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 2% of American counties (0.2 per 1,000), and violent crime is in the top 3% of American counties (5.2 per 1,000). Within Kentucky it ranks 3rd of 120 counties for rainfall.

Where you are

You live in Lincoln County, Kentucky. 24,320 people live here with you. The population grew 1.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +428).

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 $49,487 a year, lower than 80% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,735. Unemployment runs 4.7%, higher than 85% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 29 minutes each way.

Kentucky takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,732 a year.

Home

The median home costs $187K, cheaper than 68% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $604 a month. Property tax is 0.76% of home value, roughly $983 a year on that median home, lower than 60% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 97% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 32 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.2 years, shorter than 92% of American counties. There are 12 active physicians in the county, about 4.9 per 10,000 people. 10.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.74 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 85% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 57 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% 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 46, warmer than 53% of American counties. About 68 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 22 out of 100, safer than 78% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 215 Mbps down, faster than 57% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.