Webster
Kentucky

What stands out

What stands out about Webster County: the share working from home is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2%), violent crime is in the top 5% of American counties (5.0 per 1,000), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 6% of American counties (1.4 years of income). Within Kentucky it ranks 5th of 120 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Webster County, Kentucky. 12,951 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -14).

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 $55,451 a year, lower than 66% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,524. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 67% of American counties. 2% 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 $1,941 a year.

Home

The median home costs $145K, cheaper than 86% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $708 a month. Property tax is 1.00% of home value, roughly $867 a year on that median home, higher than 60% 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 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.9 years, shorter than 88% of American counties. There are 4 active physicians in the county, about 3.1 per 10,000 people. 9.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.99 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 53% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 52 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 62% 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 59°F, highs near 69 and lows near 48, warmer than 62% of American counties. About 51 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 51 out of 100, riskier than 51% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 181 Mbps down, slower than 58% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.