Bracken County
KY · Pop. 8,427 · Suburban County
Bracken County sits in Kentucky across 203 square miles, home to 8,427 people at 41.5 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $116,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.94% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 194-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F and average winter lows of 24.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 40 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Meadowview Regional Medical Center is 16.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 66% of homes.
Pros
- A long 194-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.94% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $116,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Annual rainfall of 40 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Broadband reaches only 66% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Meadowview Regional Medical Center, is 16.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 20.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Bracken County, KY is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 71/100
- Median home price
- $116k
- Property tax
- 0.94%
- Growing season
- 194 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 40"
- Broadband
- 66%
- Nearest hospital
- Meadowview Regional Medical Center, 16.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bracken County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bracken County?
- Bracken County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 194-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F, and average winter lows of 24.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $116,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.94%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 66% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Meadowview Regional Medical Center is 16.8 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Kentucky Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Kentucky
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The closest counties to Bracken County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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