Estill County
KY · Pop. 14,079 · Suburban County
Estill County sits in Kentucky across 253 square miles, home to 14,079 people at 55.6 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $112,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.69% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F and average winter lows of 24.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital is 1.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.69% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $112,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 48.7 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A poverty rate of 22% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Estill County, KY is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 91/100
- Median home price
- $112k
- Property tax
- 0.69%
- Growing season
- 182 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.7"
- Broadband
- 83.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital, 1.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Estill County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Estill County?
- Estill County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F, and average winter lows of 24.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $112,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.69%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 83.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital is 1.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Kentucky
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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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