Knox County
KY · Pop. 30,034 · Suburban County
Knox County is a suburban county in Kentucky, spanning 386 square miles with 30,034 residents at a density of 77.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $109,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.74% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F and average winter lows of 24.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Barbourville Arh Hospital is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.74% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $109,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Barbourville Arh Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 50.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A poverty rate of 36.7% 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
Knox County, KY is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 78/100
- Median home price
- $109k
- Property tax
- 0.74%
- Growing season
- 178 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.8"
- Broadband
- 91.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Barbourville Arh Hospital, 2.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Knox County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Knox County?
- Knox County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F, and average winter lows of 24.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $109,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Barbourville Arh Hospital is 2.7 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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