Laurel County
KY · Pop. 62,731 · Mixed County
Laurel County sits in Kentucky across 434 square miles, home to 62,731 people at 144.5 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $143,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.59%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.2°F and average winter lows of 28.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. CHI Saint Joseph London is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.5% 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 long 189-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.59% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $143,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- CHI Saint Joseph London, with an emergency room, is just 0.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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 21.3% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Laurel County, KY is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 71/100
- Median home price
- $143k
- Property tax
- 0.59%
- Growing season
- 189 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.4"
- Broadband
- 94.5%
- Nearest hospital
- CHI Saint Joseph London, 0.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Laurel County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Laurel County?
- Laurel County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.2°F, and average winter lows of 28.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $143,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.59%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- CHI Saint Joseph London is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Kentucky Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Kentucky
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The closest counties to Laurel 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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