McCreary County
KY · Pop. 16,905 · Suburban County
McCreary County, Kentucky covers 427 square miles with a population of 16,905 and a density of 39.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, sweet corn. The median home price is $77,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.73%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F and average winter lows of 24.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 52.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Big South Fork Medical Center is 15.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.73% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $77,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Annual rainfall of 52.4 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.
- The nearest hospital, Big South Fork Medical Center, is 15.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 35.1% 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
McCreary County, KY is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 86/100
- Median home price
- $77k
- Property tax
- 0.73%
- Growing season
- 184 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 52.4"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Big South Fork Medical Center, 15.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in McCreary County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in McCreary County?
- McCreary County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F, and average winter lows of 24.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sweet corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $77,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.73%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Big South Fork Medical Center is 15.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Kentucky Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Kentucky
All Kentucky countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to McCreary 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.