Owsley County
KY · Pop. 4,021 · Rural County
Owsley County, Kentucky covers 197 square miles with a population of 4,021 and a density of 20.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, tomatoes, melons. A median home price of $80,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.7% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.9°F and average winter lows of 23.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Adventhealth Manchester is 18.5 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.7% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $80,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 20.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- Annual rainfall of 48.5 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, Adventhealth Manchester, is 18.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 24.9% 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
Owsley County, KY is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 93/100
- Median home price
- $80k
- Property tax
- 0.7%
- Growing season
- 182 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.5"
- Broadband
- 99.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Adventhealth Manchester, 18.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Owsley County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Owsley County?
- Owsley County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.9°F, and average winter lows of 23.8°F. The established crops are hay, tomatoes, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $80,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.7%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Adventhealth Manchester is 18.5 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Kentucky Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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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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