Powell County
KY · Pop. 13,057 · Suburban County
Powell County sits in Kentucky across 179 square miles, home to 13,057 people at 72.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $142,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.58% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 84°F and average winter lows of 24.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital is 10.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $142,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Annual rainfall of 48.1 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital, is 10.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 21.7% 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
Powell County, KY is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 75/100
- Median home price
- $142k
- Property tax
- 0.58%
- Growing season
- 173 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.1"
- Broadband
- 85.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital, 10.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Powell County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Powell County?
- Powell County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 84°F, and average winter lows of 24.6°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $142,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 85.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital is 10.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Kentucky Resources
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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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