Russell County
KY · Pop. 18,117 · Suburban County
Russell County, Kentucky covers 253 square miles with a population of 18,117 and a density of 71.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $148,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.59% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 177-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F and average winter lows of 25.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 52.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Russell County Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.59% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $148,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Russell County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 52.6 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A poverty rate of 23.4% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Russell County, KY is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 91/100
- Median home price
- $148k
- Property tax
- 0.59%
- Growing season
- 177 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 52.6"
- Broadband
- 99.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Russell County Hospital, 4.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Russell County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Russell County?
- Russell County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 177-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F, and average winter lows of 25.4°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $148,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.59%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Russell County Hospital is 4.7 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Kentucky
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The closest counties to Russell 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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