Spencer County
KY · Pop. 19,875 · Mixed County
Spencer County sits in Kentucky across 187 square miles, home to 19,875 people at 106.3 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $298,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.71%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F and average winter lows of 22°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Uofl Health - Shelbyville Hospital is 13.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 78.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.71% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Annual rainfall of 47.3 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 7.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- A 163-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 78.1% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Uofl Health - Shelbyville Hospital, is 13.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Spencer County, KY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 52/100
- Median home price
- $298k
- Property tax
- 0.71%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.3"
- Broadband
- 78.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Uofl Health - Shelbyville Hospital, 13.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Spencer County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Spencer County?
- Spencer County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F, and average winter lows of 22°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $298,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.71%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 78.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Uofl Health - Shelbyville Hospital is 13.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Kentucky Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Kentucky
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The closest counties to Spencer 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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