Best small towns to live in Kentucky

1. 1
   Marion, KY Score 78/100

   2,886 people · typical home $97k · household income $39k · 59 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 26% of KY · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Lewisport, KY Score 75/100

   2,057 people · typical home $138k · household income $56k · 18 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 26% of KY · 5.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Tompkinsville, KY Score 74/100

   2,613 people · typical home $99k · household income $39k · 40 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 14% of KY · 7.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Coal Run Village, KY Score 73/100

   1,724 people · typical home $132k · household income $53k · 10 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 29% of KY · 7.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Benton, KY Score 73/100

   4,748 people · typical home $157k · household income $67k · 11 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 62% of KY · 4.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Lawrenceburg, KY Score 72/100

   11,943 people · typical home $201k · household income $66k · 26 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 39% of KY · 2.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Hawesville, KY Score 71/100

   1,188 people · typical home $153k · household income $50k · 22 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 35% of KY · 4.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   North Corbin, KY Score 70/100

   2,190 people · typical home $158k · household income $51k · 62 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 14% of KY · 2.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Cloverport, KY Score 70/100

   1,133 people · typical home $85k · household income $37k · 30 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 18% of KY · 11.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Fulton, KY Score 69/100

    2,378 people · typical home $56k · household income $36k · 107 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 40% of KY · 2.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Annville, KY Score 69/100

    1,063 people · typical home $87k · household income $56k · schools in the top 44% of KY · 2.0% unemployment · 16 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Mount Vernon, KY Score 68/100

    2,398 people · typical home $111k · household income $39k · 36 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 48% of KY · 4.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Burkesville, KY Score 67/100

    1,454 people · typical home $117k · household income $34k · 30 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 46% of KY · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Hardinsburg, KY Score 66/100

    2,327 people · typical home $151k · household income $56k · 43 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 30% of KY · 5.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Hartford, KY Score 65/100

    2,649 people · typical home $107k · household income $61k · 120 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of KY · 3.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Junction City, KY Score 65/100

    2,643 people · typical home $117k · household income $46k · 28 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of KY · 7.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Wilmore, KY Score 64/100

    6,057 people · typical home $249k · household income $78k · 33 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 35% of KY · 3.0% unemployment · 10 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Stearns, KY Score 63/100

    1,271 people · typical home $161k · household income $56k · 12 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 44% of KY · 6.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Princeton, KY Score 63/100

    6,241 people · typical home $97k · household income $47k · 101 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 46% of KY · 5.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Earlington, KY Score 61/100

    1,084 people · typical home $64k · household income $38k · 84 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 53% of KY · 5.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Eddyville, KY Score 60/100

    2,897 people · typical home $188k · household income $56k · schools in the top 18% of KY · 3.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Hodgenville, KY Score 60/100

    3,389 people · typical home $151k · household income $58k · 148 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 25% of KY · 0.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Versailles, KY Score 60/100

    10,492 people · typical home $286k · household income $62k · 54 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 11% of KY · 3.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Sebree, KY Score 59/100

    1,825 people · typical home $107k · household income $59k · 46 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 74% of KY · 1.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Mayfield, KY Score 59/100

    9,868 people · typical home $113k · household income $41k · 197 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 29% of KY · 3.0% unemployment · 0 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Kentucky with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Kentucky on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Kentucky districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Kentucky →