Where are the 10 poorest counties in Kentucky? Here’s an income breakdown
The poorest county in Kentucky has a median income of $31,064, barely over half the commonwealth’s overall median income, according to a recent financial analysis of the wealthiest and poorest spots in the state.
Financial website SmartAsset named Owsley County the poorest in Kentucky in 2025. Fayette County came in the 11th spot overall, with a median income of $67,631.
The most recent ranking reflects data updated in 2025, according to SmartAsset. The company used sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, real estate site Zillow and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to compile the ranking. The three metrics considered included investment income, median home value and median income.
In five of Kentucky’s 10 poorest counties, median incomes are below the threshold needed to afford a typically priced, one-bedroom rental home, according to data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
The NLIHC reports Kentucky residents need to make $36,251 annually to afford such a rental, or $44,647 for a typically priced, two-bedroom rental. Affordable housing is much less accessible to those making minimum wage. At Kentucky’s $7.25 non-tipped minimum wage, the same as the federal minimum, it would take 96 hours of work per week to affordably rent a one-bedroom, or 118 hours per week for a two-bedroom rental.
Inflation and tariffs have further reduced affordability for Kentucky residents. The U.S. has seen a 12-month overall inflation rate of 2.7%, and some categories, such as meat, eggs and utilities, have seen steeper price increases.
Tariffs on goods imported from China, Mexico, Canada and other countries have led to increased consumer prices in the U.S. for common holiday gifts such as games and toys, electronics and more.
Kentucky’s statewide median income is $62,417, according to the Census Bureau, and 15.6% of the commonwealth’s residents live in poverty.
The poorest counties in Kentucky
Here’s how the 10 poorest counties in Kentucky compare, according to SmartAsset:
1. Owsley County
- Median income: $31,064
- Investment income: $13,123
- Median home value: $130,905
- Poverty rate: 33.1% (The poverty level is not used in SmartAsset’s ranking criteria. The poverty rate data is from the Census Bureau.)
2. Bell County
- Median income: $32,403
- Investment income: $21,767
- Median home value: $90,901
- Poverty rate: 28.9%
3. Magoffin County
- Median income: $33,632
- Investment income: $7,138
- Median home value: $117,049
- Poverty rate: 29.2%
4. Harlan County
- Median income: $37,198
- Investment income: $16,377
- Median home value: $60,372
- Poverty rate: 29.7%
5. Fulton County
- Median income: $36,834
- Investment income: $15,502
- Median home value: $72,995
- Poverty rate: 25.9%
6. Lee County
- Median income: $34,182
- Investment income: $17,117
- Median home value: $117,847
- Poverty rate: 31.1%
7. Knox County
- Median income: $37,736
- Investment income: $21,177
- Median home value: $104,705
- Poverty rate: 35%
8. Leslie County
- Median income: $40,176
- Investment income: $8,055
- Median home value: $70,973
- Poverty rate: 26.7%
9. Wolfe County
- Median income: $29,052
- Investment income: $33,278
- Median home value: $192,205
- Poverty rate: 28.6%
10. McCreary County
- Median income: $37,355
- Investment income: $21,827
- Median home value: $87,667
- Poverty rate: 35.9%
Several counties switched places from 2024’s ranking, which named the poorest counties in Kentucky as Magoffin, Lee, Owsley, Wolfe, Harlan, Bell, Leslie, McCreary, Fulton and Letcher.
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