10 Worst Places To Live In Kentucky In 2025

Top 10 Worst Places to Live In Kentucky . Top 10 Worst Cities In Kentucky to Live, Raise a Family, Job or Retire. Top 10 Worst Towns in Kentucky. Top 10 Worst Villages in Kentucky. If you’re thinking about a move to Kentucky, here are the places you should avoid to live, retire or raise a family. 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Kentucky You Should Never Move To. Top 10 Worst Cities To Live In North Carolina. 10 Places in Kentucky You Should NEVER Move To.



TOP 10 WORST PLACES TO LIVE IN KENTUCKY

1. MAYFIELD
2. MONTICELLO
3. SOMERSET
4. PIKEVILLE
5. GLASGOW
6. LEBANON
7. MOUNT STERLING
8. MAYSVILLE
9. RUSSELLVILLE
10. PADUCAH

1. MAYFIELD

Mayfield is a city in Kentucky State in USA with a population of 9823 residents. Mayfield ranks 4th in unemployment, 1st in poverty and 14th in lowest median income in the Kentucky. City also ranks 7th in overall crime, 5th in violent crime and 8th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Mayfield is 34.9%, which is 149.29% higher than national average. The typical household in Mayfield earns $36485 a year, which is 45.95% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 5 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 65.9% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate. Nearly one in every 1 in every 9 workers in Mayfield is unemployed. The high jobless rate has likely contributed to the widespread poverty in the city.



The unemployment rate of Mayfield remained 11.1%, which is 136.17% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 75.88% higher than national average.  While the property crime rate of city is 91.44% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 27 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 9823
Unemployment Rate : 11.1%
Poverty : 34.9%
Median Home Value : $104200
Median Home Income : $36485
Overall Score : 3/10

2. MONTICELLO

Monticello is a city in Kentucky State in USA with a population of 5999 residents. Monticello ranks 6th in unemployment, 3rd in poverty and 15th in lowest median income in the Kentucky. 

The poverty rate of Monticello is 31.3%, which is 123.57% higher than national average. The typical household in Monticello earns $36956 a year, which is 45.25% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 6 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 66.7% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate. Nearly one in every 1 in every 9 workers in Monticello is unemployed. The high jobless rate has likely contributed to the widespread poverty in the city.



The unemployment rate of Monticello remained 10.7%, which is 127.66% higher than national rate.



Population : 5999
Unemployment Rate : 10.7%
Poverty : 31.3%
Median Home Value : $97300
Median Home Income : $36956
Overall Score : 4/10

3. SOMERSET

Somerset is a city in Kentucky State in USA with a population of 11548 residents. Somerset ranks 5th in unemployment, 4th in poverty and 1st in lowest median income in the Kentucky. 

The poverty rate of Somerset is 30.7%, which is 119.29% higher than national average. The typical household in Somerset earns $27739 a year, which is 58.91% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 7 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 65.4% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate. Nearly one in every 1 in every 9 workers in Somerset is unemployed. The high jobless rate has likely contributed to the widespread poverty in the city.



The unemployment rate of Somerset remained 10.8%, which is 129.79% higher than national rate.



Population : 11548
Unemployment Rate : 10.8%
Poverty : 30.7%
Median Home Value : $113400
Median Home Income : $27739
Overall Score : 4/10

4. PIKEVILLE

Pikeville is a city in Kentucky State in USA with a population of 6642 residents. Pikeville ranks 35th in unemployment, 5th in poverty and 19th in lowest median income in the Kentucky. 

The poverty rate of Pikeville is 29.8%, which is 112.86% higher than national average. The typical household in Pikeville earns $39122 a year, which is 42.04% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 4 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 54.9% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.



The overall crime rate in city is 25.89% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 39.06% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 38 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 6642
Unemployment Rate : 4.7%
Poverty : 29.8%
Median Home Value : $226200
Median Home Income : $39122
Overall Score : 5/10

5. GLASGOW

Glasgow is a city in Kentucky State in USA with a population of 14394 residents. Glasgow ranks 17th in unemployment, 7th in poverty and 16th in lowest median income in the Kentucky. 

The poverty rate of Glasgow is 28.9%, which is 106.43% higher than national average. The typical household in Glasgow earns $37479 a year, which is 44.48% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 10 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 66.6% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.

The unemployment rate of Glasgow remained 7.7%, which is 63.83% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 42.21% higher than national average.  While the property crime rate of city is 55.64% higher than national average.  Folks have 1 in 32 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 14394
Unemployment Rate : 7.7%
Poverty : 28.9%
Median Home Value : $123000
Median Home Income : $37479
Overall Score : 5/10

6. LEBANON

Lebanon is a city in Kentucky State in USA with a population of 5960 residents. Lebanon ranks 1st in unemployment, 8th in poverty and 4th in lowest median income in the Kentucky. 

The poverty rate of Lebanon is 28.6%, which is 104.29% higher than national average. The typical household in Lebanon earns $30168 a year, which is 55.31% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 9 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 66.8% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate. Nearly one in every 1 in every 7 workers in Lebanon is unemployed. The high jobless rate has likely contributed to the widespread poverty in the city.



The unemployment rate of Lebanon remained 13.8%, which is 193.62% higher than national rate.



Population : 5960
Unemployment Rate : 13.8%
Poverty : 28.6%
Median Home Value : $98700
Median Home Income : $30168
Overall Score : 5/10

7. MOUNT STERLING

Mount Sterling is a city in Kentucky State in USA with a population of 7190 residents. Mount Sterling ranks 1st in overall crime, 33rd in violent crime and 1st in property crime in the state. City also ranks 11th in unemployment, 16th in poverty and 32nd in lowest median income in the Kentucky.

The poverty rate of Mount Sterling is 24.2%, which is 72.86% higher than national average. The typical household in Mount Sterling earns $41474 a year, which is 38.56% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 8 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 56.4% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.

The unemployment rate of Mount Sterling remained 9%, which is 91.49% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 127.56% higher than national average.  While the property crime rate of city is 164.22% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 19 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 7190
Unemployment Rate : 9%
Poverty : 24.2%
Median Home Value : $140500
Median Home Income : $41474
Overall Score : 5/10

8. MAYSVILLE

Maysville is a city in Kentucky State in USA with a population of 8752 residents. Maysville ranks 33rd in unemployment, 20th in poverty and 13th in lowest median income in the Kentucky. 

The poverty rate of Maysville is 23.5%, which is 67.86% higher than national average. The typical household in Maysville earns $36480 a year, which is 45.96% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 8 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 59.7% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.

The unemployment rate of Maysville remained 5.2%, which is 10.64% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 49.03% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 63.29% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 31 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 8752
Unemployment Rate : 5.2%
Poverty : 23.5%
Median Home Value : $137500
Median Home Income : $36480
Overall Score : 4/10

9. RUSSELLVILLE

Russellville is a city in Kentucky State in USA with a population of 7056 residents. Russellville ranks 17th in unemployment, 19th in poverty and 9th in lowest median income in the Kentucky. 

The poverty rate of Russellville is 23.7%, which is 69.29% higher than national average. The typical household in Russellville earns $34078 a year, which is 49.51% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 8 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 59.5% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.

The unemployment rate of Russellville remained 7.7%, which is 63.83% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 40.59% higher than national average.  While the property crime rate of city is 60.57% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 32 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 7056
Unemployment Rate : 7.7%
Poverty : 23.7%
Median Home Value : $98600
Median Home Income : $34078
Overall Score : 5/10

10. PADUCAH

Paducah is a city in Kentucky State in USA with a population of 24947 residents. Paducah ranks 6th in overall crime, 9th in violent crime and 6th in property crime in the state. City also ranks 48th in unemployment, 23rd in poverty and 18th in lowest median income in the Kentucky.

The poverty rate of Paducah is 21.8%, which is 55.71% higher than national average. The typical household in Paducah earns $39061 a year, which is 42.13% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 5 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 12 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nationwide, 5.8% of households do. Nearly 60.1% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.



The overall crime rate in city is 84.91% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 104.09% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 25 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 24947
Unemployment Rate : 3%
Poverty : 21.8%
Median Home Value : $118100
Median Home Income : $39061
Overall Score : 5/10

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