Nelson County
KY · Pop. 47,102 · Mixed County
Nelson County sits in Kentucky across 419 square miles, home to 47,102 people at 112.4 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $224,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.8%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F and average winter lows of 27.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Flaget Memorial Hospital is 5.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 69.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 190-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.8% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Flaget Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 49.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 9.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Broadband reaches only 69.4% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Nelson County, KY is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $224k
- Property tax
- 0.8%
- Growing season
- 190 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.8"
- Broadband
- 69.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Flaget Memorial Hospital, 5.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Nelson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Nelson County?
- Nelson County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F, and average winter lows of 27.5°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $224,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.8%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 69.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Flaget Memorial Hospital is 5.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Kentucky Resources
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More counties in Kentucky
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The closest counties to Nelson 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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