Hunt & Live

Lincoln County, KY

24,360 residents · 333 sq mi · 73.2/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
55.4°F
50.7" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.95
Hardiness
Zone 8a
Winter low ~14.6°F

About Lincoln County

Lincoln County is a county located in south-central Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,275. Its county seat is Stanford. Lincoln County is part of the Danville, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area.

47
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #1695 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a predominantly rural experience with a population density of 73.2 people per square mile, providing a sense of space and remoteness. The climate features an annual mean temperature of 55.4°F with a growing season suitable for USDA zone 8a, allowing for diverse gardening options. Water availability is decent with 50.7 inches of rainfall per year, supporting self-sufficient living, though the humid conditions may necessitate careful management of crops and livestock.

This area faces several natural hazards, including strong winds (FEMA rank 75) and hail (rank 70), which can pose threats to crops and infrastructure. Winter weather (rank 64) and cold waves (rank 58) may require preparedness for harsh conditions. While the violence percentile at 26/100 indicates a relatively safer environment, the cost of living is moderate with median home prices around $130,100, which may be a consideration for prospective homesteaders.

Lincoln County may appeal to individuals seeking a rural lifestyle with reasonable access to amenities, as indicated by the effective property tax rate of 0.76% and a median household income of $49,487. Those who thrive here are likely to be self-sufficient individuals comfortable with the risks of natural hazards. However, those who rely heavily on advanced infrastructure or urban conveniences may find the limited broadband access (46% subscription rate) and potential weather challenges to be significant drawbacks.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Ranked #949 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#11 of 120 in KY
Ranked #11 of 120 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: strong wind
FEMA ranks strong wind risk at 75/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Rural-suburban mix
73.2 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 55.4°F annual mean and 50.7" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 8a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $130,100.

Score Breakdown

Violence
63
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
32
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
64
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
32.6
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 58
Drought 31
Earthquake 57
Hail 70
Hurricane 43
Heat Wave 36
Riverine Flood 44
Ice Storm 56
Landslide 36
Lightning 49
Strong Wind 75
Tornado 40
Wildfire 24
Winter Weather 64

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
85.4°F
Winter low
24.6°F
Heating degree days
4,562
Cooling degree days
1,082

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$130,100
Median HH income
$49,487
Price to income
2.6×
Property tax rate
0.76%
~$983/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
41.4
Homeownership
78.6%
Poverty rate
17.4%
Unemployment
6.6%

Connectivity

Broadband households
45.7%
No internet access
19.6%

Explore Lincoln County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.