Beaver Dam is a small town of 3,535 in Kentucky, with a median household income of $48,991
and a 8.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is
12% below the national average.
Strengths:
Beaver Dam stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Beaver Dam is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Beaver Dam city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 88.5
Beaver Dam's overall cost of living index is 88.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Beaver Dam costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.
Metric
Beaver Dam, KY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$148,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$646
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
57.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$48,991
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Beaver Dam's violent crime rate is 86.0 per 100,000 residents
— 77% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
86.0 /100k
Property Crime
258.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Beaver Dam is served primarily by Ohio County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.2:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Beaver Dam, KY
National Avg
School District
Ohio County
—
Elementary Schools
6
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
81.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Beaver Dam sees average highs of 43.8°F in January
and 87.7°F in July,
with 52.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 4.4 inches of snow per year.
Beaver Dam's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Beaver Dam roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $148,000 and median rent is $646/month.
Beaver Dam's violent crime rate is 86.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 258.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Beaver Dam are operated by Ohio County.
The district has 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.2:1. 15.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Beaver Dam, KY has a population of 3,535, a median household income of $48,991, and an unemployment rate of 8.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Beaver Dam averages 43.8°F in January and 87.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 52.0 inches
with about 4.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Beaver Dam, KY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 42320.
The population of Beaver Dam, Kentucky is 3,535 with a median age of 45.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Beaver Dam: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $148,000, median household income $48,991, crime index 18 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Beaver Dam side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
