Clarkson is a small town of 1,218 in Kentucky, with a median household income of $21,250
and a 5.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Clarkson stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Clarkson is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Clarkson 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: 85.6
Clarkson's overall cost of living index is 85.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Clarkson costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Clarkson, KY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$97,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$583
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
41.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$21,250
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Clarkson's violent crime rate is 53.0 per 100,000 residents
— 86% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
53.0 /100k
Property Crime
491.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Clarkson is served primarily by Grayson County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.4:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Clarkson, KY
National Avg
School District
Grayson County
—
Elementary Schools
4
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
81.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Clarkson sees average highs of 42.2°F in January
and 85.5°F in July,
with 49.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 9.4 inches of snow per year.
Clarkson's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Clarkson roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $97,000 and median rent is $583/month.
Clarkson's violent crime rate is 53.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 491.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Clarkson are operated by Grayson County.
The district has 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.4:1. 11.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Clarkson, KY has a population of 1,218, a median household income of $21,250, and an unemployment rate of 5.4%.
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.
Clarkson averages 42.2°F in January and 85.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.8 inches
with about 9.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Clarkson, KY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 42726.
The population of Clarkson, Kentucky is 1,218 with a median age of 30.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Clarkson: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $97,000, median household income $21,250, 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 Clarkson side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.