Elkhorn City is a small town of 1,013 in Kentucky, with a median household income of $43,819
and a 14.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Elkhorn City stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Elkhorn City is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Elkhorn City 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: 86.4
Elkhorn City's overall cost of living index is 86.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Elkhorn City costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Elkhorn City, KY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$100,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$628
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
66.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$43,819
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Elkhorn City's violent crime rate is 24.2 per 100,000 residents
— 94% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
24.2 /100k
Property Crime
304.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Elkhorn City is served primarily by Pike County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.0:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Elkhorn City, KY
National Avg
School District
Pike County
—
Elementary Schools
11
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
8
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
23.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
77.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Elkhorn City sees average highs of 42.5°F in January
and 82.0°F in July,
with 48.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 7.7 inches of snow per year.
Elkhorn City's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Elkhorn City roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $100,800 and median rent is $628/month.
Elkhorn City's violent crime rate is 24.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 304.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Elkhorn City are operated by Pike County.
The district has 11 elementary, 1 middle, and 8 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.0:1. 23.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Elkhorn City, KY has a population of 1,013, a median household income of $43,819, and an unemployment rate of 14.7%.
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.
Elkhorn City averages 42.5°F in January and 82.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.5 inches
with about 7.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Elkhorn City, KY is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 41522, 41540, 41513.
The population of Elkhorn City, Kentucky is 1,013 with a median age of 37.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Elkhorn City: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $100,800, median household income $43,819, crime index 10 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elkhorn City side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
