Monticello, KY

Kentucky

Monticello is a small city in Kentucky with a population of 5,741. Residents earn $37,733 per year, which is 50% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,741 Population 943/sq mi density
$37,733 Median Income $21,289 per capita
$125,800 Home Value $157,933 Zillow
$679 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
179 Violent Crime/100K 2,031 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$37,733 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$125,800 home value, $679/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
179 violent crimes/100K (53% below avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,733
50% lower than US avg
Home Value $125,800
55% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 179/100K
53% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.7%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $679
42% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 26.6%
115% higher than US avg

How Monticello Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population5,741
Median Age40.2 yrs
Density943/mi²
Male / Female44% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

C+
Median Income$37,733
Per Capita$21,289
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty26.6%
County GDP$560M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$125,800
Rent$679
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$157,933

Crime

F
Violent179/100K
Property2,031/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault114/100K
Burglary796/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain52.5 in/yr
Elevation961 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.7%
High School+82.0%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 17%
Commute21 min
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Monticello a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Monticello receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Monticello has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Monticello is $37,733, 50% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. The poverty rate of 26.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Monticello is $125,800, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $679 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Monticello is below the national average at 179 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,031 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Monticello enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.5 inches, including 14.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Monticello has a population of 5,741 with a density of 943 people per square mile. The median age is 40.2 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.9%), with 4.2% Black.

Population

5,741
Total Population
943
People / sq mi
40.2yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
6.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.5%
Female 56.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Monticello vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.3%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.7%
43% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Monticello vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Monticello is $37,733, which is 50% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 26.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Monticello vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,733
50% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,289
Avg Weekly Wage$756
IRS Avg AGI$45,380

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate26.6%
115% above US avg
Establishments (County)455
County GDP$560M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare33
Retail71
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,992
43% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.3 min
Work from Home20.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Monticello is $125,800, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $679 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $157,933.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$125,800
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$157,933

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$679
42% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$719
1 Bedroom$794
2 Bedrooms$984
3 Bedrooms$1,277
4 Bedrooms$1,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied54.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,992
43% below US avg
Effective Rate1.58%

Health Metrics: Monticello vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.3%
Premature Death13,029/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.9/10
Exercise Access34.2%
Healthcare Facilities33
Monticello has a violent crime rate of 179 per 100,000 residents, 53% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,031 per 100,000 (4% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Monticello vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent178.7/100K
53% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery65.0/100K
Assault113.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,030.9/100K
4% above US avg
Burglary796.1/100K
Theft1,153.5/100K
Vehicle Theft81.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Monticello has an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average56.4°F
4% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.5 inches
38% above US avg
Snowfall14.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation961 ft (293 m)
Area6.1 sq mi (15.8 km²)
Population Density943/sq mi
Coordinates36.8411°N, 84.8513°W
County FIPS21231
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 66-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82.5%
D 16.5%

Winner: Republican by 66 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.7%
65% below US avg
High School+82.0%
School Test Score5.50
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density943/sq mi
Total Area6.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants21
Retail Stores71

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.3 min
Work from Home20.3%

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