Russell, KY

Kentucky · Metropolitan Area

Russell is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 3,696. Residents earn $76,389 per year, which is 2% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
3,696 Population 970/sq mi density
$76,389 Median Income $40,600 per capita
$207,900 Home Value $206,163 Zillow
$803 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
91 Violent Crime/100K 1,519 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$76,389 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$207,900 home value, $803/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
91 violent crimes/100K (76% below avg)
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
39.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,389
2% higher than US avg
Home Value $207,900
26% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 91/100K
76% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 39.1%
16% higher than US avg
Median Rent $803
31% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.7%
70% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,696
Median Age41.7 yrs
Density970/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A
Median Income$76,389
Per Capita$40,600
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty3.7%
County GDP$3,758M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$207,900
Rent$803
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$206,163

Crime

F
Violent91/100K
Property1,519/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault61/100K
Burglary213/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain43.1 in/yr
Elevation663 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+39.1%
High School+94.9%
School Score5.85

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute30 min
Libraries3

Is Russell a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Russell receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, affordable housing. Russell offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Russell is $76,389, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Russell is $207,900, 26% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $803 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Russell is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 91 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,519 per 100,000, 23% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 39.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 94.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Russell experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Russell has a population of 3,696 with a density of 970 people per square mile. The median age is 41.7 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.2%).

Population

3,696
Total Population
970
People / sq mi
41.7yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
3.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Russell vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.3%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.7%
80% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Russell vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Russell is $76,389, which is 2% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Russell vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,389
2% above US avg
Per Capita Income$40,600
Avg Weekly Wage$1,139
IRS Avg AGI$63,553

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.7%
70% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,796
County GDP$3,758M

Business (County)

Restaurants131
Healthcare156
Retail223
Manufacturing38

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,902
11% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.0 min
Work from Home6.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Russell is $207,900, 26% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $803 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $206,163.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$207,900
26% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$206,163
Median List Price$225,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$225,000
$/Sq Ft$95
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio94.4%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory10

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$803
31% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$619
1 Bedroom$660
2 Bedrooms$866
3 Bedrooms$1,038
4 Bedrooms$1,147

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,902
11% above US avg
Effective Rate1.88%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.3%
Premature Death13,628/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.3/10
Exercise Access64.2%
Healthcare Facilities156
Russell has a violent crime rate of 91 per 100,000 residents, 76% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,519 per 100,000 (23% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent91.1/100K
76% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery30.4/100K
Assault60.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,518.8/100K
23% below US avg
Burglary212.6/100K
Theft1,275.8/100K
Vehicle Theft30.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Russell has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.9°F
2% above US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.1 inches
13% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation663 ft (202 m)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.9 km²)
Population Density970/sq mi
Coordinates38.5130°N, 82.6960°W
County FIPS21019
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 39.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (16% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.6%
D 30%

Winner: Republican by 38.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+39.1%
16% above US avg
High School+94.9%
School Test Score5.85
A Education Grade (4.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density970/sq mi
Total Area3.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities156
Restaurants131
Retail Stores223

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.0 min
Work from Home6.2%

Nearby Cities

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