South Shore, KY

Kentucky

South Shore is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 1,561. Residents earn $29,000 per year, which is 61% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,561 Population 2,230/sq mi density
$29,000 Median Income $19,716 per capita
$85,900 Home Value $123,522 Zillow
$638 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.8 / 5.0
$29,000 median income, 10.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,900 home value, $638/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $29,000
61% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,900
70% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.4%
78% lower than US avg
Median Rent $638
45% lower than US avg
Unemployment 10.5%
192% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.3%
40% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,561
Median Age41.1 yrs
Density2,230/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

D
Median Income$29,000
Per Capita$19,716
Unemployment10.5%
Poverty17.3%
County GDP$3,482M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,900
Rent$638
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$123,522

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property180/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain43.1 in/yr
Elevation538 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.4%
High School+85.7%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 26%
Commute16 min
Libraries6

Is South Shore a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Shore receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. South Shore has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Shore is $29,000, 61% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.5%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 17.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Shore is $85,900, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $638 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

South Shore is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 180 per 100,000, 91% below the national average.

Education

7.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

South Shore 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.

South Shore has a population of 1,561 with a density of 2,230 people per square mile. The median age is 41.1 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.2%), with 2.8% Hispanic.

Population

1,561
Total Population
2,230
People / sq mi
41.1yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.2%
Female 51.8%

Race & Ethnicity

South Shore vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.3%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.7%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

South Shore vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Shore is $29,000, which is 61% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: South Shore vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$29,000
61% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,716
Avg Weekly Wage$950
IRS Avg AGI$58,865

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.5%
192% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.3%
40% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,502
County GDP$3,482M

Business (County)

Restaurants139
Healthcare220
Retail239
Manufacturing48

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,930
12% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.0 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in South Shore is $85,900, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $638 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $123,522.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,900
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$123,522

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$638
45% 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-Occupied50.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,930
12% above US avg
Effective Rate4.58%

Health Metrics: South Shore vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.6%
Premature Death16,720/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access80.3%
Healthcare Facilities220
South Shore has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 180 per 100,000 (91% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property180.3/100K
91% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft180.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
South Shore 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

Elevation538 ft (164 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density2,230/sq mi
Coordinates38.7219°N, 82.9642°W
County FIPS39145
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 7.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (78% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 48-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.7%
D 25.7%

Winner: Republican by 48 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.4%
78% below US avg
High School+85.7%
School Test Score5.50
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density2,230/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities220
Restaurants139
Retail Stores239

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.0 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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