You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Kentucky. Best sururbs in Kentucky. Best counties in Kentucky.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Bluegrass State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in Kentucky based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in Kentucky ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In Kentucky For 2025
- Northfield
- Indian Hills
- Windy Hills
- Beechwood Village
- St. Regis Park
- Audubon Park
- Coldstream
- Hurstbourne Acres
- Buckner
- Prospect
- Crestview Hills
- Barbourmeade
- Hurstbourne
- Graymoor-Devondale
- Lakeside Park
What’s the best small town in Kentucky? Northfield is the best small town in Kentucky based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Northfield, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.
But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.
For more reading on the Bluegrass State check out:
- Best Places To Live In Kentucky
- Cheapest Places To Live In Kentucky
- Most Dangerous Cities In Kentucky
The 15 Best Small Towns In Kentucky For 2025
1. Northfield
/10
Population: 1,104
Median Income: $110,714 (11th Best)
Median Home Value: $485,800 (6th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%
2. Indian Hills
/10
Population: 2,870
Median Income: $188,750 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $666,200 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
3. Windy Hills
/10
Population: 2,188
Median Income: $105,875 (16th Best)
Median Home Value: $370,900 (8th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.9%
4. Beechwood Village
/10
Population: 1,305
Median Income: $119,688 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $335,400 (13th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
5. St. Regis Park
/10
Population: 1,841
Median Income: $105,183 (18th Best)
Median Home Value: $315,100 (16th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.1%
6. Audubon Park
/10
Population: 1,717
Median Income: $107,865 (14th Best)
Median Home Value: $354,500 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.0%
7. Coldstream
/10
Population: 1,269
Median Income: $96,417 (24th Best)
Median Home Value: $260,300 (27th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%
8. Hurstbourne Acres
/10
Population: 1,984
Median Income: $68,229 (44th Best)
Median Home Value: $292,900 (18th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.4%
9. Buckner
/10
Population: 3,786
Median Income: $149,700 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $389,900 (7th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.1%
10. Prospect
/10
Population: 4,518
Median Income: $172,361 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $494,000 (5th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
11. Crestview Hills
/10
Population: 3,226
Median Income: $106,375 (15th Best)
Median Home Value: $263,000 (25th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 6.1%
12. Barbourmeade
/10
Population: 1,208
Median Income: $109,800 (12th Best)
Median Home Value: $360,700 (9th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
13. Hurstbourne
/10
Population: 4,669
Median Income: $113,906 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $495,100 (4th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
14. Graymoor-Devondale
/10
Population: 2,838
Median Income: $90,972 (26th Best)
Median Home Value: $330,300 (15th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
15. Lakeside Park
/10
Population: 2,827
Median Income: $108,971 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $346,600 (12th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Kentucky
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in Kentucky possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2019-2023 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 151 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 151, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Kentucky. Top of that list — Northfield.
This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in Kentucky.
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in Kentucky are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in Kentucky are Northfield, Indian Hills, Windy Hills, Beechwood Village, St. Regis Park, Audubon Park, Coldstream, Hurstbourne Acres, Buckner, and Prospect.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in Kentucky:
- Clinton
- Beattyville
- Guthrie
For more Kentucky reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Kentucky
- Safest Places In Kentucky
- Worst Places To Live In Kentucky
Best Small Towns In Kentucky
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northfield, KY | 1,104 | $110,714 | 1.3% | |
| 2 | Indian Hills, KY | 2,870 | $188,750 | 1.9% | |
| 3 | Windy Hills, KY | 2,188 | $105,875 | 0.9% | |
| 4 | Beechwood Village, KY | 1,305 | $119,688 | 1.9% | |
| 5 | St. Regis Park, KY | 1,841 | $105,183 | 2.1% | |
| 6 | Audubon Park, KY | 1,717 | $107,865 | 1.0% | |
| 7 | Coldstream, KY | 1,269 | $96,417 | 1.3% | |
| 8 | Hurstbourne Acres, KY | 1,984 | $68,229 | 1.4% | |
| 9 | Buckner, KY | 3,786 | $149,700 | 1.1% | |
| 10 | Prospect, KY | 4,518 | $172,361 | 4.5% | |
| 11 | Crestview Hills, KY | 3,226 | $106,375 | 6.1% | |
| 12 | Barbourmeade, KY | 1,208 | $109,800 | 5.8% | |
| 13 | Hurstbourne, KY | 4,669 | $113,906 | 3.8% | |
| 14 | Graymoor-Devondale, KY | 2,838 | $90,972 | 3.0% | |
| 15 | Lakeside Park, KY | 2,827 | $108,971 | 0.0% | |
| 16 | Reidland, KY | 4,887 | $83,764 | 3.2% | |
| 17 | Worthington Hills, KY | 1,872 | $78,365 | 2.9% | |
| 18 | Goshen, KY | 1,004 | $96,429 | 2.7% | |
| 19 | Orchard Grass Hills, KY | 2,008 | $105,417 | 3.0% | |
| 20 | Bellefonte, KY | 1,251 | $114,063 | 3.3% | |
| 21 | Park Hills, KY | 3,155 | $102,112 | 4.4% | |
| 22 | Pioneer Village, KY | 2,690 | $79,566 | 1.2% | |
| 23 | Heritage Creek, KY | 1,090 | $96,696 | 2.6% | |
| 24 | Massac, KY | 4,937 | $75,103 | 0.0% | |
| 25 | Pewee Valley, KY | 1,417 | $139,688 | 3.0% | |
| 26 | Anchorage, KY | 2,421 | $215,156 | 4.5% | |
| 27 | Simpsonville, KY | 3,006 | $91,221 | 1.7% | |
| 28 | Plano, KY | 1,293 | $96,818 | 4.5% | |
| 29 | Hendron, KY | 4,840 | $64,777 | 1.1% | |
| 30 | Rolling Hills, KY | 1,024 | $99,412 | 2.7% | |
| 31 | Wilder, KY | 3,148 | $71,567 | 3.2% | |
| 32 | Doe Valley, KY | 1,719 | $87,757 | 0.0% | |
| 33 | Crescent Springs, KY | 4,402 | $76,530 | 6.7% | |
| 34 | Olive Hill, KY | 1,488 | $69,063 | 1.0% | |
| 35 | Verona, KY | 1,196 | $121,250 | 4.1% | |
| 36 | Russell, KY | 3,696 | $76,389 | 5.3% | |
| 37 | Masonville, KY | 2,634 | $89,102 | 2.6% | |
| 38 | Claryville, KY | 3,306 | $86,250 | 3.6% | |
| 39 | Morganfield, KY | 3,208 | $63,546 | 1.6% | |
| 40 | Greenville, KY | 4,435 | $70,401 | 2.1% | |
| 41 | Southgate, KY | 3,680 | $55,469 | 3.4% | |
| 42 | Ludlow, KY | 4,378 | $58,295 | 5.0% | |
| 43 | Cannonsburg, KY | 1,426 | $83,777 | 6.0% | |
| 44 | Elk Creek, KY | 2,344 | $127,487 | 4.3% | |
| 45 | Hartford, KY | 2,653 | $61,313 | 3.5% | |
| 46 | West Liberty, KY | 3,280 | $57,411 | 5.7% | |
| 47 | Midway, KY | 1,748 | $59,609 | 11.5% | |
| 48 | Calvert City, KY | 2,522 | $42,566 | 2.5% | |
| 49 | Benton, KY | 4,774 | $63,368 | 3.6% | |
| 50 | Williamstown, KY | 3,929 | $71,761 | 2.2% | |
| 51 | Burgin, KY | 1,046 | $74,063 | 0.0% | |
| 52 | Brooks, KY | 2,246 | $70,947 | 1.8% | |
| 53 | Bloomfield, KY | 1,053 | $52,679 | 3.8% | |
| 54 | Hodgenville, KY | 3,262 | $58,750 | 0.0% | |
| 55 | Worthington, KY | 1,813 | $65,432 | 2.7% | |
| 56 | Eddyville, KY | 2,945 | $58,527 | 2.1% | |
| 57 | Springfield, KY | 2,871 | $40,890 | 5.8% | |
| 58 | Raceland, KY | 2,173 | $61,923 | 6.5% | |
| 59 | Hebron Estates, KY | 1,262 | $57,375 | 13.7% | |
| 60 | West Buechel, KY | 1,624 | $47,066 | 5.5% | |
| 61 | Columbia, KY | 4,842 | $45,221 | 6.2% | |
| 62 | North Corbin, KY | 2,092 | $48,382 | 0.8% | |
| 63 | Stanford, KY | 3,662 | $55,000 | 3.5% | |
| 64 | Louisa, KY | 2,645 | $41,250 | 8.0% | |
| 65 | Brandenburg, KY | 2,907 | $48,281 | 2.5% | |
| 66 | Lewisport, KY | 2,053 | $51,847 | 4.7% | |
| 67 | Warsaw, KY | 1,868 | $58,284 | 6.4% | |
| 68 | Barbourville, KY | 3,181 | $20,971 | 4.5% | |
| 69 | Taylorsville, KY | 1,566 | $41,917 | 2.9% | |
| 70 | Elkton, KY | 2,158 | $45,417 | 3.3% | |
| 71 | Westwood, KY | 4,480 | $70,012 | 1.8% | |
| 72 | Albany, KY | 1,972 | $40,301 | 4.2% | |
| 73 | Crittenden, KY | 4,058 | $51,336 | 2.7% | |
| 74 | Owenton, KY | 1,600 | $52,121 | 6.7% | |
| 75 | Hawesville, KY | 1,221 | $51,898 | 4.6% | |
| 76 | Irvington, KY | 1,129 | $48,750 | 3.3% | |
| 77 | Silver Grove, KY | 1,104 | $46,315 | 5.4% | |
| 78 | Jackson, KY | 2,128 | $34,317 | 10.1% | |
| 79 | Fulton, KY | 2,345 | $36,037 | 1.7% | |
| 80 | Sturgis, KY | 1,827 | $43,938 | 4.7% | |
| 81 | Cadiz, KY | 2,649 | $40,186 | 4.4% | |
| 82 | Carrollton, KY | 3,894 | $58,788 | 6.5% | |
| 83 | Coal Run Village, KY | 1,888 | $47,212 | 7.0% | |
| 84 | Hardinsburg, KY | 2,404 | $56,774 | 4.5% | |
| 85 | West Point, KY | 1,131 | $37,260 | 2.9% | |
| 86 | Marion, KY | 2,908 | $40,691 | 0.7% | |
| 87 | Eminence, KY | 2,710 | $44,655 | 6.1% | |
| 88 | Russell Springs, KY | 2,755 | $37,500 | 10.4% | |
| 89 | Mount Vernon, KY | 2,259 | $38,639 | 3.6% | |
| 90 | Paintsville, KY | 4,256 | $26,713 | 4.2% | |
| 91 | Beaver Dam, KY | 3,526 | $52,546 | 11.4% | |
| 92 | Sebree, KY | 2,071 | $62,222 | 0.6% | |
| 93 | Owingsville, KY | 1,977 | $40,150 | 5.3% | |
| 94 | Dry Ridge, KY | 2,250 | $53,641 | 9.9% | |
| 95 | Carlisle, KY | 2,356 | $46,292 | 4.0% | |
| 96 | Pleasureville, KY | 1,286 | $49,612 | 3.4% | |
| 97 | Pineville, KY | 1,906 | $25,385 | 17.2% | |
| 98 | Horse Cave, KY | 2,348 | $51,927 | 7.5% | |
| 99 | Augusta, KY | 1,514 | $43,854 | 9.3% | |
| 100 | Catlettsburg, KY | 1,672 | $34,524 | 12.1% |