The 10 Best Small Towns In Kentucky For 2026


The best small towns in Kentucky are Indian Hills and Windy Hills for 2026 based on Saturday Night Science.

By: Chris Kolmar | About HomeSnacks
Last Updated: April 18, 2026

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 2026

  1. Indian Hills
  2. Windy Hills
  3. St. Regis Park
  4. Northfield
  5. Audubon Park
  6. Graymoor-Devondale
  7. Coldstream
  8. Lakeside Park
  9. Prospect
  10. Beechwood Village
  11. Barbourmeade
  12. Buckner
  13. Hurstbourne Acres
  14. Hurstbourne
  15. Simpsonville

Best Small Towns To Live In Kentucky Map

What’s the best small town in Kentucky? Indian Hills is the best small town in Kentucky based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Indian Hills, 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:

The 15 Best Small Towns In Kentucky For 2026

1. Indian Hills

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,897
Median Income: $192,000 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $788,621 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.4%

2. Windy Hills

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 2,081
Median Income: $130,714 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $453,412 (7th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%

3. St. Regis Park

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,783
Median Income: $107,813 (17th Best)
Median Home Value: $370,061 (16th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%

4. Northfield

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 1,250
Median Income: $111,250 (14th Best)
Median Home Value: $578,946 (5th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.5%

5. Audubon Park

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 1,707
Median Income: $100,972 (19th Best)
Median Home Value: $409,086 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%

6. Graymoor-Devondale

Overall SnackAbility

9
/10

Population: 2,802
Median Income: $96,667 (22nd Best)
Median Home Value: $381,227 (13th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.1%

7. Coldstream

Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10

Population: 1,331
Median Income: $109,226 (15th Best)
Median Home Value: $313,215 (26th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.8%

8. Lakeside Park

Lakeside Park, KY

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 2,828
Median Income: $128,650 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $344,827 (21st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

9. Prospect

Overall SnackAbility

9.5
/10

Population: 4,542
Median Income: $163,462 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $620,089 (3rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%

10. Beechwood Village

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10

Population: 1,292
Median Income: $118,333 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $387,543 (12th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%

11. Barbourmeade

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,247
Median Income: $116,875 (12th Best)
Median Home Value: $434,125 (9th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%

12. Buckner

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,119
Median Income: $164,219 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $440,777 (8th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.1%

13. Hurstbourne Acres

Overall SnackAbility

9.5
/10

Population: 1,972
Median Income: $66,891 (40th Best)
Median Home Value: $362,391 (18th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.2%

14. Hurstbourne

Hurstbourne, KY

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10

Population: 4,702
Median Income: $116,094 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $611,993 (4th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.6%

15. Simpsonville

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 3,062
Median Income: $91,188 (26th Best)
Median Home Value: $416,962 (10th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.8%

Best States In America

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 2020-2024 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 – 150 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 150, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Kentucky. Top of that list — Indian Hills.

This is our eleventh 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 Indian Hills, Windy Hills, St. Regis Park, Northfield, Audubon Park, Graymoor-Devondale, Coldstream, Lakeside Park, Prospect, and Beechwood Village.

If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in Kentucky:

  1. Beattyville
  2. Guthrie
  3. Jamestown

For more Kentucky reading, check out:

Best Small Towns In Kentucky

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value Unemployment Rate
1 Indian Hills, KY 2,897 $192,000 0.4%
2 Windy Hills, KY 2,081 $130,714 1.9%
3 St. Regis Park, KY 1,783 $107,813 3.0%
4 Northfield, KY 1,250 $111,250 0.5%
5 Audubon Park, KY 1,707 $100,972 1.3%
6 Graymoor-Devondale, KY 2,802 $96,667 2.1%
7 Coldstream, KY 1,331 $109,226 0.8%
8 Lakeside Park, KY 2,828 $128,650 0.0%
9 Prospect, KY 4,542 $163,462 4.2%
10 Beechwood Village, KY 1,292 $118,333 1.9%
11 Barbourmeade, KY 1,247 $116,875 5.8%
12 Buckner, KY 4,119 $164,219 2.1%
13 Hurstbourne Acres, KY 1,972 $66,891 1.2%
14 Hurstbourne, KY 4,702 $116,094 3.6%
15 Simpsonville, KY 3,062 $91,188 1.8%
16 Plantation, KY 1,013 $82,167 2.6%
17 Massac, KY 4,698 $92,560 0.0%
18 Heritage Creek, KY 1,283 $100,294 1.6%
19 Pioneer Village, KY 2,723 $84,167 1.6%
20 Crestview Hills, KY 3,284 $95,441 6.0%
21 Bellefonte, KY 1,419 $117,250 2.9%
22 Orchard Grass Hills, KY 1,912 $107,000 3.1%
23 Crescent Springs, KY 4,486 $83,066 7.6%
24 Pewee Valley, KY 1,483 $156,979 2.7%
25 Park Hills, KY 3,165 $99,861 5.2%
26 Hendron, KY 4,495 $71,610 0.0%
27 Worthington Hills, KY 1,957 $73,889 4.4%
28 Russell, KY 3,676 $76,182 3.9%
29 Ludlow, KY 4,378 $65,284 4.2%
30 Anchorage, KY 2,506 $199,375 4.1%
31 Olive Hill, KY 1,636 $70,682 0.7%
32 Verona, KY 1,394 $144,507 2.1%
33 Morganfield, KY 3,185 $65,829 0.4%
34 Plano, KY 1,290 $80,188 8.6%
35 Midway, KY 1,776 $61,650 8.8%
36 Claryville, KY 3,251 $81,458 2.9%
37 Masonville, KY 2,887 $83,241 0.0%
38 Southgate, KY 3,717 $54,421 3.2%
39 Hartford, KY 2,649 $61,445 2.7%
40 Elk Creek, KY 2,207 $144,100 4.3%
41 Doe Valley, KY 1,776 $109,135 5.8%
42 Wilder, KY 3,135 $70,893 3.5%
43 Stanford, KY 3,643 $49,337 1.1%
44 Williamstown, KY 3,945 $95,050 2.9%
45 Columbia, KY 4,808 $47,299 4.4%
46 Bloomfield, KY 1,124 $55,063 3.8%
47 Elkton, KY 1,924 $48,777 0.5%
48 Westwood, KY 4,473 $73,511 4.0%
49 Brooks, KY 2,069 $66,056 2.2%
50 Springfield, KY 2,899 $48,750 5.5%
51 Hodgenville, KY 3,389 $57,739 0.0%
52 Calvert City, KY 2,526 $48,906 4.2%
53 Benton, KY 4,748 $66,827 4.0%
54 Lewisport, KY 2,057 $55,873 5.0%
55 Albany, KY 1,896 $44,007 3.3%
56 Cannonsburg, KY 1,129 $76,450 10.3%
57 Taylorsville, KY 1,496 $43,259 2.9%
58 Eddyville, KY 2,897 $55,625 2.8%
59 Hebron Estates, KY 1,276 $54,861 18.8%
60 Crittenden, KY 4,084 $57,283 5.2%
61 West Liberty, KY 3,295 $48,235 6.3%
62 Owingsville, KY 1,621 $40,053 2.5%
63 Worthington, KY 1,759 $65,609 3.0%
64 Brandenburg, KY 2,937 $49,844 3.6%
65 West Buechel, KY 1,599 $48,784 7.5%
66 Augusta, KY 1,510 $51,250 6.9%
67 Hawesville, KY 1,188 $50,000 4.0%
68 Raceland, KY 2,265 $57,222 10.3%
69 Coal Run Village, KY 1,724 $52,750 7.1%
70 Warsaw, KY 2,072 $60,769 6.8%
71 Carlisle, KY 2,214 $49,201 3.0%
72 North Corbin, KY 2,190 $51,447 1.3%
73 Sebree, KY 1,825 $58,707 0.5%
74 Greenville, KY 4,410 $46,054 5.3%
75 Owenton, KY 1,511 $55,438 6.8%
76 Sturgis, KY 1,864 $36,780 4.0%
77 Cadiz, KY 2,677 $44,152 3.4%
78 Louisa, KY 2,580 $40,000 11.1%
79 Paintsville, KY 4,203 $28,257 3.0%
80 New Castle, KY 1,052 $43,203 8.5%
81 Hardinsburg, KY 2,327 $55,795 5.5%
82 Catlettsburg, KY 1,557 $38,276 9.8%
83 Dry Ridge, KY 2,441 $55,995 6.9%
84 Silver Grove, KY 1,008 $46,595 8.0%
85 Scottsville, KY 4,427 $35,562 8.7%
86 Eminence, KY 2,724 $41,734 6.8%
87 Irvington, KY 1,327 $47,500 4.2%
88 Fulton, KY 2,378 $36,040 2.0%
89 Marion, KY 2,886 $39,414 1.7%
90 Barbourville, KY 3,146 $22,046 8.6%
91 Irvine, KY 2,723 $42,805 5.4%
92 Livermore, KY 1,223 $40,099 5.5%
93 Junction City, KY 2,643 $45,938 7.2%
94 Mount Vernon, KY 2,398 $38,697 3.5%
95 Lebanon Junction, KY 2,327 $54,778 9.8%
96 Falmouth, KY 2,449 $34,756 3.5%
97 Carrollton, KY 3,915 $45,871 6.5%
98 Jackson, KY 2,015 $32,683 12.3%
99 Grayson, KY 3,778 $27,542 7.6%
100 Earlington, KY 1,084 $38,194 4.7%
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns, Rankings