Best suburbs to live in Kentucky
Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Kentucky using data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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#30. Audubon Park, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 2,043
– Population: 1,412
– Median household income: $104,107
– Median home value: $329,800 (83% own)
– Median rent: $910 (17% rent)
– Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (grade A+), J. Graham Brown School (grade A), Louisville Male High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Louisville Collegiate School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+), Francis Parker School of Louisville (grade A+)
#29. Erlanger, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 2,028
– Population: 19,577
– Median household income: $74,147
– Median home value: $173,800 (69% own)
– Median rent: $959 (31% rent)
– Top public schools: Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students (grade A minus), Ballyshannon Middle School (grade A minus), Ft. Wright Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), Covington Latin School (grade A), Saint Ursula Academy (grade A)
#28. Burlington, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,930
– Population: 18,264
– Median household income: $96,683
– Median home value: $216,200 (79% own)
– Median rent: $1,303 (21% rent)
– Top public schools: Conner Middle School (grade A), Longbranch Elementary School (grade A), Randall K. Cooper High School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Covington Latin School (grade A), Villa Madonna Academy (grade A), Notre Dame Academy (grade A minus)
#27. Buckner, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,834
– Population: 3,658
– Median household income: $141,538
– Median home value: $350,600 (94% own)
– Median rent: $1,850 (6% rent)
– Top public schools: Buckner Elementary School (grade A), Oldham County Middle School (grade A minus), Oldham County High School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+), Francis Parker School of Louisville (grade A+)
#26. Francisville, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,660
– Population: 10,044
– Median household income: $145,304
– Median home value: $360,800 (91% own)
– Median rent: $1,333 (9% rent)
– Top public schools: Conner Middle School (grade A), Thornwilde Elementary School (grade A), North Pointe Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Covington Latin School (grade A), Villa Madonna Academy (grade A), Notre Dame Academy (grade A minus)
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#25. St. Matthews, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,485
– Population: 17,511
– Median household income: $78,928
– Median home value: $307,400 (55% own)
– Median rent: $1,198 (45% rent)
– Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (grade A+), J. Graham Brown School (grade A), Louisville Male High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Louisville Collegiate School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+)
#24. Hurstbourne, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,404
– Population: 4,654
– Median household income: $117,031
– Median home value: $544,900 (56% own)
– Median rent: $1,555 (44% rent)
– Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (grade A+), J. Graham Brown School (grade A), Louisville Male High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Louisville Collegiate School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+)
#23. Fort Wright, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,378
– Population: 5,841
– Median household income: $105,075
– Median home value: $268,400 (70% own)
– Median rent: $1,058 (30% rent)
– Top public schools: Beechwood Elementary School (grade A), Beechwood High School (grade A), Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: The Seven Hills School (grade A+), The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), Covington Latin School (grade A)
#22. Bellefonte, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,366
– Population: 1,216
– Median household income: $109,750
– Median home value: $270,900 (93% own)
– Median rent: $1,721 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: Russell Primary School (grade A), Russell Middle School (grade A minus), Russell-McDowell Intermediate School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Holy Family School (grade A minus), Rose Hill Christian School (grade B+), Saint Joseph High School (grade B)
#21. Crescent Springs, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,307
– Population: 4,350
– Median household income: $75,565
– Median home value: $275,600 (50% own)
– Median rent: $850 (50% rent)
– Top public schools: Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students (grade A minus), Ballyshannon Middle School (grade A minus), River Ridge Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: The Seven Hills School (grade A+), The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), Covington Latin School (grade A)
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#20. Bellevue, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,306
– Population: 5,596
– Median household income: $66,741
– Median home value: $176,100 (64% own)
– Median rent: $952 (36% rent)
– Top public schools: Johnson Elementary School (grade A), Highlands Middle School (grade A), Highlands High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Seven Hills School (grade A+), The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), St. Xavier High School (grade A+)
#19. Crestwood, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,271
– Population: 6,175
– Median household income: $110,147
– Median home value: $335,700 (80% own)
– Median rent: $1,093 (20% rent)
– Top public schools: Kenwood Station Elementary School (grade A), Camden Station Elementary School (grade A), South Oldham Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Louisville Collegiate School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+)
#18. Pewee Valley, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,226
– Population: 1,514
– Median household income: $132,614
– Median home value: $450,000 (94% own)
– Median rent: $1,074 (6% rent)
– Top public schools: Kenwood Station Elementary School (grade A), South Oldham Middle School (grade A), Crestwood Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+), Francis Parker School of Louisville (grade A+)
#17. Indian Hills, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,165
– Population: 2,891
– Median household income: $178,250
– Median home value: $638,800 (98% own)
– Median rent: No data available (2% rent)
– Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (grade A+), J. Graham Brown School (grade A), Louisville Male High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Louisville Collegiate School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+)
#16. Windy Hills, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,134
– Population: 2,193
– Median household income: $106,875
– Median home value: $355,100 (88% own)
– Median rent: $2,362 (12% rent)
– Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (grade A+), J. Graham Brown School (grade A), Louisville Male High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Louisville Collegiate School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+)
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#15. Goshen, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,130
– Population: 1,037
– Median household income: $94,926
– Median home value: $268,700 (90% own)
– Median rent: $2,148 (10% rent)
– Top public schools: North Oldham Middle School (grade A), North Oldham High School (grade A), Harmony Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+), Francis Parker School of Louisville (grade A+)
#14. Prospect, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,097
– Population: 4,624
– Median household income: $173,528
– Median home value: $470,400 (95% own)
– Median rent: $1,147 (5% rent)
– Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (grade A+), J. Graham Brown School (grade A), North Oldham Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Louisville Collegiate School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+)
#13. Wilmore, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,063
– Population: 6,017
– Median household income: $59,848
– Median home value: $200,500 (50% own)
– Median rent: $857 (50% rent)
– Top public schools: Wilmore Elementary School (grade A minus), West Jessamine High School (grade A minus), West Jessamine Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Lexington Catholic High School (grade A), Lexington Christian Academy (grade A), Clays Mill Road Christian Academy (grade B)
#12. Union, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 1,015
– Population: 7,369
– Median household income: $131,047
– Median home value: $340,900 (87% own)
– Median rent: $1,705 (13% rent)
– Top public schools: Erpenbeck Elementary School (grade A), Larry A. Ryle High School (grade A), Gray Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Covington Latin School (grade A), Villa Madonna Academy (grade A), Notre Dame Academy (grade A minus)
#11. Lakeside Park, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 978
– Population: 2,830
– Median household income: $104,523
– Median home value: $234,900 (82% own)
– Median rent: $984 (18% rent)
– Top public schools: Beechwood Elementary School (grade A), Beechwood High School (grade A), Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), Covington Latin School (grade A), Saint Ursula Academy (grade A)
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#10. Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 965
– Population: 8,667
– Median household income: $74,830
– Median home value: $342,900 (55% own)
– Median rent: $924 (45% rent)
– Top public schools: Beechwood Elementary School (grade A), Beechwood High School (grade A), Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: The Seven Hills School (grade A+), The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), Covington Latin School (grade A)
#9. Edgewood, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 851
– Population: 8,447
– Median household income: $117,308
– Median home value: $278,000 (90% own)
– Median rent: $1,147 (10% rent)
– Top public schools: Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students (grade A minus), Ft. Wright Elementary School (grade A minus), R.C. Hinsdale Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), Covington Latin School (grade A), Saint Ursula Academy (grade A)
#8. Crestview Hills, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 819
– Population: 3,212
– Median household income: $107,857
– Median home value: $250,500 (76% own)
– Median rent: $1,307 (24% rent)
– Top public schools: Beechwood Elementary School (grade A), Beechwood High School (grade A), Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), Covington Latin School (grade A), Saint Ursula Academy (grade A)
#7. Villa Hills, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 811
– Population: 7,331
– Median household income: $109,196
– Median home value: $296,300 (94% own)
– Median rent: $1,122 (6% rent)
– Top public schools: Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students (grade A minus), River Ridge Elementary School (grade A minus), Turkey Foot Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: The Seven Hills School (grade A+), The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), Covington Latin School (grade A)
#6. Northfield, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 778
– Population: 1,106
– Median household income: $121,429
– Median home value: $469,200 (72% own)
– Median rent: $1,335 (28% rent)
– Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (grade A+), J. Graham Brown School (grade A), Louisville Male High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Louisville Collegiate School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+)
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#5. Beechwood Village, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 692
– Population: 1,302
– Median household income: $114,375
– Median home value: $324,600 (85% own)
– Median rent: $996 (15% rent)
– Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (grade A+), J. Graham Brown School (grade A), Louisville Male High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Louisville Collegiate School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+)
#4. Anchorage, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 512
– Population: 2,419
– Median household income: $202,917
– Median home value: $749,000 (93% own)
– Median rent: $1,802 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (grade A+), Anchorage Independent Public School (grade A+), J. Graham Brown School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Kentucky Country Day School (grade A+), Louisville Collegiate School (grade A+), Walden School (grade A+)
#3. Wilder, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 494
– Population: 3,152
– Median household income: $66,250
– Median home value: $135,100 (76% own)
– Median rent: $1,202 (24% rent)
– Top public schools: Donald E. Cline Elementary School (grade A), Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students (grade A minus), Campbell County Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: The Seven Hills School (grade A+), The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), Covington Latin School (grade A)
#2. Park Hills, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 335
– Population: 3,159
– Median household income: $89,167
– Median home value: $252,500 (64% own)
– Median rent: $884 (36% rent)
– Top public schools: Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students (grade A minus), Ft. Wright Elementary School (grade A minus), Turkey Foot Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: The Seven Hills School (grade A+), The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), St. Xavier High School (grade A+)
#1. Fort Thomas, Kentucky
– Overall Rank: 312
– Population: 17,310
– Median household income: $95,391
– Median home value: $273,700 (72% own)
– Median rent: $1,025 (28% rent)
– Top public schools: Woodfill Elementary School (grade A), Moyer Elementary School (grade A), Johnson Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Seven Hills School (grade A+), The Summit Country Day School (grade A+), St. Xavier High School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
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By Stacker
