RANK #347 / 996 · POP 62,442 · KY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.3%
Laurel County, Kentucky, is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken, with the original Harland Sanders Café and Museum located just north of Corbin. The county, with London as its seat, is situated in southeastern Kentucky, approximately 75 miles from Lexington. It offers a blend of natural beauty and historical significance, with portions of the Daniel Boone National Forest and Laurel River Lake providing extensive opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, and scuba diving. The community maintains a connection to its pioneer past through sites like Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, which features hiking trails along historic routes.
Life in Laurel County offers a relatively affordable cost of living. The local economy is supported by a mix of manufacturing, agriculture, and retail, with ongoing efforts to attract new businesses through the development of industrial parks. London, the largest town, is recognized as the "Cycling Capital of Kentucky" due to its trails. The Laurel County Public Schools system serves the area, with London being home to several elementary, middle, and high schools. Residents tend to own their homes, and the area is considered family-friendly.
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Laurel County has a Boom Town Index score of 65/100, ranking #347 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.4% and a median household income of $53,693, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Laurel County is $141,300 with median rent at $772/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.38, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.4%. Home values changed +2.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.33% of Laurel County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.