London
RANK #897 / 996 NAT · #18 / 19 KY · POP 62,442
1YR FORECAST: +0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +12%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Laurel County scores just 9/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #897 of 996 counties. Job growth at +0.4% and median household income of $53,693 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
By national standards, Laurel County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $141,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $772/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Laurel County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.4%). Home values shifted +2.2% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.33% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Laurel County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.