RANK #471 / 996 · POP 65,145 · KY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.8%
Pulaski County, Kentucky, is defined by Lake Cumberland, often called the "Houseboat Capital of the World" and a major draw for tourism. Located in south-central Kentucky, with Somerset as its county seat, Pulaski County is about 76 miles south of Lexington. The community maintains a small-town feel despite its size as Kentucky's third-largest county by area. Commutes are generally smooth, with U.S. Highway 27 running north-south and Highway 80 east-west, intersecting in Somerset. Beyond boating and fishing on Lake Cumberland, outdoor recreation includes extensive hiking and mountain biking trails at Pulaski County Park, which also offers camping and disc golf.
Life in Pulaski County offers an affordable cost of living compared to national averages, with many residents owning their homes. The public school systems, including Pulaski County Public Schools and Somerset Independent Schools, are highly rated and provide varied educational opportunities. The local economy is supported by agriculture, manufacturing, and a significant tourism sector driven by Lake Cumberland. Recent economic developments have seen investments in data centers, energy, and infrastructure, contributing to job growth and a stable market.
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.9x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Pulaski County Data Center (Project Goose/Poseidon)
Undisclosed Developer
|
$3,000M | Proposed |
|
Cooper Station Natural Gas Unit Expansion
East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC)
|
$745M | Planned |
|
Pulaski Solar Facility (405 MW)
Vistra
|
$650M | Under Construction |
|
Mammoth Central Solar (600 MW)
Doral Renewables LLC
|
$600M | Planned |
|
KY 461 Interchange Improvement and Road Widening
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (Federal BUILD grants)
|
$84M | Completed |
|
SPEDA Commerce Park Development
Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Pulaski County has a Boom Town Index score of 53/100, ranking #471 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.0% and a median household income of $48,768, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Pulaski County is $140,400 with median rent at $810/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3474, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.0%. Home values changed -5.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.74% of Pulaski County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.