D

Shelby Gap, KY

Source:

Affordability Score: 47/100

Population: 445 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Shelby Gap, KY aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 445 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of D (47/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $46,250, median home value of $147,200, median rent of $859 per month, and 14.0% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $977 per month (studio $698, 1BR $745, 3BR $1,171, 4BR $1,552). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $5,895 per year, consuming 13% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Pressure points are income, education. Unemployment currently reads 5.0% and poverty 26.5% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income F
$46,250
Median household income
Education F
14.0%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing C+
3.2x
Home value $147,200 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent C+
$977/mo
2BR fair market rent (25% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C+
$5,895/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$46,250
▼ 25% vs national
Per Capita Income
$21,793
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
Poverty Rate
26.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
$147,200
▼ 46% vs national
Median Rent
$859/mo
Owner Occupied
83.7%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$977/mo
▼ 19% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$698
1BR
$745
2BR
$977
3BR
$1,171
4BR
$1,552

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
14.0%
▼ 16 ppt vs national
High School+
62.2%
Median Age
43.5
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$5,895/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$5,868/yr
Preschool (Center)
$5,868/yr
School-Age (Center)
$5,868/yr

What This Means

Shelby Gap, KY receives an overall affordability grade of D (47/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 445. Challenges include income and education. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Shelby Gap, KY affordable?
Shelby Gap, KY receives an overall affordability grade of D (47/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $46,250. Median home value is $147,200.
What is the cost of living in Shelby Gap?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $859/mo. 2BR fair market rent $977/mo. Infant childcare $5,895/yr. Median home value $147,200.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →