City Profile
Richmond, Kentucky
USA · Comprehensive city data and intelligence
Richmond, Kentucky, is a vibrant and historically rich city located in Madison County, serving as the home of Eastern Kentucky University. Founded in 1798, the city blends its rich Civil War history with a dynamic, growing community anchored by education, manufacturing, and healthcare. Nestled in the heart of the Bluegrass region, Richmond offers residents a scenic backdrop featuring rolling hills and easy access to outdoor destinations like the Daniel Boone National Forest and Fort Boonesborough State Park. The city provides a welcoming small-town atmosphere while maintaining modern amenities, making it an attractive destination for families, professionals, and university students alike.
Kentucky, known as the Bluegrass State, offers a blend of Southern charm and Midwestern practicality with a rich heritage rooted in horse racing, bourbon, and bluegrass music. The economy is diverse, with manufacturing (especially automotive), healthcare, and agriculture (including horses, cattle, corn, and tobacco) being major industries. Living in Kentucky is generally affordable, with the cost of living estimated to be 10-12% lower than the national average, particularly for housing. The state experiences a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons, featuring warm, humid summers and moderately cold, rainy winters. Residents enjoy a lifestyle that balances urban amenities in cities like Louisville and Lexington with abundant outdoor recreation opportunities and a strong sense of community.
How this 63/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
| Component | Readings used | Points | Weight | Contributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | Safety score: 70 / 100 | 70.0 | 30% | 21.0 |
| Affordability | Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 88.0 | 58.8 | 25% | 14.7 |
| Economy & jobs | Median household income: $53,500 Income needed to live here: $45,000 Unemployment rate: 4.2% | 60.6 | 20% | 12.1 |
| Growth | Population growth rate: 1.4% Job growth rate: 1.8% | 58.0 | 15% | 8.7 |
| Business climate assessment | Business climate assessment: 67 / 100 | 67.0 | 10% | 6.7 |
| Overall score | 63.2 | |||
Provenance.
These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as
Tier 1 (fast) (q=52, partial — below threshold), last refreshed
16 October 2026.
They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.
Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.
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Cost of Living
The cost of living in Richmond is notably lower than the national average, making it an attractive destination for budget-conscious families and retirees. Housing costs, in particular, remain quite affordable compared to larger metropolitan areas in Kentucky and the broader United States. Everyday expenses such as groceries, utilities, and transportation also track below national medians, allowing residents to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without excessive financial strain.
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Richmond's economy is anchored by education, healthcare, and manufacturing, with Eastern Kentucky University serving as the area's largest employer. The city also features a diverse industrial base, hosting major manufacturing plants that contribute steady blue-collar and technical employment opportunities. Small businesses and retail sectors thrive along the major commercial corridors, supporting a stable local labor market with steady job growth.
The average salary in Richmond is $51,000 per year. You would need approximately $45,000 to live comfortably.
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Transportation in Richmond is primarily automobile-dependent, with major thoroughfares like Interstate 75 providing seamless access to Lexington and points beyond. While public transit options are limited primarily to local university shuttles and localized services, traffic congestion is generally mild compared to major urban centers. Walkability is concentrated mainly around the historic downtown square and the EKU campus.
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