The Town Files

25 Small Towns in Kentucky With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 94 towns of 500–10,000 people in Kentucky. #1 is Barbourville, KY (0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950).

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Numbers match the ranking.

  1. 25Marion, Kentucky

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Marion is a city of 2,916 people in Crittenden County, Kentucky. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F3 on November 6, 2005.

    2,916 people · Crittenden County · median home $97,300 · income $39,414 · Jan low 25°F · 6 in snow

    Full Marion, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Marion by decade'501'601'701'801'908'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  2. 24Williamstown, Kentucky

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Williamstown is a city of 3,894 people in Grant County, Kentucky. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F2 on July 12, 1986.

    3,894 people · Grant County · median home $209,800 · income $95,050 · Jan low 25°F · 16 in snow

    Full Williamstown, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Williamstown by decade'50'601'702'80'90'003'107'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  3. 23Scottsville, Kentucky

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Scottsville is a city of 4,299 people in Allen County, Kentucky. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an EF3 on February 6, 2008.

    4,299 people · Allen County · median home $160,700 · income $35,562 · Jan low 26°F · 8 in snow

    Full Scottsville, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Scottsville by decade'50'601'701'803'902'004'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  4. 22Mount Sterling, Kentucky

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Mount Sterling, Kentucky
    Photo: Publichall (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Mount Sterling is a city of 7,558 people in Montgomery County, Kentucky. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974.

    7,558 people · Montgomery County · median home $187,600 · income $55,827 · Jan low 22°F · 9 in snow

    Full Mount Sterling, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Mount Sterling by decade2'50'602'701'801'903'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  5. 21Russell Springs, Kentucky

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Russell Springs is a city of 2,715 people in Russell County, Kentucky. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F4 on April 27, 1971.

    2,715 people · Russell County · median home $170,300 · income $38,697 · Jan low 25°F · 5 in snow

    Full Russell Springs, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Russell Springs by decade'501'603'702'801'90'003'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  6. 20Westwood, Kentucky

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Westwood is a community of 4,387 people in Boyd County, Kentucky. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F3 on April 8, 1965.

    4,387 people · Boyd County · median home $92,200 · income $73,511 · Jan low 23°F · 6 in snow

    Full Westwood, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Westwood by decade'501'601'705'801'90'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  7. 19Columbia, Kentucky

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Columbia is a city of 4,845 people in Adair County, Kentucky. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F4 on April 27, 1971.

    4,845 people · Adair County · median home $143,600 · income $47,299 · Jan low 26°F · 8 in snow

    Full Columbia, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Columbia by decade'502'602'701'803'901'003'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  8. 18Russell, Kentucky

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Russell is a city of 3,744 people in Greenup County, Kentucky. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F2 on July 12, 1980.

    3,744 people · Greenup County · median home $211,900 · income $76,182 · Jan low 23°F · 6 in snow

    Full Russell, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Russell by decade'50'601'705'801'90'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  9. 17Cynthiana, Kentucky

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Cynthiana is a city of 6,333 people in Harrison County, Kentucky. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F3 on April 3, 1974.

    6,333 people · Harrison County · median home $172,500 · income $54,647 · Jan low 23°F · 16 in snow

    Full Cynthiana, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Cynthiana by decade'501'603'70'801'901'004'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  10. 16Flemingsburg, Kentucky

    10 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Flemingsburg is a city of 2,953 people in Fleming County, Kentucky. 10 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F2 on June 16, 1982.

    2,953 people · Fleming County · median home $132,800 · income $35,493 · Jan low 23°F · 9 in snow

    Full Flemingsburg, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Flemingsburg by decade'501'60'703'801'901'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  11. 15Stanton, Kentucky

    10 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Stanton, Kentucky
    Photo: Nyttend (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Stanton is a city of 3,251 people in Powell County, Kentucky. 10 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F3 on April 3, 1974.

    3,251 people · Powell County · median home $123,000 · income $25,417 · Jan low 23°F · 12 in snow

    Full Stanton, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Stanton by decade'50'603'703'803'901'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  12. 14Flatwoods, Kentucky

    10 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Flatwoods is a city of 7,325 people in Greenup County, Kentucky. 10 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F2 on July 12, 1980.

    7,325 people · Greenup County · median home $114,600 · income $59,972 · Jan low 23°F · 9 in snow

    Full Flatwoods, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Flatwoods by decade'50'601'704'801'90'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  13. 13Middlesborough, Kentucky

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Middlesborough is a city of 9,405 people in Bell County, Kentucky. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F3 on May 9, 1988.

    9,405 people · Bell County · median home $99,900 · income $31,106 · Jan low 23°F · 9 in snow

    Full Middlesborough, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Middlesborough by decade'50'60'701'802'903'002'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  14. 12Louisa, Kentucky

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Louisa, Kentucky
    Photo: Nyttend (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Louisa is a city of 2,679 people in Lawrence County, Kentucky. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an EF3 on March 2, 2012.

    2,679 people · Lawrence County · median home $120,500 · income $40,000 · Jan low 23°F · 15 in snow

    Full Louisa, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Louisa by decade'50'601'70'80'90'004'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  15. 11Monticello, Kentucky

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Monticello is a city of 5,753 people in Wayne County, Kentucky. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974.

    5,753 people · Wayne County · median home $132,400 · income $44,952 · Jan low 26°F · 14 in snow

    Full Monticello, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Monticello by decade'50'604'70'80'901'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  16. 10Corbin, Kentucky

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Corbin, Kentucky
    Photo: en:User:Notla (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Corbin is a city of 7,856 people in Whitley County, Kentucky. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an EF4 on May 16, 2025.

    7,856 people · Whitley County · median home $166,000 · income $51,065 · Jan low 27°F · 9 in snow

    Full Corbin, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Corbin by decade'50'601'701'80'902'001'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  17. 9Paintsville, Kentucky

    6 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Paintsville is a city of 4,312 people in Johnson County, Kentucky. 6 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an EF3 on March 2, 2012.

    4,312 people · Johnson County · median home $116,100 · income $28,257 · Jan low 23°F · 7 in snow

    Full Paintsville, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Paintsville by decade'50'60'70'801'90'005'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  18. 8Williamsburg, Kentucky

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Williamsburg, Kentucky
    Photo: GreenMGo (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Williamsburg is a city of 5,326 people in Whitley County, Kentucky. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F3 on March 12, 1967.

    5,326 people · Whitley County · median home $113,300 · income $38,147 · Jan low 25°F · 11 in snow

    Full Williamsburg, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Williamsburg by decade'503'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  19. 7West Liberty, Kentucky

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    West Liberty is a city of 3,215 people in Morgan County, Kentucky. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an EF3 on March 2, 2012.

    3,215 people · Morgan County · median home $206,300 · income $48,235 · Jan low 22°F · 12 in snow

    Full West Liberty, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of West Liberty by decade'50'60'70'801'90'002'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  20. 6Prestonsburg, Kentucky

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Prestonsburg, Kentucky
    Photo: Nyttend (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Prestonsburg is a city of 3,681 people in Floyd County, Kentucky. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an EF3 on March 2, 2012.

    3,681 people · Floyd County · median home $161,300 · income $25,746 · Jan low 23°F · 4 in snow

    Full Prestonsburg, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Prestonsburg by decade'50'60'70'80'90'002'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  21. 5Grayson, Kentucky

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Grayson is a city of 3,834 people in Carter County, Kentucky. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an EF1 on May 11, 2008.

    3,834 people · Carter County · median home $136,900 · income $27,542 · Jan low 22°F · 18 in snow

    Full Grayson, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Grayson by decade'50'60'701'80'901'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  22. 4Hazard, Kentucky

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Hazard is a city of 5,263 people in Perry County, Kentucky. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an EF1 on May 11, 2008.

    5,263 people · Perry County · median home $145,400 · income $51,016 · Jan low 25°F · 9 in snow

    Full Hazard, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Hazard by decade'50'60'70'801'901'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  23. 3Morehead, Kentucky

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Morehead is a city of 7,151 people in Rowan County, Kentucky. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an F1 on May 28, 1990.

    7,151 people · Rowan County · median home $184,900 · income $36,741 · Jan low 25°F · 7 in snow

    Full Morehead, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Morehead by decade'50'60'70'801'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  24. 2Pikeville, Kentucky

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Pikeville, Kentucky
    Photo: Nyttend (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Pikeville is a city of 7,754 people in Pike County, Kentucky. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19); the strongest was an EF1 on April 4, 2011.

    7,754 people · Pike County · median home $263,800 · income $39,955 · Jan low 26°F · 1 in snow

    Full Pikeville, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Pikeville by decade'50'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  25. 1Barbourville, Kentucky

    0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Barbourville is a city of 3,222 people in Knox County, Kentucky. No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles since 1950 (typical Kentucky town: 19).

    3,222 people · Knox County · median home $182,400 · income $22,046 · Jan low 25°F · 9 in snow

    Full Barbourville, Kentucky profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Barbourville by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More Kentucky rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 94 towns of 500–10,000 people in Kentucky (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: