1st Advantage MortgageIn Allen County, Kentucky, the typical household earns $61,403 a year and the typical rent is $844. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Kentucky before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Allen County
- Income in Allen County compared with Kentucky
- Jobs and commutes in Allen County
- Allen County housing compared with Kentucky
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Allen County
- Allen County next to its neighbors
- A Allen County household budget, worked through
- Reading the Allen County data as a borrower
- Allen County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- A Allen County borrower's checklist
- Kentucky rules that apply in Allen County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Allen County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Allen County's population at 21,293; only 52 of Kentucky's 120 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 344 square miles, that is close to 62 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Bowling Green, KY metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Scottsville, with about 4,427 residents, or 21% of the county.
Income in Allen County compared with Kentucky
Half of Allen County households take in less than $61,403 a year and half take in more, 4% below the Kentucky median of $63,726. In the state ranking that is 40th of 120.
| Band | Allen County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.5% | +1.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.5% | +4.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.7% | -2.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.3% | -4.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 24% of Allen County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. 13.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.1%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in Allen County
The biggest employer of Allen County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by manufacturing (20%). Manufacturing stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 14% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Allen County averages 6.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). About 82% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Allen County workers | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.6% | -3.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.5% | +6.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | -0.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.9% | +3.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | -0.1 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Allen County housing compared with Kentucky
A typical Allen County rental runs $844 a month including utilities, which is 13% below Kentucky. By the Census definition, 42% of Allen County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $192,300, or 3.1 years of median income. Owners occupy 74% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1992.
| Measure | Allen County | Kentucky | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $844/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $192,300 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 20.1% | 10.7% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Allen County
Just one Census place, Scottsville, lies mainly within Allen County; it holds about 4,427 people. Live in one of these Allen County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsville | city | 4,427 | $35,562 | $784 | 1 mi |
Allen County next to its neighbors
Macon County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Trousdale County, is 25 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Allen County; Sumner County is highest at $90,301 and Barren County lowest at $50,628. Some neighbors are in Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Allen County resident follows Kentucky rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen County | - | $61,403 | $844/mo | 74% |
| Macon County, TN | 18 mi | $59,177 | $846/mo | 74% |
| Barren County, KY | 21 mi | $50,628 | $796/mo | 65% |
| Warren County, KY | 21 mi | $65,794 | $1,002/mo | 56% |
| Simpson County, KY | 22 mi | $59,858 | $1,012/mo | 67% |
| Sumner County, TN | 24 mi | $90,301 | $1,424/mo | 72% |
| Trousdale County, TN | 25 mi | $72,747 | $853/mo | 74% |
A Allen County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Allen County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,117 before taxes
- Median rent: $844, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 35% ceiling, about $947 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,459 a month
If your rent is above $844, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Reading the Allen County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Allen County borrowers.
- Long drives. With 19% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Allen County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 20% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Allen County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 7.6%, against 6.0% for Kentucky.
| Indicator | Allen County | All of Kentucky | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.4% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.7% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.6% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.7% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.9% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.4% |
| 60+ min | 8.2% |
A Allen County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Allen County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Kentucky license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Kentucky rules that apply in Allen County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Allen County resident can confirm its license with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Kentucky guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Allen County household make?
About $61,403 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 4% below the Kentucky median.
How much is rent in Allen County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $844 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Scottsville?
Yes, along with the other 0 Census places in Allen County.
Is the fit check different in Allen County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Allen County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Kentucky it is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions.