1st Advantage MortgageThe median Ballard County household earns $66,164, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in Ballard County
- How much Ballard County households make
- Employment and commuting in Ballard County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Ballard County
- Towns and communities in Ballard County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Ballard County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Ballard County borrowers
- A Ballard County household budget, worked through
- Steps before you apply in Ballard County
- Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Ballard County
Ballard County is home to about 7,654 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 110th most populous of 120 county-level areas in Kentucky. It covers 247 square miles of land, or about 31 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Paducah, KY-IL metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Ballard County, Wickliffe leads by population with about 797; 5 of the 7 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Ballard County figure on this page as a rough guide.
How much Ballard County households make
Ballard County households have a median income of $66,164 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 22nd of 120 in Kentucky.
| Household income | Ballard County | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.9% | -3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.1% | +3.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.5% | +1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.5% | -1.7 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 30% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 15.0%, 1 point lower than the state's 16.1%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.435 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Ballard County median.
Employment and commuting in Ballard County
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 14%. Transportation, warehousing and utilities stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Ballard County averages 1.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). Long commutes are common here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 4.2% of the total (6.8% statewide).
| Where residents work | Ballard County | Difference from Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.1% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.7% | -0.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 10.2% | +3.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.9% | -1.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.8% | -1.2 pts |
| Construction | 7.7% | +1.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rent, home values and ownership in Ballard County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $817 in Ballard County versus $967 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 35% of renter households here. Home values center on $145,800, or 2.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 76%. Median construction year: 1982.
| Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $817/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $145,800 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 12% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 10% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Ballard County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Towns and communities in Ballard County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Ballard County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 3,125 residents, leaving about 59% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $56,776 at the median in La Center, $27,054 in Barlow. Rent is cheapest in Barlow ($538) and steepest in La Center ($900). Live in one of these Ballard County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wickliffe | city | 797 | $34,509 | n/a | 7 mi |
| La Center | city | 694 | $56,776 | $900 | 3 mi |
| Kevil | city | 624 | $42,500 | $875 | 7 mi |
| Barlow | city | 564 | $27,054 | $538 | 2 mi |
| Bandana | CDP | 311 | $96,691 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Blandville | city | 107 | $47,500 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Lovelaceville | CDP | 28 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (13 to 22 miles). None of the six report a higher median household income than Ballard County; Massac County is highest at $65,116 and Pulaski County lowest at $42,463. The list crosses into Illinois, Missouri, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballard County | - | $66,164 | $817/mo | 76% |
| Pulaski County, IL | 13 mi | $42,463 | $634/mo | 68% |
| Carlisle County, KY | 14 mi | $62,439 | $792/mo | 80% |
| McCracken County, KY | 16 mi | $64,373 | $898/mo | 69% |
| Massac County, IL | 20 mi | $65,116 | $756/mo | 76% |
| Alexander County, IL | 21 mi | $47,043 | $656/mo | 78% |
| Mississippi County, MO | 22 mi | $48,160 | $762/mo | 63% |
Ballard County residents: age, schooling, coverage
18% of Ballard County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Ballard County | Kentucky | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.0 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.4% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.1% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.6% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.0% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.6% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Ballard County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 9.4% |
What the numbers mean for Ballard County borrowers
Based on the Ballard County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 16% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Older households. A 45.0 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
A Ballard County household budget, worked through
Ballard County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Ballard County: $5,514
- Rent at the median, $817, takes 15% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $1,985 total minus rent leaves $1,168
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,554 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Ballard County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Steps before you apply in Ballard County
Steps that save money for Ballard County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Ballard County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Ballard County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
Consumer lenders serving Ballard County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kentucky that is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Kentucky guide.
Related local guides
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Ballard County?
$66,164 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,726 for Kentucky. It ranks 22nd of 120 in the state.
Is Ballard County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $817 against $967 statewide, and 35% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Ballard County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 76% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Ballard County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Wickliffe, La Center, Kevil, Barlow, Bandana.
Are Ballard County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.