1st Advantage MortgageBoone County households have a median income of $99,414 and median rent of $1,373 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Who lives in Boone County
- The Boone County job picture
- Income in Boone County compared with Kentucky
- Renting and owning in Boone County
- Boone County next to its neighbors
- The communities that make up Boone County
- Room for a loan payment in Boone County
- People and households in Boone County
- Before borrowing in Boone County
- Checklist for Boone County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Boone County
Roughly 139,841 residents live in Boone County, Kentucky, 5th by population among the state's 120 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 246 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 568 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 10 Census places inside Boone County, Florence leads by population with about 32,803; 2 of the 10 are incorporated.
The Boone County job picture
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Boone County residents work in education and health care and 14% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in transportation, warehousing and utilities, at 10% locally and 7% for Kentucky. The survey's unemployment rate for Boone County averages 3.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). Long commutes are the exception here: 11% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Boone County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.2% | -4.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.3% | 0.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.4% | +2.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | -0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.9% | +2.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | -0.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Income in Boone County compared with Kentucky
Half of Boone County households take in less than $99,414 a year and half take in more, 56% above the Kentucky median of $63,726. In the state ranking that is 3rd of 120.
| Households earning | Boone County | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 13.5% | -14.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.8% | -5.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 35.5% | +12.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 14.2% | +7.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 50% of Boone County households make $100,000 or more, and 14% make less than $35,000. 6.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.1%). A household earning below the $99,414 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Renting and owning in Boone County
Renters in Boone County pay a median of $1,373 a month, 42% above the Kentucky figure of $967. By the Census definition, 40% of Boone County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $277,300, about 2.8 times the median household income. Owners occupy 76% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1996.
| Home costs | Boone County | Kentucky | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,373/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $277,300 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 4% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Boone County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Boone County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Boone County's, from 11 to 19 miles away. Income ranges from $63,346 in Gallatin County to $84,735 in Dearborn County; none of these neighbors top Boone County's median. The list crosses into Indiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone County | - | $99,414 | $1,373/mo | 76% |
| Kenton County, KY | 11 mi | $80,548 | $1,069/mo | 71% |
| Ohio County, IN | 12 mi | $70,392 | $898/mo | 81% |
| Gallatin County, KY | 16 mi | $63,346 | $832/mo | 75% |
| Dearborn County, IN | 18 mi | $84,735 | $845/mo | 85% |
| Switzerland County, IN | 18 mi | $65,343 | $758/mo | 79% |
| Campbell County, KY | 19 mi | $77,567 | $1,145/mo | 71% |
The communities that make up Boone County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Boone County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 88,238 residents, leaving about 37% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $71,003 in Florence to $159,371 in Francisville. Median rent ranges from $1,329 in Florence to $1,665 in Oakbrook. Live in one of these Boone County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | city | 32,803 | $71,003 | $1,329 | 5 mi |
| Burlington | CDP | 18,008 | $109,308 | $1,489 | 4 mi |
| Francisville | CDP | 10,565 | $159,371 | $1,420 | 10 mi |
| Oakbrook | CDP | 10,211 | $94,652 | $1,665 | 4 mi |
| Union | city | 7,642 | $136,712 | $1,657 | 3 mi |
| Hebron | CDP | 6,407 | $106,719 | $1,491 | 7 mi |
| Verona | CDP | 1,394 | $144,507 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Petersburg | CDP | 771 | $101,389 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Belleview | CDP | 262 | $34,423 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Rabbit Hash | CDP | 175 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Room for a loan payment in Boone County
Here is the Boone County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $8,284 before taxes
- Less median rent of $1,373, which is 17% of it
- Under a 43% cap, $3,562 total minus rent leaves $2,189
Two-income households and single earners in Boone County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Boone County
College graduates make up 36% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 5.1%, against 6.0% for Kentucky.
| People and households | Boone County | Kentucky | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.7% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.6% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.1% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.5% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.4% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.3% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.5% |
Before borrowing in Boone County
Based on the Boone County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Higher earners. 50% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Checklist for Boone County applicants
A short checklist for Boone County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Kentucky borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Kentucky license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Kentucky state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kentucky guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Boone County?
$99,414 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,726 for Kentucky. It ranks 3rd of 120 in the state.
How does Boone County rent compare with Kentucky?
$1,373 locally versus $967 for the state, 42% above.
Does this page cover Florence?
Yes, along with the other 9 Census places in Boone County, such as Burlington, Francisville, Oakbrook.
Can Boone County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Kentucky county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Boone County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Kentucky it is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions.