1st Advantage MortgageThe median Caldwell County household earns $59,583, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- First look: Caldwell County, KY
- Employment and commuting in Caldwell County
- How much Caldwell County households make
- Rent, home values and ownership in Caldwell County
- What stands out in Caldwell County
- The counties around Caldwell County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Caldwell County
- People and households in Caldwell County
- Debt-to-income, Caldwell County edition
- Borrowing situations common in Caldwell County
- Steps before you apply in Caldwell County
- Licensing and complaints for Caldwell County
- Beyond Caldwell County
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Caldwell County, KY
Caldwell County is home to about 12,618 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 87th most populous of 120 county-level areas in Kentucky. It covers 345 square miles of land, or about 37 people per square mile. Metro status: none; Caldwell County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Largest place: Princeton, about 6,241 residents (49% of Caldwell County); 3 Census places in all.
Employment and commuting in Caldwell County
Top Caldwell County industry by residents employed: manufacturing, 20%; second, education and health care, 18%. Caldwell County over-indexes on agriculture, forestry and mining: 8% versus 2% in Kentucky. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 81% drive to work alone and 20% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Caldwell County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 20.0% | +5.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.4% | -5.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.5% | +2.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.8% | +6.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.7% | +0.7 pts |
| Public administration | 7.0% | +2.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How much Caldwell County households make
Half of Caldwell County households take in less than $59,583 a year and half take in more, 7% below the Kentucky median of $63,726.
| Band | Caldwell County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.2% | +4.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.1% | +0.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.1% | -0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -3.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of Caldwell County households make $100,000 or more, and 32% make less than $35,000. Census counts 15.1% of Caldwell County residents in poverty, against 16.1% across Kentucky. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Caldwell County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Caldwell County
Renters in Caldwell County pay a median of $767 a month, 21% below the Kentucky figure of $967. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 17% spend half or more. Caldwell County homes are worth $118,500 at the median, a 2.0-to-1 ratio to income. In Caldwell County, 70% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Half the housing stock was built before 1975.
| Housing | Caldwell County | Kentucky statewide | Caldwell County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 45% | -4.3 pts |
| Median home value | $118,500 | $205,600 | 42% lower |
| Median gross rent | $767/mo | $967/mo | 21% lower |
| Owners | 70% | 68% | +1.9 pts |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 23% | +0.1 pts |
What stands out in Caldwell County
Ranked against the other 119 county-level areas in Kentucky, these are the Caldwell County figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Kentucky counties match Caldwell County on the uninsured rate: 8.2% here, 6.0% for the state, ranking 17th highest of 120. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
- Caldwell County ranks 20th lowest of 120 Kentucky counties for the share of workers who work from home: 4.0%, against 10.2% statewide. Few remote jobs means most pay stubs come from local employers.
The counties around Caldwell County
Lyon County is closest, 15 miles from center to center; the sixth, Livingston County, is 27 miles off. Income ranges from $46,656 in Crittenden County to $65,066 in Lyon County; 2 of these neighbors top Caldwell County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell County | - | $59,583 | $767/mo | 70% |
| Lyon County, KY | 15 mi | $65,066 | $747/mo | 80% |
| Crittenden County, KY | 19 mi | $46,656 | $714/mo | 78% |
| Hopkins County, KY | 21 mi | $56,815 | $837/mo | 71% |
| Trigg County, KY | 24 mi | $59,857 | $803/mo | 77% |
| Christian County, KY | 27 mi | $55,494 | $1,040/mo | 50% |
| Livingston County, KY | 27 mi | $58,984 | $926/mo | 81% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Caldwell County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Caldwell County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 8,658 people, so roughly 31% of residents live outside any named place. Princeton and every other Caldwell County community use this county guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton | city | 6,241 | $47,411 | $762 | 3 mi |
| Dawson Springs | city | 1,951 | $32,838 | $538 | 10 mi |
| Fredonia | city | 466 | $66,964 | $950 | 11 mi |
People and households in Caldwell County
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. Uninsured, Caldwell County: 8.2%; Kentucky: 6.0%.
| Residents | Caldwell County | Difference from Kentucky | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.1% | -10.5 pts | -5.1 pts |
| Work from home | 4.0% | -6.2 pts | -4.6 pts |
| Median age | 42.4 | +3.3 yrs | +0.9 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 8.8% | -2.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | +2.2 pts | +0.4 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | -1.1 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 15.1% | -0.9 pts | +2.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | -0.5 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.6% |
| 60+ min | 8.2% |
Debt-to-income, Caldwell County edition
Caldwell County's $59,583 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Monthly gross at the median, Caldwell County: $4,965
- Rent at the median, $767, takes 15% of that
- Under a 35% cap, $1,738 total minus rent leaves $971
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,467 left for all other debt payments
Homeowners in Caldwell County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Borrowing situations common in Caldwell County
Where the Caldwell County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 20% of Caldwell County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Steps before you apply in Caldwell County
Quick steps for Caldwell County:
- Price the Caldwell County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Caldwell County
Consumer lenders serving Caldwell County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kentucky that is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response.
Beyond Caldwell County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Caldwell County rank on income in Kentucky?
55th of 120, with a median of $59,583. The state median is $63,726.
How does Caldwell County rent compare with Kentucky?
$767 locally versus $967 for the state, 21% below.
Does this page cover Princeton?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Caldwell County, such as Dawson Springs, Fredonia.
Are Caldwell 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.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Caldwell County?
Look it up with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.