1st Advantage MortgageCarroll County households have a median income of $56,466 and median rent of $910 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
- Carroll County by the numbers
- How Carroll County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Carroll County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Carroll County
- Counties near Carroll County
- Towns and communities in Carroll County
- A Carroll County household budget, worked through
- People and households in Carroll County
- Reading the Carroll County data as a borrower
- Licensing and complaints for Carroll County
- Checklist for Carroll County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Carroll County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Carroll County's population at 10,954; only 96 of Kentucky's 120 county-level areas are larger. It covers 129 square miles of land, or about 85 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Carroll County is not part of any metropolitan area. Carrollton is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 3,915 people (36% of the county total).
How Carroll County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Carroll County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 28% of workers, followed by education and health care (18%). Compared with Kentucky, the county leans toward manufacturing (28% against 14%). Averaged over the five survey years, 6.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 83% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Carroll County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 28.1% | +13.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.8% | -6.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.2% | +0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.1% | -3.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.5% | +0.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Carroll County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in Carroll County
Carroll County households have a median income of $56,466 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 63rd of 120 in Kentucky.
| Band | Carroll County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.0% | +5.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.3% | -2.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.4% | -0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -1.9 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 23.1%, 7 points higher than the state's 16.1%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Carroll County
A typical Carroll County rental runs $910 a month including utilities, which is 6% below Kentucky. By the Census definition, 34% of Carroll County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $140,900, or 2.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 66% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1983.
| Housing | Carroll County | Kentucky statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $910/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $140,900 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.7% | 10.7% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 10% | n/a |
Counties near Carroll County
Switzerland County is closest, 12 miles from center to center; the sixth, Owen County, is 19 miles off. All of the six report a higher median household income than Carroll County; Trimble County is highest at $66,027 and Owen County lowest at $61,134. The list crosses into Indiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll County | - | $56,466 | $910/mo | 66% |
| Switzerland County, IN | 12 mi | $65,343 | $758/mo | 79% |
| Trimble County, KY | 13 mi | $66,027 | $863/mo | 80% |
| Henry County, KY | 15 mi | $63,347 | $895/mo | 76% |
| Gallatin County, KY | 15 mi | $63,346 | $832/mo | 75% |
| Jefferson County, IN | 19 mi | $64,577 | $890/mo | 72% |
| Owen County, KY | 19 mi | $61,134 | $830/mo | 88% |
Towns and communities in Carroll County
Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 46% of Carroll County residents live in one of the 5. No Carroll County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrollton | city | 3,915 | $45,871 | $918 | 2 mi |
| Sanders | city | 435 | $39,524 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Ghent | city | 286 | $42,188 | $1,034 | 5 mi |
| Prestonville | city | 192 | n/a | $817 | 4 mi |
| Worthville | city | 176 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
A Carroll County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Carroll County's medians:
- $4,706 a month: gross income for a household at the Carroll County median
- 19% goes to median rent ($910)
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $784 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Carroll County
College graduates make up 11% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 10.7%, against 6.0% for Kentucky.
| Residents | Carroll County | Kentucky | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.5 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.4% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.4% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.7% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.4% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.8% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.1% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.1% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Carroll County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.4% |
| 60+ min | 7.4% |
Reading the Carroll County data as a borrower
Based on the Carroll County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 11% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Mobile home upkeep. 20% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Free help first. 23% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Licensing and complaints for Carroll County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Carroll County borrowers answers to 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.
Checklist for Carroll County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Carroll County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Carroll County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Kentucky.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kentucky guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Carroll County?
$56,466 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,726 for Kentucky. It ranks 63rd of 120 in the state.
What do renters pay in Carroll County?
$910 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
Which towns does the Carroll County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Carrollton, Sanders, Ghent, Prestonville, Worthville.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Carroll County or elsewhere in Kentucky, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Carroll County check a lender's license?
With the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.