1st Advantage MortgageThe median Clark County household earns $64,348, 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
- Who lives in Clark County
- Where Clark County differs from the rest of Kentucky
- How much Clark County households make
- The Clark County housing market in figures
- Clark County industries and commutes
- Counties near Clark County
- Clark County communities by population
- Debt-to-income, Clark County edition
- Borrowing situations common in Clark County
- More Clark County figures
- Steps before you apply in Clark County
- Licensing and complaints for Clark County
- Other Kentucky guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Clark County
Clark County is home to about 37,192 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 27th most populous of 120 county-level areas in Kentucky. Density: about 147.3 residents per square mile across 252 square miles of land. Metro area: Lexington-Fayette, KY (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Winchester, with about 19,213 residents, or 52% of the county.
Where Clark County differs from the rest of Kentucky
Ranked against the other 119 county-level areas in Kentucky, these are the Clark County figures furthest from the middle.
- Clark County ranks 11th highest of 120 Kentucky counties for the share of workers who work from home: 12.3%, against 10.2% statewide. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
- Clark County ranks 15th highest of 120 Kentucky counties for the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 51%, against 45% statewide. Rent pressure leaves little room; stress-test any payment.
- Clark County ranks 20th highest of 120 Kentucky counties for median gross rent: $938/mo, against $967/mo statewide. High rent is the first thing a lender's ratio will see.
- The uninsured rate: 4.3% in Clark County. Only 21 of 120 Kentucky counties are lower. Even insured households face deductibles; ask the provider about a payment plan.
How much Clark County households make
The median household income in Clark County is $64,348, close to the statewide $63,726. That places it 33rd among Kentucky's 120 county-level areas.
| Household income | Clark County | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.1% | -2.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.3% | +2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.2% | +2.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.5% | -1.7 pts |
Six-figure households (31%) outnumber those under $35,000 (25%) in Clark County. Census counts 14.6% of Clark County residents in poverty, against 16.1% across Kentucky. A household earning below the $64,348 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Clark County housing market in figures
Renters in Clark County pay a median of $938 a month, 3% below the Kentucky figure of $967. About 5 in 10 Clark County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Home values center on $205,800, or 3.2 years of median income. Owners occupy 71% of homes. Median construction year: 1979. Nationally, Clark County's $938 rent is 7% above the middle county.
| Cost | Clark County | Kentucky figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 45% | +6.0 pts |
| Owners | 71% | 68% | +2.3 pts |
| Median gross rent | $938/mo | $967/mo | 3% lower |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | -0.2 pts |
| Median home value | $205,800 | $205,600 | level |
With rent burdens at 51%, keep any Clark County loan to the smallest amount that solves the problem.
Clark County industries and commutes
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 15%. Clark County over-indexes on construction: 8% versus 6% in Kentucky. The survey's unemployment rate for Clark County averages 4.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home. Households without a car make up 7.8% of the total (6.8% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Clark County workers | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.6% | +0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.7% | +0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +2.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.1% | -0.9 pts |
Self-employed in Clark County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Counties near Clark County
Distances run center to center, from Montgomery County at 14 miles out to Estill County at 22. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Clark County; Fayette County is highest at $69,479 and Powell County lowest at $40,309.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County | - | $64,348 | $938/mo | 71% |
| Montgomery County, KY | 14 mi | $56,396 | $830/mo | 68% |
| Bourbon County, KY | 16 mi | $61,354 | $822/mo | 64% |
| Fayette County, KY | 18 mi | $69,479 | $1,164/mo | 54% |
| Madison County, KY | 18 mi | $63,351 | $889/mo | 62% |
| Powell County, KY | 20 mi | $40,309 | $747/mo | 68% |
| Estill County, KY | 22 mi | $46,051 | $711/mo | 70% |
Clark County communities by population
Just one Census place, Winchester, lies mainly within Clark County; it holds about 19,213 people. This guide covers each of the 1 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | city | 19,213 | $54,378 | $916 | 3 mi |
Debt-to-income, Clark County edition
DTI math using Clark County medians ($64,348 income, $938 rent):
- Monthly gross at the median, Clark County: $5,362
- 17% goes to median rent ($938)
- Under a 36% cap, $1,930 total minus rent leaves $992
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,368 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Borrowing situations common in Clark County
- Clark County rent burden. 51% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
More Clark County figures
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. About 4% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Clark County | Difference from Kentucky | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.9% | -4.6 pts | +0.8 pts |
| Work from home | 12.3% | +2.1 pts | +3.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.3% | -1.7 pts | -3.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | -1.5 pts | +1.4 pts |
| Median age | 40.5 | +1.4 yrs | -1.0 yrs |
| No vehicle | 7.8% | +1.1 pts | +2.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | -0.5 pts | 0.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.9% | -0.2 pts | n/a |
| Commute length | Clark County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.9% |
| 60+ min | 4.3% |
Steps before you apply in Clark County
A short checklist for Clark County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Clark County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Clark County credit union about member loans.
Licensing and complaints for Clark County
Consumer lenders serving Clark County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kentucky that is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Kentucky guide.
Other Kentucky guides
Next step up from Clark County:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Clark County rank on income in Kentucky?
33rd of 120, with a median of $64,348. The state median is $63,726.
Can a Clark County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $938 median rent and $5,362 median monthly income, rent alone uses 17%; add other debts before a new payment.
Can Clark County owners borrow against a $205,800 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Is Winchester covered?
Yes. Winchester is one of 1 Census place in Clark County, and this guide covers all of them.
Is the fit check different in Clark County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.