1st Advantage MortgageDaviess County households have a median income of $68,214 and median rent of $918 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
- Getting oriented in Daviess County
- Daviess County housing compared with Kentucky
- Paychecks and income spread in Daviess County
- Jobs and commutes in Daviess County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Daviess County towns compared
- More Daviess County figures
- Reading the Daviess County data as a borrower
- What a median Daviess County budget can carry
- Lender oversight for Daviess County
- Four steps for Daviess County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Daviess County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Daviess County's population at 103,648; only 6 of Kentucky's 120 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 458 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 226 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Owensboro, KY metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Owensboro is the biggest of its 17 Census places, at roughly 60,302 people (58% of the county total).
Daviess County housing compared with Kentucky
Renters in Daviess County pay a median of $918 a month, 5% below the Kentucky figure of $967. By the Census definition, 42% of Daviess County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $199,900, or 2.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 68% of homes. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Daviess County | Kentucky statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $918/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $199,900 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.4% | 10.7% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 6% | 10% | n/a |
Paychecks and income spread in Daviess County
Daviess County households have a median income of $68,214 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 17th of 120 in Kentucky.
| Household income | Daviess County | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.0% | -1.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | +0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.9% | +2.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.8% | -0.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 32% of Daviess County households make $100,000 or more, and 26% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 14.7%, 1 point lower 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.
Jobs and commutes in Daviess County
The biggest employer of Daviess County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (19%). The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 19% locally and 14% for Kentucky. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.5% in Daviess County. About 84% drive to work alone and 8% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Daviess County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.9% | -1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.4% | +5.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | -0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.6% | +0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -1.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.0% | +1.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Daviess County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from McLean County at 17 miles out to Warrick County at 27. Warrick County leads the group on income ($89,844), Ohio County trails ($57,798), and Daviess County out-earns 4 of the six. Some neighbors are in Indiana. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Daviess County resident follows Kentucky rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daviess County | - | $68,214 | $918/mo | 68% |
| McLean County, KY | 17 mi | $65,596 | $641/mo | 83% |
| Hancock County, KY | 18 mi | $65,464 | $740/mo | 77% |
| Spencer County, IN | 20 mi | $74,506 | $751/mo | 81% |
| Ohio County, KY | 22 mi | $57,798 | $739/mo | 77% |
| Henderson County, KY | 27 mi | $58,851 | $777/mo | 65% |
| Warrick County, IN | 27 mi | $89,844 | $1,061/mo | 82% |
Daviess County towns compared
17 Census places fall mainly inside Daviess County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 73,155 residents, leaving about 29% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $121,579 at the median in Sorgho, $56,357 in Owensboro. Median rent ranges from $810 in Thruston to $905 in Owensboro. Live in one of these Daviess County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owensboro | city | 60,302 | $56,357 | $905 | 2 mi |
| Sorgho | CDP | 2,960 | $121,579 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Masonville | CDP | 2,887 | $83,241 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Thruston | CDP | 2,581 | $69,922 | $810 | 6 mi |
| Philpot | CDP | 1,036 | $87,692 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Whitesville | city | 661 | $85,000 | $844 | 12 mi |
| Yelvington | CDP | 594 | $68,176 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Pleasant Ridge | CDP | 487 | $41,798 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Stanley | CDP | 448 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Maceo | CDP | 418 | n/a | $957 | 10 mi |
| Moseleyville | CDP | 269 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Knottsville | CDP | 245 | $96,513 | n/a | 10 mi |
| St. Joseph | CDP | 144 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Curdsville | CDP | 54 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
More Daviess County figures
College graduates make up 26% of the adult population. About 5% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Daviess County | Kentucky | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.6 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.2% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.1% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.9% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.1% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.7% |
| 60+ min | 3.8% |
Reading the Daviess County data as a borrower
Based on the Daviess County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
What a median Daviess County budget can carry
How much room does a median Daviess County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,684 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $918, takes 16% of that
- $1,356: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $918, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Lender oversight for Daviess County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Daviess County resident can confirm its license with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Kentucky guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Daviess County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Daviess County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Daviess County household make?
About $68,214 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 7% above the Kentucky median.
How does Daviess County rent compare with Kentucky?
$918 locally versus $967 for the state, 5% below.
Which towns does the Daviess County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 17 Census places: Owensboro, Sorgho, Masonville, Thruston, Philpot.
Can Daviess 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.
Where can someone in Daviess 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.