1st Advantage MortgageThe median Estill County household earns $46,051, and 21% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Estill County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Estill County
- Jobs and commutes in Estill County
- What it costs to live in Estill County
- Counties near Estill County
- Estill County towns compared
- More Estill County figures
- Borrowing situations common in Estill County
- Debt-to-income at Estill County's medians
- Steps before you apply in Estill County
- Licensing and complaints for Estill County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Estill County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Estill County's population at 14,035; only 77 of Kentucky's 120 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 253 square miles, that is close to 55 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Estill County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Irvine is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 2,723 people (19% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Estill County
At $46,051, the typical Estill County household income is 30% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Estill County | Difference from Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 39.2% | +11.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.9% | +1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.5% | -7.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.4% | -4.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 18% of Estill County households make $100,000 or more, and 39% make less than $35,000. Census counts 20.7% of Estill County residents in poverty, against 16.1% across Kentucky. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.446 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Estill County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Jobs and commutes in Estill County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Estill County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. Compared with Kentucky, the county leans toward public administration (8% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.0% in Estill County. About 76% drive to work alone and 28% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Estill County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.7% | -3.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.0% | +3.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.6% | +2.0 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +2.2 pts |
| Public administration | 8.4% | +4.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.3% | -0.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Estill County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What it costs to live in Estill County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $711 in Estill County versus $967 statewide. 44% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. Home values center on $119,500, or 2.6 years of median income. The ownership rate is 70%.
| Housing | Estill County | Kentucky statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $711/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $119,500 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 23% | n/a |
Counties near Estill County
Six nearby counties, 11 to 24 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Clark County leads the group on income ($64,348), Owsley County trails ($22,188), and Estill County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estill County | - | $46,051 | $711/mo | 70% |
| Powell County, KY | 11 mi | $40,309 | $747/mo | 68% |
| Lee County, KY | 15 mi | $37,568 | $603/mo | 78% |
| Madison County, KY | 17 mi | $63,351 | $889/mo | 62% |
| Jackson County, KY | 20 mi | $40,000 | $665/mo | 77% |
| Clark County, KY | 22 mi | $64,348 | $938/mo | 71% |
| Owsley County, KY | 24 mi | $22,188 | $448/mo | 70% |
Estill County towns compared
2 Census places fall mainly inside Estill County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 3,365 residents, leaving about 76% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irvine | city | 2,723 | $42,805 | $710 | 0 mi |
| Ravenna | city | 642 | $47,250 | $853 | 1 mi |
More Estill County figures
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Estill County | Kentucky | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.4 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.2% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 21.4% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.3% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.9% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.0% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.7% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.0% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.7% |
| 60+ min | 20.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Estill County
Where the Estill County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Commuter costs. 28% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 22% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 21% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
Debt-to-income at Estill County's medians
How much room does a median Estill 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: $3,838 before taxes
- Less median rent of $711, which is 19% of it
- At 43%, room after rent is $939 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Estill County's.
Steps before you apply in Estill County
A short checklist for Estill County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Estill County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Estill County-area credit union.
- A Kentucky license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Licensing and complaints for Estill County
Consumer lenders serving Estill County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kentucky that is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Kentucky: Kentucky personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Estill County household make?
About $46,051 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 28% below the Kentucky median.
How does Estill County rent compare with Kentucky?
$711 locally versus $967 for the state, 26% below.
Should Estill County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 70% of Estill County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Estill County?
By population: Irvine, Ravenna. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Are Estill 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.