1st Advantage MortgageIn Franklin County, Kentucky, the typical household earns $65,298 a year and the typical rent is $967. 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
- First look: Franklin County, KY
- Household income in Franklin County
- Employment and commuting in Franklin County
- Franklin County at the extremes
- Rent, home values and ownership in Franklin County
- Franklin County towns compared
- Regional comparison for Franklin County
- What the numbers mean for Franklin County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Franklin County's medians
- People and households in Franklin County
- Licensing and complaints for Franklin County
- Checklist for Franklin County applicants
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Franklin County, KY
With an estimated 51,842 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Franklin County ranks 19th of 120 in Kentucky for population. It covers 208 square miles of land, or about 249 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Franklin County is not part of any metropolitan area. Largest place: Frankfort, about 28,503 residents (55% of Franklin County); 1 Census place in all.
Household income in Franklin County
At $65,298, the typical Franklin County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Franklin County | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.8% | -3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.6% | +0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.5% | +3.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.1% | -1.1 pts |
25% under $35,000 and 33% at $100,000 or more: that is the Franklin County income split. Poverty rate, Franklin County: 13.6%; Kentucky: 16.1%. None of these numbers decides a Franklin County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Franklin County
The biggest employer of Franklin County residents, by industry, is public administration at 19% of workers, followed by education and health care (17%). Public administration stands out: 19% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Unemployment in Franklin County, ACS five-year: 5.9%; Kentucky: 4.9%. 44% of Franklin County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 10% need 45 or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Franklin County | Gap to Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Public administration | 19.3% | +15.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.2% | -7.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.7% | -2.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.8% | +2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | -0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.6% | +0.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Franklin County at the extremes
Ranked against the other 119 county-level areas in Kentucky, these are the Franklin County figures furthest from the middle.
- On the share of workers who work from home, Franklin County sits near the top of Kentucky at 14.2%, 4th highest of 120. Remote and self-employed income may need tax returns as proof.
- The housing vacancy rate: 6% in Franklin County. Only 7 of 120 Kentucky counties are lower. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
- Few Kentucky counties match Franklin County on the share of mobile homes: 4.7% here, 10.7% for the state, ranking 12th lowest of 120. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
Rent, home values and ownership in Franklin County
Renters in Franklin County pay a median of $967 a month, in line with Kentucky's $967. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 44% in Franklin County, 45% statewide. Home values center on $216,600, or 3.3 years of median income. The ownership rate is 64%. Against the median U.S. county, Franklin County rent is 10% above.
| Home costs | Franklin County | Kentucky | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 6% | 10% | -4.3 pts |
| Owners | 64% | 68% | -3.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 45% | -1.8 pts |
| Median home value | $216,600 | $205,600 | 5% higher |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 23% | +0.5 pts |
| Median gross rent | $967/mo | $967/mo | level |
Franklin County towns compared
Just one Census place, Frankfort, lies mainly within Franklin County; it holds about 28,503 people. Frankfort and every other Franklin County community use this county guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfort | city | 28,503 | $53,073 | $944 | 3 mi |
Regional comparison for Franklin County
Woodford County is closest, 15 miles from center to center; the sixth, Henry County, is 20 miles off. Scott County leads the group on income ($85,158), Owen County trails ($61,134), and Franklin County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | - | $65,298 | $967/mo | 64% |
| Woodford County, KY | 15 mi | $83,788 | $1,138/mo | 72% |
| Scott County, KY | 16 mi | $85,158 | $1,247/mo | 72% |
| Anderson County, KY | 17 mi | $74,488 | $927/mo | 78% |
| Owen County, KY | 18 mi | $61,134 | $830/mo | 88% |
| Shelby County, KY | 20 mi | $82,604 | $1,033/mo | 74% |
| Henry County, KY | 20 mi | $63,347 | $895/mo | 76% |
What the numbers mean for Franklin County borrowers
Franklin County-specific points to check:
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Franklin County borrower sees (free reports).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Debt-to-income at Franklin County's medians
DTI math using Franklin County medians ($65,298 income, $967 rent):
- Monthly gross at the median, Franklin County: $5,442
- 18% goes to median rent ($967)
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,373 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Franklin County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 32% of Franklin County adults. About 5% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Franklin County | Compared with Kentucky | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.9% | +4.3 pts | +9.7 pts |
| Work from home | 14.2% | +4.0 pts | +5.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.2% | -3.9 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 13.6% | -2.4 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Median age | 40.8 | +1.7 yrs | -0.7 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | -0.8 pts | +0.5 pts |
| No health insurance | 5.4% | -0.6 pts | -2.4 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Franklin County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Licensing and complaints for Franklin County
Consumer lenders serving Franklin County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kentucky that is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide.
Checklist for Franklin County applicants
A short checklist for Franklin County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Keep exploring
No city in Franklin County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Franklin County rank on income in Kentucky?
28th of 120, with a median of $65,298. The state median is $63,726.
How does Franklin County rent compare with Kentucky?
$967 locally, close to the state figure.
Which towns does the Franklin County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 1 Census places: Frankfort.
Is the fit check different in Franklin County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Franklin County?
Look it up with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.