1st Advantage MortgageJackson County households have a median income of $40,000 and median rent of $665 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
- Who lives in Jackson County
- How much Jackson County households make
- Jackson County housing compared with Kentucky
- Employment and commuting in Jackson County
- The communities that make up Jackson County
- Jackson County and the counties next door
- People and households in Jackson County
- Borrowing situations common in Jackson County
- Budget math at the Jackson County median
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Jackson County
With an estimated 13,086 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Jackson County ranks 82nd of 120 in Kentucky for population. It covers 345 square miles of land, or about 38 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jackson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Annville is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 1,063 people (8% of the county total).
How much Jackson County households make
Jackson County households have a median income of $40,000 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 109th of 120 in Kentucky.
| Band | Jackson County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 41.9% | +14.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.9% | -1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.0% | -7.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.3% | -5.9 pts |
About 42% of households earn under $35,000, while 17% clear $100,000. Census counts 19.5% of Jackson County residents in poverty, against 16.1% across Kentucky. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.438 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jackson County housing compared with Kentucky
Renters in Jackson County pay a median of $665 a month, 31% below the Kentucky figure of $967. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. With a median value of $111,500, a typical Jackson County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 77%.
| Housing | Jackson County | Kentucky statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $665/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $111,500 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 37% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 10% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Employment and commuting in Jackson County
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Jackson County residents work in manufacturing and 21% in education and health care. Compared with Kentucky, the county leans toward manufacturing (26% against 14%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.0% in Jackson County. Long commutes are common here: 35% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 9.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Jackson County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 25.6% | +11.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -3.5 pts |
| Public administration | 9.0% | +4.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.7% | -2.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.5% | -1.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The communities that make up Jackson County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Jackson County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 1,951 residents, leaving about 85% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Jackson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annville | CDP | 1,063 | $56,250 | n/a | 6 mi |
| McKee | city | 888 | $20,571 | $340 | 3 mi |
Jackson County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 16 to 24 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Laurel County leads the group on income ($57,771), Owsley County trails ($22,188), and Jackson County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $40,000 | $665/mo | 77% |
| Rockcastle County, KY | 16 mi | $48,862 | $676/mo | 74% |
| Owsley County, KY | 18 mi | $22,188 | $448/mo | 70% |
| Estill County, KY | 20 mi | $46,051 | $711/mo | 70% |
| Laurel County, KY | 21 mi | $57,771 | $813/mo | 72% |
| Lee County, KY | 22 mi | $37,568 | $603/mo | 78% |
| Clay County, KY | 24 mi | $40,900 | $724/mo | 76% |
People and households in Jackson County
Degree holders: 9% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 5.3%, against 6.0% for Kentucky.
| People and households | Jackson County | Kentucky | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 8.8% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 24.9% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.3% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.0% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.9% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.5% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Jackson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 18.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 19.5% |
| 60+ min | 16.0% |
Borrowing situations common in Jackson County
Based on the Jackson County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Keeping the car running. At 35% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Jackson County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 26% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- 19% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Budget math at the Jackson County median
Jackson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $40,000 a year is $3,333 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $665 uses 20%
- At 43%, room after rent is $768 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Jackson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Jackson County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Kentucky borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Kentucky license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Kentucky guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kentucky guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Jackson County household make?
About $40,000 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 37% below the Kentucky median.
How does Jackson County rent compare with Kentucky?
$665 locally versus $967 for the state, 31% below.
What are the biggest places in Jackson County?
By population: Annville, McKee. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Jackson County or elsewhere in Kentucky, the same rules apply.
Is there a Jackson County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Kentucky it is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions.