1st Advantage MortgageAbout 62% of Jefferson County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $69,866. 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
- A quick profile of Jefferson County
- What it costs to live in Jefferson County
- The Jefferson County job picture
- What stands out in Jefferson County
- Paychecks and income spread in Jefferson County
- How Jefferson County compares with nearby counties
- Census places in Jefferson County
- Before borrowing in Jefferson County
- People and households in Jefferson County
- Debt-to-income at Jefferson County's medians
- Steps before you apply in Jefferson County
- Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
- Other Kentucky guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Jefferson County
Jefferson County is home to about 783,022 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 1st most populous of 120 county-level areas in Kentucky. Packed into 381 square miles, that is close to 2,056 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Largest place: Louisville, about 631,818 residents (81% of Jefferson County); 84 Census places in all.
What it costs to live in Jefferson County
Jefferson County rent at the median: $1,149 a month, utilities in ($967 in Kentucky). Rent takes 30% or more of income for 47% of renter households here. Jefferson County homes are worth $248,400 at the median, a 3.6-to-1 ratio to income. Homeowners 62%, renters 38%.
| Home costs | Jefferson County | Kentucky | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 1.2% | 10.7% | -9.5 pts |
| Owners | 62% | 68% | -6.2 pts |
| Vacant units | 8% | 10% | -2.5 pts |
| Median home value | $248,400 | $205,600 | 21% higher |
| Median gross rent | $1,149/mo | $967/mo | 19% higher |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 45% | +1.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | +1.7 pts |
The Jefferson County job picture
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Jefferson County residents work in education and health care and 12% in manufacturing. Jefferson County over-indexes on finance, insurance and real estate: 8% versus 6% in Kentucky. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.2% in Jefferson County. About 72% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 8.7% of the total (6.8% statewide).
| Sector | Jefferson County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.7% | -0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.3% | -2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -1.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.4% | +2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | +0.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Jefferson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What stands out in Jefferson County
Where Jefferson County lands at the extremes of Kentucky's county rankings:
- Jefferson County ranks the highest of 120 Kentucky counties for population: 783,022, against 4,534,824 statewide. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
- Few Kentucky counties match Jefferson County on the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 7% here, 13% for the state, ranking 2nd lowest of 120. Less driving means fewer surprise repair bills.
- On the share of mobile homes, Jefferson County sits near the bottom of Kentucky at 1.2%, 2nd lowest of 120. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
Paychecks and income spread in Jefferson County
Half of Jefferson County households take in less than $69,866 a year and half take in more, 10% above the Kentucky median of $63,726. Only 12 Kentucky counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Jefferson County | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.4% | -3.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.9% | 0.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.1% | +1.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.6% | +2.4 pts |
24% under $35,000 and 34% at $100,000 or more: that is the Jefferson County income split. Poverty rate, Jefferson County: 14.3%; Kentucky: 16.1%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.481 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Jefferson County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Jefferson County's, from 15 to 24 miles away. Richest neighbor: Oldham County, $122,497. Poorest: Clark County, $74,214. Jefferson County: $69,866. The list crosses into Indiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $69,866 | $1,149/mo | 62% |
| Bullitt County, KY | 15 mi | $80,558 | $987/mo | 85% |
| Floyd County, IN | 16 mi | $79,704 | $1,036/mo | 73% |
| Oldham County, KY | 18 mi | $122,497 | $1,219/mo | 87% |
| Clark County, IN | 20 mi | $74,214 | $1,129/mo | 75% |
| Spencer County, KY | 22 mi | $102,618 | $987/mo | 88% |
| Shelby County, KY | 24 mi | $82,604 | $1,033/mo | 74% |
Census places in Jefferson County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 84 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 99% of Jefferson County residents live in one of the 84. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $21,480 in Poplar Hills to $250,001 in Glenview. One of them, Louisville, has a separate city guide (linked); for the rest, this is the local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | place | 631,818 | $66,849 | $1,120 | 2 mi |
| Jeffersontown | city | 29,199 | $81,506 | $1,320 | 5 mi |
| St. Matthews | city | 17,577 | $82,412 | $1,369 | 4 mi |
| Shively | city | 15,638 | $50,221 | $899 | 9 mi |
| Lyndon | city | 11,030 | $65,679 | $1,246 | 6 mi |
| Middletown | city | 9,763 | $82,537 | $1,502 | 8 mi |
| Douglass Hills | city | 5,474 | $78,482 | $1,353 | 7 mi |
| Hurstbourne | city | 4,702 | $116,094 | $1,644 | 5 mi |
| Indian Hills | city | 2,897 | $192,000 | $2,250 | 7 mi |
| Graymoor-Devondale | city | 2,802 | $96,667 | $1,558 | 6 mi |
| Anchorage | city | 2,506 | $199,375 | $1,578 | 9 mi |
| Windy Hills | city | 2,081 | $130,714 | $2,262 | 6 mi |
| Hurstbourne Acres | city | 1,972 | $66,891 | $1,218 | 4 mi |
| Worthington Hills | city | 1,957 | $73,889 | $1,766 | 11 mi |
Before borrowing in Jefferson County
Where the Jefferson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Renters under pressure. When 47% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Jefferson County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
People and households in Jefferson County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 37% of Jefferson County adults. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Gap to Kentucky | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 37.0% | +9.5 pts | +14.9 pts |
| Work from home | 14.2% | +3.9 pts | +5.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.7% | -2.4 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 8.7% | +2.0 pts | +3.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 14.3% | -1.8 pts | +1.1 pts |
| Median age | 38.4 | -0.7 yrs | -3.1 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | +0.3 pts | +0.8 pts |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | -0.3 pts | -2.1 pts |
| Minutes to work | Jefferson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 51.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.2% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Debt-to-income at Jefferson County's medians
Here is the Jefferson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Jefferson County: $5,822
- 20% goes to median rent ($1,149)
- $947: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Steps before you apply in Jefferson County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Kentucky license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
Before sharing details with a lender, a Jefferson County resident can confirm its license with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. If a Jefferson County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. More on Kentucky: Kentucky personal loans.
Other Kentucky guides
City guides inside Jefferson County, and the statewide guide:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jefferson County earn?
The median is $69,866; 34% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Jefferson County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,149 a month; 47% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Louisville?
Yes, along with the other 83 Census places in Jefferson County, such as Jeffersontown, St. Matthews, Shively.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Jefferson County or elsewhere in Kentucky, the same rules apply.
Is there a Jefferson County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Kentucky it is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions.