1st Advantage MortgageKnott County households have a median income of $41,761 and median rent of $756 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
- Knott County at a glance
- Jobs and commutes in Knott County
- What Knott County households earn
- Renting and owning in Knott County
- Counties near Knott County
- Knott County towns compared
- People and households in Knott County
- Reading the Knott County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Knott County median
- Lender oversight for Knott County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Knott County
- Frequently asked questions
Knott County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Knott County's population at 13,830; only 78 of Kentucky's 120 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 352 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 39 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 2 Census places inside Knott County, Hindman leads by population with about 790; 2 of the 2 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Knott County
Education and health care employs 39% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. Compared with Kentucky, the county leans toward education and health care (39% against 24%). The survey's unemployment rate for Knott County averages 9.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. 8.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Knott County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 39.4% | +15.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.9% | +1.3 pts |
| Public administration | 9.4% | +5.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.9% | +1.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.2% | -1.8 pts |
| Construction | 4.6% | -1.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
What Knott County households earn
At $41,761, the typical Knott County household income is 36% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 102 Kentucky counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Knott County | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 45.4% | +17.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.8% | -7.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.5% | -4.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.4% | -5.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 20% of Knott County households make $100,000 or more, and 45% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 23.3%, 7 points higher than the state's 16.1%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.450 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Knott County median.
Renting and owning in Knott County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $756 in Knott County versus $967 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. Home values center on $77,000, or 1.8 years of median income. 73% of Knott County households own their home and 27% rent. Median construction year: 1982.
| Home costs | Knott County | Kentucky | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $756/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $77,000 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Knott County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Counties near Knott County
Distances run center to center, from Perry County at 17 miles out to Leslie County at 30. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Knott County; Perry County is highest at $42,181 and Magoffin County lowest at $33,080.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knott County | - | $41,761 | $756/mo | 73% |
| Perry County, KY | 17 mi | $42,181 | $798/mo | 70% |
| Letcher County, KY | 17 mi | $41,793 | $669/mo | 74% |
| Floyd County, KY | 18 mi | $41,279 | $672/mo | 72% |
| Breathitt County, KY | 23 mi | $34,808 | $548/mo | 77% |
| Magoffin County, KY | 25 mi | $33,080 | $730/mo | 75% |
| Leslie County, KY | 30 mi | $35,934 | $585/mo | 86% |
Knott County towns compared
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 9% of Knott County residents live in one of the 2. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hindman | city | 790 | $27,632 | $350 | 2 mi |
| Pippa Passes | city | 450 | $73,750 | $283 | 5 mi |
People and households in Knott County
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 2.4%, against 6.0% for Kentucky.
| Measure | Knott County | Kentucky statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.6 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.5% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 27.1% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.4% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.9% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.6% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.3% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.3% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Knott County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.4% |
| 60+ min | 6.8% |
Reading the Knott County data as a borrower
What the Knott County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Manufactured homes. 31% of Knott County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 23% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- 49% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Budget math at the Knott County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Knott County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $3,480 gross per month ($41,761 / 12)
- 22% goes to median rent ($756)
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $497 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $756, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Lender oversight for Knott County
Consumer lenders serving Knott 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. Statewide data and rules: Kentucky guide.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Knott County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Kentucky.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Knott County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kentucky guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Knott County?
$41,761 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,726 for Kentucky. It ranks 103rd of 120 in the state.
How much is rent in Knott County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $756 a month; 49% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Knott County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 73% of Knott County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Hindman?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Knott County, such as Pippa Passes.
Is the fit check different in Knott County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.