1st Advantage MortgageThe median Knox County household earns $32,527, and 37% 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
- Knox County, KY: the basics
- Household income in Knox County
- Housing costs in Knox County
- Employment and commuting in Knox County
- The communities that make up Knox County
- The counties around Knox County
- A Knox County household budget, worked through
- Reading the Knox County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Knox County, in numbers
- Checklist for Knox County applicants
- Kentucky rules that apply in Knox County
- More guides for Knox County
- Frequently asked questions
Knox County, KY: the basics
Roughly 29,865 residents live in Knox County, Kentucky, 36th by population among the state's 120 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 386 square miles, that is close to 77 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Knox County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (1 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Barbourville, with about 3,146 residents, or 11% of the county.
Household income in Knox County
The median household income in Knox County is $32,527; statewide it is $63,726, so Knox County runs 49% below Kentucky as a whole. That places it 117th among Kentucky's 120 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Knox County | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 52.0% | +24.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.3% | -5.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 9.9% | -13.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.8% | -5.4 pts |
About 52% of households earn under $35,000, while 12% clear $100,000. 36.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.1%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Knox County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $681 in Knox County versus $967 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 47% of renter households here. With a median value of $118,700, a typical Knox County house costs 3.6 times what the median household earns in a year. 65% of Knox County households own their home and 35% rent. The median year built is 1985.
| Measure | Knox County | Kentucky | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $681/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $118,700 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 10% | n/a |
Employment and commuting in Knox County
By the Census industry count, 28% of employed Knox County residents work in education and health care and 11% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 28% locally and 24% for Kentucky. The survey's unemployment rate for Knox County averages 8.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). About 80% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 12.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Knox County | Difference from Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.4% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | -0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.2% | -4.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | +1.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +2.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Knox County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The communities that make up Knox County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Knox County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 4,206 people, so roughly 86% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Knox County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbourville | city | 3,146 | $22,046 | $702 | 2 mi |
| Flat Lick | CDP | 634 | $17,303 | $499 | 6 mi |
| Artemus | CDP | 426 | $21,141 | n/a | 4 mi |
The counties around Knox County
Bell County is closest, 15 miles from center to center; the sixth, Leslie County, is 29 miles off. Income ranges from $31,354 in Bell County to $57,771 in Laurel County; 5 of these neighbors top Knox County's median. Some neighbors are in Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Knox County resident follows Kentucky rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knox County | - | $32,527 | $681/mo | 65% |
| Bell County, KY | 15 mi | $31,354 | $592/mo | 59% |
| Whitley County, KY | 18 mi | $44,615 | $798/mo | 67% |
| Clay County, KY | 21 mi | $40,900 | $724/mo | 76% |
| Laurel County, KY | 21 mi | $57,771 | $813/mo | 72% |
| Claiborne County, TN | 29 mi | $49,379 | $745/mo | 72% |
| Leslie County, KY | 29 mi | $35,934 | $585/mo | 86% |
A Knox County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Knox County's medians:
- $32,527 a year is $2,711 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $681 uses 25%
- $295: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Knox County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Reading the Knox County data as a borrower
What the Knox County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Mobile home upkeep. 32% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Assistance before credit. With a 37% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Knox County loan.
- Renters under pressure. When 47% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Who lives in Knox County, in numbers
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 8.6%, against 6.0% for Kentucky.
| Knox County | Kentucky | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.7 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.6% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 23.1% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.6% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 12.4% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.8% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 36.9% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.1% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Knox County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 7.9% |
Checklist for Knox County applicants
Steps that save money for Knox County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Kentucky license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Kentucky rules that apply in Knox County
Consumer lenders serving Knox County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kentucky that is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Kentucky guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Knox County
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Knox County household make?
About $32,527 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 49% below the Kentucky median.
How much is rent in Knox County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $681 a month; 47% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Knox County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Barbourville, Flat Lick, Artemus.
Is the fit check different in Knox County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Knox County check a lender's license?
With the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.