1st Advantage MortgageThe median Larue County household earns $67,067, and 18% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Kentucky license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Larue County
- Jobs and commutes in Larue County
- Paychecks and income spread in Larue County
- What it costs to live in Larue County
- Places inside Larue County
- Regional comparison for Larue County
- Larue County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Larue County borrowers
- Room for a loan payment in Larue County
- Kentucky rules that apply in Larue County
- Checklist for Larue County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Larue County
Roughly 15,107 residents live in Larue County, Kentucky, 74th by population among the state's 120 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 261 square miles, that is close to 58 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Elizabethtown, KY metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 4 Census places inside Larue County, Hodgenville leads by population with about 3,389; 2 of the 4 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Larue County
Manufacturing employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 24%. Compared with Kentucky, the county leans toward manufacturing (26% against 14%). Averaged over the five survey years, 1.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 84% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Larue County workers | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 25.9% | +11.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 24.4% | +0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.3% | -4.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.2% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 6.9% | +0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.7% | -0.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Larue County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in Larue County
Half of Larue County households take in less than $67,067 a year and half take in more, 5% above the Kentucky median of $63,726. Only 18 Kentucky counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Larue County | Difference from Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.5% | -0.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.1% | +3.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.7% | +0.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.8% | -3.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Larue County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. 17.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.1%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.402 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Larue County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What it costs to live in Larue County
A typical Larue County rental runs $860 a month including utilities, which is 11% below Kentucky. 47% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $183,500, about 2.7 times the median household income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1983.
| Larue County | Kentucky | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $860/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $183,500 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.5% | 10.7% | n/a |
Because most Larue 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.
Places inside Larue County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 35% of Larue County residents live in one of the 4. Incomes vary by place: $57,739 at the median in Hodgenville, $43,173 in Upton. Median rent ranges from $799 in Upton to $1,114 in Buffalo. None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgenville | city | 3,389 | $57,739 | $956 | 2 mi |
| Buffalo | CDP | 735 | $47,120 | $1,114 | 3 mi |
| Magnolia | CDP | 609 | $50,809 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Upton | city | 606 | $43,173 | $799 | 13 mi |
Regional comparison for Larue County
Hardin County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Taylor County, is 24 miles off. Income ranges from $46,798 in Green County to $69,562 in Nelson County; 2 of these neighbors top Larue County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larue County | - | $67,067 | $860/mo | 79% |
| Hardin County, KY | 18 mi | $67,647 | $971/mo | 63% |
| Hart County, KY | 19 mi | $52,285 | $693/mo | 72% |
| Green County, KY | 20 mi | $46,798 | $610/mo | 78% |
| Nelson County, KY | 22 mi | $69,562 | $1,008/mo | 78% |
| Marion County, KY | 23 mi | $59,627 | $726/mo | 78% |
| Taylor County, KY | 24 mi | $60,456 | $718/mo | 69% |
Larue County households compared
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. 4.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Larue County | All of Kentucky | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.5% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.4% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.2% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.5% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.5% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Larue County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.4% |
| 60+ min | 7.2% |
What the numbers mean for Larue County borrowers
Where the Larue County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Mobile home upkeep. 14% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Tight rental budgets. With 47% of Larue County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Room for a loan payment in Larue County
Here is the Larue County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,589 gross per month ($67,067 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $860 uses 15%
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,543 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Kentucky rules that apply in Larue County
Consumer lenders serving Larue County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kentucky that is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Kentucky: Kentucky personal loans.
Checklist for Larue County applicants
Steps that save money for Larue County residents:
- Price the Larue County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Kentucky license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Larue County earn?
The median is $67,067; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Larue County rent compare with Kentucky?
$860 locally versus $967 for the state, 11% below.
I own my home in Larue County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Hodgenville?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Larue County, such as Buffalo, Magnolia, Upton.
Is the fit check different in Larue County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.