1st Advantage MortgageLaurel County households have a median income of $57,771 and median rent of $813 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Getting oriented in Laurel County
- Income in Laurel County compared with Kentucky
- Jobs and commutes in Laurel County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Laurel County
- Places inside Laurel County
- Counties near Laurel County
- Debt-to-income at Laurel County's medians
- Before borrowing in Laurel County
- Laurel County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Licensing and complaints for Laurel County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Laurel County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Laurel County's population at 62,983; only 14 of Kentucky's 120 county-level areas are larger. It covers 434 square miles of land, or about 145 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Laurel County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 3 Census places inside Laurel County, London leads by population with about 7,561; 1 of the 3 are incorporated.
Income in Laurel County compared with Kentucky
Half of Laurel County households take in less than $57,771 a year and half take in more, 9% below the Kentucky median of $63,726. Only 59 Kentucky counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Laurel County | Gap to Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.9% | +3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.5% | +2.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.9% | -2.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -3.6 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 25% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 20.5% of Laurel County residents in poverty, against 16.1% across Kentucky. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in Laurel County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Laurel County residents work in education and health care and 17% in retail trade. Retail trade stands out: 17% of workers here, versus 12% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Laurel County averages 3.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). About 76% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Laurel County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.4% | -2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 16.7% | +5.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | +0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.4% | -0.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Laurel County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Rent, home values and ownership in Laurel County
A typical Laurel County rental runs $813 a month including utilities, which is 16% below Kentucky. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. With a median value of $159,500, a typical Laurel County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. 72% of Laurel County households own their home and 28% rent. The median year built is 1992.
| Cost | Laurel County | Kentucky figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $813/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $159,500 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 23% | n/a |
Places inside Laurel County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 17% of Laurel County residents live in one of the 3. North Corbin has the highest median household income on the list ($51,447) and East Bernstadt the lowest ($35,903), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | city | 7,561 | $47,591 | $815 | 2 mi |
| North Corbin | CDP | 2,190 | $51,447 | $843 | 10 mi |
| East Bernstadt | CDP | 669 | $35,903 | $599 | 6 mi |
Counties near Laurel County
Rockcastle County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Pulaski County, is 25 miles off. None of the six report a higher median household income than Laurel County; Pulaski County is highest at $51,898 and Knox County lowest at $32,527.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel County | - | $57,771 | $813/mo | 72% |
| Rockcastle County, KY | 20 mi | $48,862 | $676/mo | 74% |
| Jackson County, KY | 21 mi | $40,000 | $665/mo | 77% |
| Knox County, KY | 21 mi | $32,527 | $681/mo | 65% |
| Clay County, KY | 23 mi | $40,900 | $724/mo | 76% |
| Whitley County, KY | 25 mi | $44,615 | $798/mo | 67% |
| Pulaski County, KY | 25 mi | $51,898 | $803/mo | 72% |
Debt-to-income at Laurel County's medians
How much room does a median Laurel County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Laurel County: $4,814
- Median rent: $813, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,257 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in Laurel County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Laurel County borrowers.
- Manufactured homes. 26% of Laurel County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 20% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Laurel County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Laurel County | All of Kentucky | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.5% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.5% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.8% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.7% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.5% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.5% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.2% |
| 60+ min | 6.2% |
Licensing and complaints for Laurel County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Laurel County borrowers answers to the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Kentucky guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Laurel County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Kentucky.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Laurel County earn?
The median is $57,771; 25% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Laurel County rent compare with Kentucky?
$813 locally versus $967 for the state, 16% below.
Which towns does the Laurel County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 3 Census places: London, North Corbin, East Bernstadt.
Will a Laurel County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Kentucky as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Laurel County?
Start with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.