1st Advantage MortgageMcCracken County households have a median income of $64,373 and median rent of $898 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 McCracken County
- Housing costs in McCracken County
- How much McCracken County households make
- How McCracken County residents earn a living
- Cities, towns and CDPs in McCracken County
- Regional comparison for McCracken County
- Debt-to-income at McCracken County's medians
- McCracken County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for McCracken County
- Kentucky rules that apply in McCracken County
- Steps before you apply in McCracken County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in McCracken County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts McCracken County's population at 67,564; only 12 of Kentucky's 120 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 249 square miles, that is close to 272 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 5 Census places inside McCracken County, Paducah leads by population with about 26,845; 1 of the 5 are incorporated.
Housing costs in McCracken County
A typical McCracken County rental runs $898 a month including utilities, which is 7% below Kentucky. 44% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $188,100, about 2.9 times the median household income. 69% of McCracken County households own their home and 31% rent. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | McCracken County | Kentucky | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $898/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $188,100 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.5% | 10.7% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 10% | n/a |
How much McCracken County households make
At $64,373, the typical McCracken County household income is 2% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 32nd among Kentucky's 120 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in McCracken County | Difference from Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.4% | +0.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.6% | -2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.0% | +1.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.0% | +0.7 pts |
Some 28% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 32% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 15.2% of McCracken County residents in poverty, against 16.1% across Kentucky. A household earning below the $64,373 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How McCracken County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Retail trade stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 12% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for McCracken County averages 3.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). About 82% drive to work alone and 5% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | McCracken County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.3% | +1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.9% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.8% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.6% | -4.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.3% | +1.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.9% | -0.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in McCracken County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Cities, towns and CDPs in McCracken County
5 Census places fall mainly inside McCracken County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 45,773 residents, leaving about 32% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Reidland has the highest median household income on the list ($99,423) and Farley the lowest ($47,292), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Farley ($759) and steepest in Reidland ($1,051). No McCracken County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paducah | city | 26,845 | $49,915 | $834 | 4 mi |
| Reidland | CDP | 5,277 | $99,423 | $1,051 | 11 mi |
| Massac | CDP | 4,698 | $92,560 | $887 | 2 mi |
| Hendron | CDP | 4,495 | $71,610 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Farley | CDP | 4,458 | $47,292 | $759 | 8 mi |
Regional comparison for McCracken County
Distances run center to center, from Massac County at 11 miles out to Marshall County at 24. Income ranges from $50,772 in Graves County to $66,164 in Ballard County; 3 of these neighbors top McCracken County's median. Some neighbors are in Illinois. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a McCracken County resident follows Kentucky rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCracken County | - | $64,373 | $898/mo | 69% |
| Massac County, IL | 11 mi | $65,116 | $756/mo | 76% |
| Ballard County, KY | 16 mi | $66,164 | $817/mo | 76% |
| Carlisle County, KY | 20 mi | $62,439 | $792/mo | 80% |
| Livingston County, KY | 22 mi | $58,984 | $926/mo | 81% |
| Graves County, KY | 23 mi | $50,772 | $775/mo | 76% |
| Marshall County, KY | 24 mi | $65,831 | $798/mo | 82% |
Debt-to-income at McCracken County's medians
How much room does a median McCracken County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $64,373 a year is $5,364 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $898, which is 17% of it
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,033 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
McCracken County residents: age, schooling, coverage
29% of McCracken County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | McCracken County | Kentucky | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.0% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.9% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.9% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.2% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.3% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.2% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | McCracken County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.1% |
| 60+ min | 2.5% |
Local borrowing considerations for McCracken County
A few patterns in the McCracken County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Kentucky rules that apply in McCracken County
Before sharing details with a lender, a McCracken County resident can confirm its license with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Kentucky guide.
Steps before you apply in McCracken County
Before you apply, wherever you live in McCracken County:
- Price the McCracken County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a McCracken County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kentucky guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical McCracken County household make?
About $64,373 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24).
Is McCracken County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $898 against $967 statewide, and 44% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in McCracken County?
By population: Paducah, Reidland, Massac, Hendron, Farley. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Are McCracken County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in McCracken 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.