1st Advantage MortgageMcCreary County households have a median income of $33,750 and median rent of $577 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Kentucky before sharing details.
On this page
- McCreary County, KY: the basics
- Income in McCreary County compared with Kentucky
- Work, industries and travel time in McCreary County
- What it costs to live in McCreary County
- McCreary County next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in McCreary County
- Room for a loan payment in McCreary County
- Borrowing situations common in McCreary County
- People and households in McCreary County
- Checklist for McCreary County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
McCreary County, KY: the basics
With an estimated 16,867 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), McCreary County ranks 68th of 120 in Kentucky for population. It covers 427 square miles of land, or about 40 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, McCreary County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 3 Census places inside McCreary County, Stearns leads by population with about 1,271; 0 of the 3 are incorporated.
Income in McCreary County compared with Kentucky
The median household income in McCreary County is $33,750; statewide it is $63,726, so McCreary County runs 47% below Kentucky as a whole. In the state ranking that is 115th of 120.
| Yearly household income | McCreary County | Gap to Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 51.2% | +23.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.8% | -2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 8.4% | -14.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 0.5% | -6.7 pts |
Some 51% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 9% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 38.9%, 23 points higher than the state's 16.1%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.490 here. None of these numbers decides a McCreary County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in McCreary County
By the Census industry count, 31% of employed McCreary County residents work in education and health care and 19% in manufacturing. Compared with Kentucky, the county leans toward education and health care (31% against 24%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 30% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. 10.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | McCreary County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.8% | +6.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.6% | +4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | -0.1 pts |
| Public administration | 8.5% | +4.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.0% | 0.0 pts |
| Construction | 5.3% | -1.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What it costs to live in McCreary County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $577 in McCreary County versus $967 statewide. 46% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 29% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $85,300, about 2.5 times the median household income. Owners occupy 74% of homes. The median year built is 1987.
| McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $577/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $85,300 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 25.2% | 10.7% | n/a |
Because most McCreary 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.
McCreary County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 33 miles). Laurel County leads the group on income ($57,771), Whitley County trails ($44,615), and McCreary County out-earns 0 of the six. The list crosses into Tennessee, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCreary County | - | $33,750 | $577/mo | 74% |
| Wayne County, KY | 19 mi | $45,739 | $727/mo | 69% |
| Whitley County, KY | 19 mi | $44,615 | $798/mo | 67% |
| Scott County, TN | 21 mi | $44,711 | $686/mo | 72% |
| Pulaski County, KY | 26 mi | $51,898 | $803/mo | 72% |
| Campbell County, TN | 29 mi | $51,557 | $716/mo | 69% |
| Laurel County, KY | 33 mi | $57,771 | $813/mo | 72% |
Towns and communities in McCreary County
3 Census places fall mainly inside McCreary County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 3,285 residents, leaving about 81% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No McCreary County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stearns | CDP | 1,271 | $55,931 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Pine Knot | CDP | 1,051 | n/a | $291 | 5 mi |
| Whitley City | CDP | 963 | $33,719 | $912 | 1 mi |
Room for a loan payment in McCreary County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a McCreary County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, McCreary County: $2,812
- Median rent: $577, or 21 cents of every gross dollar
- At 36%, room after rent is $436 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of McCreary County's.
Borrowing situations common in McCreary County
What the McCreary County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Commuter costs. 30% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 25% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 39% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Rent squeeze. 46% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
People and households in McCreary County
8% of McCreary County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 8% go without health insurance.
| McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 8.5% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 22.6% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.1% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.8% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.2% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 38.9% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 16.7% |
| 60+ min | 13.5% |
Checklist for McCreary County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Kentucky borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with McCreary County borrowers answers to the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Kentucky guide.
Related local guides
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is McCreary County a high-income county?
Its $33,750 median ranks 115th of 120 Kentucky counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is McCreary County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $577 against $967 statewide, and 46% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in McCreary County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small McCreary County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Stearns, Pine Knot, Whitley City.
Does living in McCreary County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a McCreary County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.