1st Advantage MortgageThe median Meade County household earns $74,355, and 12% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Meade County at a glance
- Income in Meade County compared with Kentucky
- Renting and owning in Meade County
- Employment and commuting in Meade County
- Towns and communities in Meade County
- Meade County and the counties next door
- More Meade County figures
- What the numbers mean for Meade County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Meade County's medians
- Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
- Four steps for Meade County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Meade County at a glance
Roughly 30,158 residents live in Meade County, Kentucky, 35th by population among the state's 120 counties and county equivalents. It covers 305 square miles of land, or about 99 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Brandenburg is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 2,937 people (10% of the county total).
Income in Meade County compared with Kentucky
Half of Meade County households take in less than $74,355 a year and half take in more, 17% above the Kentucky median of $63,726. That places it 12th among Kentucky's 120 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Meade County | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.3% | -7.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.0% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.4% | +5.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.3% | +0.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 36% of Meade County households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. 12.2% 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.
Renting and owning in Meade County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,026 in Meade County versus $967 statewide. By the Census definition, 39% of Meade County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $207,900, about 2.8 times the median household income. 74% of Meade County households own their home and 26% rent. The median year built is 1990.
| Housing | Meade County | Kentucky statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,026/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $207,900 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 23% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Employment and commuting in Meade County
The biggest employer of Meade County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by retail trade (13%). The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 10% locally and 6% for Kentucky. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.8% in Meade County. About 81% drive to work alone and 34% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Meade County | Gap to Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.7% | -3.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Construction | 10.0% | +3.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.5% | -4.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.2% | +2.2 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Towns and communities in Meade 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 20% of Meade County residents live in one of the 4. Doe Valley has the highest median household income on the list ($109,135) and Brandenburg the lowest ($49,844), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Meade County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandenburg | city | 2,937 | $49,844 | $748 | 2 mi |
| Doe Valley | CDP | 1,776 | $109,135 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Muldraugh | city | 1,127 | $60,508 | $879 | 12 mi |
| Ekron | city | 130 | $42,500 | $743 | 3 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Meade County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Meade County's, from 16 to 27 miles away. Income ranges from $49,640 in Crawford County to $80,558 in Bullitt County; 2 of these neighbors top Meade County's median. The list crosses into Indiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meade County | - | $74,355 | $1,026/mo | 74% |
| Harrison County, IN | 16 mi | $74,475 | $836/mo | 84% |
| Breckinridge County, KY | 18 mi | $55,843 | $733/mo | 81% |
| Hardin County, KY | 23 mi | $67,647 | $971/mo | 63% |
| Perry County, IN | 24 mi | $61,151 | $682/mo | 75% |
| Crawford County, IN | 26 mi | $49,640 | $686/mo | 81% |
| Bullitt County, KY | 27 mi | $80,558 | $987/mo | 85% |
More Meade County figures
20% of Meade County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Meade County | Kentucky | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.0% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.0% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.1% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.6% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.2% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 20.1% |
| 60+ min | 13.6% |
What the numbers mean for Meade County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Meade County borrowers.
- Vehicle repairs. 34% of Meade County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Mobile home upkeep. 20% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Debt-to-income at Meade County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Meade County's medians:
- Start: $6,196 gross per month ($74,355 / 12)
- 17% goes to median rent ($1,026)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,452 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Meade County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Kentucky license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Kentucky guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Meade County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Meade County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Meade County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Kentucky borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Meade County?
$74,355 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,726 for Kentucky. It ranks 12th of 120 in the state.
Is Meade County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,026 against $967 statewide, and 39% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Meade 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.
Which towns does the Meade County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Brandenburg, Doe Valley, Muldraugh, Ekron.
Will a Meade County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Kentucky as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.