1st Advantage Mortgage19% of Monroe County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $51,280 (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Monroe County, and confirm each one's Kentucky license.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Monroe County
- Monroe County at the extremes
- The $51,280 median and what sits around it
- Monroe County housing compared with Kentucky
- Monroe County industries and commutes
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Monroe County
- Reading the Monroe County data as a borrower
- Age, degrees and coverage in Monroe County
- Debt-to-income, Monroe County edition
- Kentucky rules that apply in Monroe County
- A Monroe County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Monroe County
Monroe County is home to about 11,269 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 95th most populous of 120 county-level areas in Kentucky. Spread over 329 square miles, that works out to roughly 34.2 residents per square mile. Monroe County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Tompkinsville (2,613 people) heads the county's list of 3 Census places, 3 incorporated and 0 census-designated.
Monroe County at the extremes
Ranked against the other 119 county-level areas in Kentucky, these are the Monroe County figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Kentucky counties match Monroe County on median gross rent: $657/mo here, $967/mo for the state, ranking 17th lowest of 120. Lower rent can leave more room for a payment.
- Monroe County ranks 23rd lowest of 120 Kentucky counties for the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 19%, against 30% statewide. Few six-figure households means smaller loans are the norm.
The $51,280 median and what sits around it
The median household income in Monroe County is $51,280; statewide it is $63,726, so Monroe County runs 20% below Kentucky as a whole.
| Yearly household income | Monroe County | Gap to Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.0% | +8.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.3% | +3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.1% | -6.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.6% | -4.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 19% of Monroe County households make $100,000 or more, and 36% make less than $35,000. Census counts 22.1% of Monroe County residents in poverty, against 16.1% across Kentucky. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Monroe County median.
Monroe County housing compared with Kentucky
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $657 in Monroe County versus $967 statewide. By the Census definition, 40% of Monroe County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $115,900, a typical Monroe County house costs 2.3 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 71%. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Monroe County | Kentucky | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $657/mo | $967/mo | 32% lower |
| Median home value | $115,900 | $205,600 | 44% lower |
| Owners | 71% | 68% | +2.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 45% | -5.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 13% | 23% | -10.0 pts |
| Mobile homes | 14.5% | 10.7% | +3.8 pts |
Monroe County industries and commutes
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Monroe County residents work in education and health care and 16% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in retail trade, at 16% locally and 12% for Kentucky. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.0% in Monroe County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 16%; under 15 minutes: 44%. 230 Monroe County households, 5.0%, have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Monroe County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.9% | +4.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.6% | +1.3 pts |
| Construction | 9.3% | +3.0 pts |
| Public administration | 6.3% | +2.0 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 4.5% | +2.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (15 to 25 miles). Monroe County's $51,280 median trails 2 of the six and beats 4; the range runs $39,972 (Clay County) to $59,177 (Macon County). Some neighbors are in Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Monroe County resident follows Kentucky rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | - | $51,280 | $657/mo | 71% |
| Clay County, TN | 15 mi | $39,972 | $557/mo | 74% |
| Cumberland County, KY | 19 mi | $40,000 | $523/mo | 76% |
| Metcalfe County, KY | 20 mi | $51,473 | $582/mo | 78% |
| Macon County, TN | 20 mi | $59,177 | $846/mo | 74% |
| Barren County, KY | 21 mi | $50,628 | $796/mo | 65% |
| Jackson County, TN | 25 mi | $47,951 | $758/mo | 81% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Monroe County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Monroe County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 3,220 people, so roughly 71% of residents live outside any named place. No Monroe County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tompkinsville | city | 2,613 | $38,628 | $728 | 1 mi |
| Gamaliel | city | 352 | $49,375 | $535 | 7 mi |
| Fountain Run | city | 255 | $80,045 | $608 | 13 mi |
Reading the Monroe County data as a borrower
Based on the Monroe County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 15% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 22% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Age, degrees and coverage in Monroe County
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. Uninsured, Monroe County: 6.0%; Kentucky: 6.0%.
| Measure | Monroe County | Gap to Kentucky | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | +2.0 yrs | -0.4 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.0% | -11.5 pts | -6.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.5% | +3.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.0% | 0.0 pts | -1.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | -1.8 pts | -0.5 pts |
| Work from home | 4.5% | -5.7 pts | -4.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 22.1% | +6.0 pts | +8.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | -0.8 pts | -0.4 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.2% |
| 60+ min | 11.0% |
Debt-to-income, Monroe County edition
DTI math using Monroe County medians ($51,280 income, $657 rent):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,273 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $657 uses 15%
- $839: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,266 left for all other debt payments
A household below the $51,280 median has less room than this, often none.
Kentucky rules that apply in Monroe County
The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Kentucky license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Kentucky: Kentucky personal loans.
A Monroe County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Monroe County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Monroe County?
$51,280 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,726 for Kentucky. It ranks 79th of 120 in the state.
Can a Monroe County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $657 median rent and $4,273 median monthly income, rent alone uses 15%; add other debts before a new payment.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Monroe County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 71% of Monroe County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
I live in a small Monroe County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Tompkinsville, Gamaliel, Fountain Run.
Is the fit check different in Monroe County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.