1st Advantage MortgageIn Nelson County, Kentucky, the typical household earns $69,562 a year and the typical rent is $1,008. 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
- Who lives in Nelson County
- Renting and owning in Nelson County
- How much Nelson County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Nelson County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Nelson County
- Nelson County next to its neighbors
- People and households in Nelson County
- Reading the Nelson County data as a borrower
- What a median Nelson County budget can carry
- A Nelson County borrower's checklist
- Lender oversight for Nelson County
- More guides for Nelson County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Nelson County
Roughly 47,606 residents live in Nelson County, Kentucky, 22nd by population among the state's 120 counties and county equivalents. It covers 419 square miles of land, or about 114 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metropolitan area. Bardstown is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 13,804 people (29% of the county total).
Renting and owning in Nelson County
A typical Nelson County rental runs $1,008 a month including utilities, which is 4% above Kentucky. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 51% of renter households here. Home values center on $238,000, or 3.4 years of median income. The ownership rate is 78%.
| Home costs | Nelson County | Kentucky | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,008/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $238,000 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.0% | 10.7% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 6% | 10% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Nelson County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
How much Nelson County households make
The median household income in Nelson County is $69,562; statewide it is $63,726, so Nelson County runs 9% above Kentucky as a whole. That places it 14th among Kentucky's 120 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Nelson County | Difference from Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.2% | -3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.0% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.2% | +2.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.5% | -0.7 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. 10.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.1%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.431 (0 is perfect equality). 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 Nelson County
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Nelson County residents work in education and health care and 22% in manufacturing. Manufacturing stands out: 22% of workers here, versus 14% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.3% in Nelson County. About 83% drive to work alone and 22% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Nelson County workers | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.0% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 22.1% | +7.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -0.9 pts |
| Construction | 7.5% | +1.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | -0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.7% | -3.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Nelson County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 35% of Nelson County residents live in one of the 7. New Haven has the highest median household income on the list ($70,000) and Bardstown the lowest ($51,381), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bardstown | city | 13,804 | $51,381 | $977 | 1 mi |
| Bloomfield | city | 1,124 | $55,063 | $750 | 11 mi |
| New Haven | city | 837 | $70,000 | $845 | 12 mi |
| Chaplin | CDP | 337 | $94,352 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Boston | CDP | 195 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Fairfield | city | 194 | $90,781 | n/a | 10 mi |
| New Hope | CDP | 62 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Nelson County next to its neighbors
Six nearby counties, 16 to 28 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Nelson County; Spencer County is highest at $102,618 and Marion County lowest at $59,627.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson County | - | $69,562 | $1,008/mo | 78% |
| Washington County, KY | 16 mi | $61,616 | $744/mo | 78% |
| Bullitt County, KY | 17 mi | $80,558 | $987/mo | 85% |
| Spencer County, KY | 17 mi | $102,618 | $987/mo | 88% |
| Marion County, KY | 20 mi | $59,627 | $726/mo | 78% |
| Larue County, KY | 22 mi | $67,067 | $860/mo | 79% |
| Hardin County, KY | 28 mi | $67,647 | $971/mo | 63% |
People and households in Nelson County
Degree holders: 24% of adults over 25. 5.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Nelson County | Kentucky | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.8% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.7% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.1% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.3% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.0% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Nelson County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.8% |
| 60+ min | 9.4% |
Reading the Nelson County data as a borrower
Where the Nelson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 22% of Nelson County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Tight rental budgets. With 51% of Nelson County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
What a median Nelson County budget can carry
Here is the Nelson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,797 gross per month ($69,562 / 12)
- Less median rent of $1,008, which is 17% of it
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,311 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Nelson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
A Nelson County borrower's checklist
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.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Lender oversight for Nelson County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Nelson County borrowers answers to the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Kentucky guide.
More guides for Nelson County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kentucky guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Nelson County household make?
About $69,562 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 9% above the Kentucky median.
How does Nelson County rent compare with Kentucky?
$1,008 locally versus $967 for the state, 4% above.
Does this page cover Bardstown?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Nelson County, such as Bloomfield, New Haven, Chaplin.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Nelson County or elsewhere in Kentucky, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Nelson County?
Start with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.