1st Advantage MortgageThe median Nicholas County household earns $59,531, and 18% 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
- Nicholas County, KY: the basics
- The Nicholas County job picture
- How much Nicholas County households make
- What it costs to live in Nicholas County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Nicholas County
- The counties around Nicholas County
- What a median Nicholas County budget can carry
- Nicholas County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Nicholas County borrowers
- Four steps for Nicholas County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Nicholas County
- More guides for Nicholas County
- Frequently asked questions
Nicholas County, KY: the basics
With an estimated 7,708 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Nicholas County ranks 109th of 120 in Kentucky for population. It covers 195 square miles of land, or about 39 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Nicholas County is not part of any metropolitan area. Carlisle is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 2,214 people (29% of the county total). With so few households sampled, Nicholas County estimates can move a lot between releases.
The Nicholas County job picture
The biggest employer of Nicholas County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (17%). The sharpest difference from the state is in retail trade, at 17% locally and 12% for Kentucky. The survey's unemployment rate for Nicholas County averages 6.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). Long commutes are common here: 30% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 11.4% of the total (6.8% statewide).
| Top industries | Nicholas County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.9% | -1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.3% | +3.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 17.1% | +5.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.9% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.2% | -0.6 pts |
| Other services | 4.8% | +0.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Nicholas County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How much Nicholas County households make
Nicholas County households have a median income of $59,531 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 56th of 120 in Kentucky.
| Yearly household income | Nicholas County | Gap to Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.4% | +4.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.9% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.2% | -0.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 0.5% | -6.7 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 17.6%, 2 points higher than the state's 16.1%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.396 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Nicholas County median.
What it costs to live in Nicholas County
A typical Nicholas County rental runs $728 a month including utilities, which is 25% below Kentucky. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 42% of renter households here. Home values center on $123,000, or 2.1 years of median income. Owners occupy 74% of homes. The median home was built in 1972, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Nicholas County | Kentucky | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $728/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $123,000 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.2% | 10.7% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Nicholas 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.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Nicholas County
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Nicholas County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 3,033 people, so roughly 61% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Nicholas County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlisle | city | 2,214 | $49,201 | $636 | 2 mi |
| Millersburg | city | 819 | $41,685 | $675 | 7 mi |
The counties around Nicholas County
Robertson County is closest, 12 miles from center to center; the sixth, Mason County, is 21 miles off. Harrison County leads the group on income ($66,442), Fleming County trails ($49,307), and Nicholas County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas County | - | $59,531 | $728/mo | 74% |
| Robertson County, KY | 12 mi | $51,830 | $548/mo | 80% |
| Bourbon County, KY | 14 mi | $61,354 | $822/mo | 64% |
| Fleming County, KY | 18 mi | $49,307 | $715/mo | 75% |
| Harrison County, KY | 18 mi | $66,442 | $765/mo | 71% |
| Bath County, KY | 20 mi | $56,541 | $659/mo | 75% |
| Mason County, KY | 21 mi | $52,178 | $727/mo | 66% |
What a median Nicholas County budget can carry
Here is the Nicholas County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $4,961 gross per month ($59,531 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $728 uses 15%
- Under a 43% cap, $2,133 total minus rent leaves $1,405
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Nicholas County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 10% of adults over 25. 3.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Nicholas County | All of Kentucky | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 9.8% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.3% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.5% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.4% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.0% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.6% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.1% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Nicholas County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.6% |
| 60+ min | 17.7% |
What the numbers mean for Nicholas County borrowers
A few patterns in the Nicholas County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Vehicle repairs. 30% of Nicholas County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 19% of Nicholas County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Four steps for Nicholas County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for Nicholas County
Consumer lenders serving Nicholas County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kentucky that is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Kentucky: Kentucky personal loans.
More guides for Nicholas County
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nicholas County a high-income county?
Its $59,531 median ranks 56th of 120 Kentucky counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Nicholas County rent compare with Kentucky?
$728 locally versus $967 for the state, 25% below.
I own my home in Nicholas 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.
What are the biggest places in Nicholas County?
By population: Carlisle, Millersburg. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Will a Nicholas County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Kentucky as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.