1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Pulaski County is $803 a month against a median household income of $51,898, about 19% of income (ACS 2020-24). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Pulaski County offer.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Pulaski County
- The Pulaski County job picture
- Rent, home values and ownership in Pulaski County
- Pulaski County against other Kentucky counties
- Pulaski County income bands
- Pulaski County towns compared
- Pulaski County, Rockcastle County and other neighbors
- Debt-to-income, Pulaski County edition
- Who lives in Pulaski County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Pulaski County
- A Pulaski County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Pulaski County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Pulaski County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Pulaski County's population at 65,897; only 13 of Kentucky's 120 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 100.1 residents per square mile across 658 square miles of land. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Somerset is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 12,216 people (19% of the county total).
The Pulaski County job picture
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Pulaski County residents work in education and health care and 15% in manufacturing. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.9% in Pulaski County. About 80% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Pulaski County | Difference from Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.1% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.5% | -1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.2% | -0.8 pts |
Self-employed in Pulaski County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Rent, home values and ownership in Pulaski County
$803 a month is the median gross rent in Pulaski County, 17% below the state. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. Median value $166,900; median income $51,898; ratio 3.2. The ownership rate is 72%. Against the median U.S. county, Pulaski County rent is 8% below.
| Measure | Pulaski County | Kentucky | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $803/mo | $967/mo | 17% lower |
| Median home value | $166,900 | $205,600 | 19% lower |
| Owners | 72% | 68% | +4.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 45% | +4.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | -0.4 pts |
Because most Pulaski 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. 50% of Pulaski County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
Pulaski County against other Kentucky counties
Out of every Kentucky county, Pulaski County is most unusual on these measures.
- Pulaski County ranks 14th highest of 120 Kentucky counties for population: 65,897, against 4,534,824 statewide. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
- On the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent, Pulaski County sits near the top of Kentucky at 50%, 18th highest of 120. Rent pressure leaves little room; stress-test any payment.
Pulaski County income bands
Pulaski County households have a median income of $51,898 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 76th of 120 in Kentucky.
| Yearly household income | Pulaski County | Gap to Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.5% | +7.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.4% | +0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.1% | -4.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -3.3 pts |
36% under $35,000 and 22% at $100,000 or more: that is the Pulaski County income split. 19.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.1%). Gini index for Pulaski County: 0.474. A household earning below the $51,898 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Pulaski County towns compared
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Pulaski County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 14,467 people, so roughly 78% of residents live outside any named place. Burnside has the highest median household income on the list ($58,750) and Somerset the lowest ($34,704), counting places with at least 500 residents. None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | city | 12,216 | $34,704 | $775 | 2 mi |
| Ferguson | city | 849 | $40,500 | $758 | 3 mi |
| Burnside | city | 755 | $58,750 | $926 | 8 mi |
| Science Hill | city | 647 | $50,341 | $747 | 6 mi |
Pulaski County, Rockcastle County and other neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (23 to 26 miles). Income ranges from $33,750 in McCreary County to $57,771 in Laurel County; 2 of these neighbors top Pulaski County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulaski County | - | $51,898 | $803/mo | 72% |
| Rockcastle County, KY | 23 mi | $48,862 | $676/mo | 74% |
| Casey County, KY | 24 mi | $45,510 | $670/mo | 80% |
| Lincoln County, KY | 25 mi | $52,440 | $698/mo | 76% |
| Laurel County, KY | 25 mi | $57,771 | $813/mo | 72% |
| Wayne County, KY | 25 mi | $45,739 | $727/mo | 69% |
| McCreary County, KY | 26 mi | $33,750 | $577/mo | 74% |
Debt-to-income, Pulaski County edition
How much room does a median Pulaski County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,325 before taxes
- Less median rent of $803, which is 19% of it
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $927 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Pulaski County's.
Who lives in Pulaski County, in numbers
18% of Pulaski County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Uninsured, Pulaski County: 6.1%; Kentucky: 6.0%.
| People and households | Pulaski County | Compared with Kentucky | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.1% | -9.4 pts | -4.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 19.7% | +3.6 pts | +6.5 pts |
| Work from home | 6.7% | -3.5 pts | -2.0 pts |
| Median age | 42.3 | +3.2 yrs | +0.8 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 13.7% | +2.6 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 5.1% | -1.6 pts | -0.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.1% | +0.1 pts | -1.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | +0.1 pts | +0.5 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Pulaski County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Pulaski County
A few patterns in the Pulaski County data, and the practical point behind each:
- 17% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Free help first. 20% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Pulaski County rent burden. 50% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
A Pulaski County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Pulaski County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Pulaski County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Licensing and complaints for Pulaski County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Pulaski County resident can confirm its license with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Nationally, Pulaski County residents can file with the CFPB. The Kentucky page has statewide figures to set beside Pulaski County's.
Keep exploring
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Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Pulaski County earn?
The median is $51,898; 22% earn $100,000 or more and 36% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Can a Pulaski County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $803 median rent and $4,325 median monthly income, rent alone uses 19%; add other debts before a new payment.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Pulaski County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 72% of Pulaski County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
I live in a small Pulaski County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Somerset, Ferguson, Burnside, Science Hill.
Are Pulaski County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.