1st Advantage MortgageIn Rockcastle County, Kentucky, the typical household earns $48,862 a year and the typical rent is $676. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Kentucky license first.
On this page
- Rockcastle County by the numbers
- Income in Rockcastle County compared with Kentucky
- Work, industries and travel time in Rockcastle County
- Renting and owning in Rockcastle County
- The counties around Rockcastle County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Rockcastle County
- Budget math at the Rockcastle County median
- Who lives in Rockcastle County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Rockcastle County
- Steps before you apply in Rockcastle County
- Kentucky rules that apply in Rockcastle County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Rockcastle County by the numbers
With an estimated 16,163 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Rockcastle County ranks 69th of 120 in Kentucky for population. It covers 317 square miles of land, or about 51 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Rockcastle County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (3 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Mount Vernon, with about 2,398 residents, or 15% of the county.
Income in Rockcastle County compared with Kentucky
Half of Rockcastle County households take in less than $48,862 a year and half take in more, 23% below the Kentucky median of $63,726. In the state ranking that is 85th of 120.
| Band | Rockcastle County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.6% | +9.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.2% | -7.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -3.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 19% of Rockcastle County households make $100,000 or more, and 38% make less than $35,000. 25.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.1%). A household earning below the $48,862 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Work, industries and travel time in Rockcastle County
The biggest employer of Rockcastle County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 29% of workers, followed by manufacturing (18%). The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 29% locally and 24% for Kentucky. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 21% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 9.3% of the total (6.8% statewide).
| Where residents work | Rockcastle County | Difference from Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.7% | +4.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.2% | +3.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.1% | +2.6 pts |
| Construction | 7.5% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -2.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.3% | -0.7 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.
Renting and owning in Rockcastle County
Renters in Rockcastle County pay a median of $676 a month, 30% below the Kentucky figure of $967. By the Census definition, 44% of Rockcastle County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $123,600, a typical Rockcastle County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 74% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1990.
| Housing | Rockcastle County | Kentucky statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $676/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $123,600 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 10% | 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).
The counties around Rockcastle County
Jackson County is closest, 16 miles from center to center; the sixth, Madison County, is 25 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Rockcastle County; Madison County is highest at $63,351 and Jackson County lowest at $40,000.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockcastle County | - | $48,862 | $676/mo | 74% |
| Jackson County, KY | 16 mi | $40,000 | $665/mo | 77% |
| Lincoln County, KY | 20 mi | $52,440 | $698/mo | 76% |
| Laurel County, KY | 20 mi | $57,771 | $813/mo | 72% |
| Garrard County, KY | 23 mi | $63,087 | $794/mo | 80% |
| Pulaski County, KY | 23 mi | $51,898 | $803/mo | 72% |
| Madison County, KY | 25 mi | $63,351 | $889/mo | 62% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Rockcastle County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Rockcastle County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 4,008 residents, leaving about 75% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Rockcastle County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon | city | 2,398 | $38,697 | $620 | 1 mi |
| Brodhead | city | 1,423 | $35,333 | $636 | 6 mi |
| Livingston | city | 187 | $38,393 | n/a | 7 mi |
Budget math at the Rockcastle County median
Here is the Rockcastle County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Rockcastle County: $4,072
- Rent at the median, $676, takes 17% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $790 a month
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,075 a month
If your rent is above $676, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in Rockcastle County, in numbers
14% of Rockcastle County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 6.8%, against 6.0% for Kentucky.
| Residents | Rockcastle County | Kentucky | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.8 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.7% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.6% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.3% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.4% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 25.6% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Rockcastle County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.5% |
| 60+ min | 8.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Rockcastle County
What the Rockcastle County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Vehicle repairs. 21% of Rockcastle County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 25% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 26% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Steps before you apply in Rockcastle County
A short checklist for Rockcastle County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Kentucky rules that apply in Rockcastle County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Rockcastle County resident can confirm its license with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Kentucky: Kentucky personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Kentucky guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Rockcastle County?
$48,862 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,726 for Kentucky. It ranks 85th of 120 in the state.
How much is rent in Rockcastle County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $676 a month; 44% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Mount Vernon?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Rockcastle County, such as Brodhead, Livingston.
Does living in Rockcastle County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Rockcastle County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Rockcastle County check a lender's license?
With the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.