1st Advantage MortgageIn Warren County, Kentucky, the typical household earns $65,794 a year and the typical rent is $1,002. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Kentucky before sharing details.
On this page
- Warren County by the numbers
- How Warren County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Warren County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Warren County
- Places inside Warren County
- Counties near Warren County
- People and households in Warren County
- What the numbers mean for Warren County borrowers
- A Warren County household budget, worked through
- Lender oversight for Warren County
- Checklist for Warren County applicants
- More guides for Warren County
- Frequently asked questions
Warren County by the numbers
With an estimated 140,918 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Warren County ranks 4th of 120 in Kentucky for population. Land area is 542 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 260 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Bowling Green, KY metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 6 Census places inside Warren County, Bowling Green leads by population with about 75,388; 5 of the 6 are incorporated.
How Warren County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. Compared with Kentucky, the county leans toward arts, lodging and food service (11% against 8%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 76% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Warren County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.4% | -0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.2% | +2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.3% | +3.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.4% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 5.7% | -0.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Warren County
The median household income in Warren County is $65,794; statewide it is $63,726, so Warren County runs 3% above Kentucky as a whole.
| Household income | Warren County | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.6% | -1.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | +0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.3% | +0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.3% | +0.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Warren County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 17.0%, 1 point higher than the state's 16.1%. A household earning below the $65,794 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in Warren County
A typical Warren County rental runs $1,002 a month including utilities, which is 4% above Kentucky. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 48% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $258,000, about 3.9 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 56%.
| Housing | Warren County | Kentucky statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,002/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $258,000 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 56% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 23% | n/a |
Places inside Warren County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 56% of Warren County residents live in one of the 6. Plano has the highest median household income on the list ($80,188) and Bowling Green the lowest ($48,873), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Warren County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | city | 75,388 | $48,873 | $998 | 1 mi |
| Plano | CDP | 1,290 | $80,188 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Smiths Grove | city | 786 | $53,098 | $1,293 | 12 mi |
| Plum Springs | city | 405 | $61,635 | $910 | 3 mi |
| Woodburn | city | 319 | $85,625 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Oakland | city | 280 | $67,188 | n/a | 10 mi |
Counties near Warren County
Edmonson County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Barren County, is 27 miles off. None of the six report a higher median household income than Warren County; Allen County is highest at $61,403 and Barren County lowest at $50,628.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren County | - | $65,794 | $1,002/mo | 56% |
| Edmonson County, KY | 20 mi | $54,937 | $778/mo | 80% |
| Simpson County, KY | 20 mi | $59,858 | $1,012/mo | 67% |
| Butler County, KY | 20 mi | $56,092 | $679/mo | 74% |
| Allen County, KY | 21 mi | $61,403 | $844/mo | 74% |
| Logan County, KY | 27 mi | $60,382 | $751/mo | 74% |
| Barren County, KY | 27 mi | $50,628 | $796/mo | 65% |
People and households in Warren County
College graduates make up 32% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 7.9%, against 6.0% for Kentucky.
| Indicator | Warren County | All of Kentucky | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.3 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 32.3% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.6% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.9% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.1% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.6% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.0% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Warren County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 46.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
What the numbers mean for Warren County borrowers
Based on the Warren County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 48% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
A Warren County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Warren County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $5,483 gross per month ($65,794 / 12)
- 18% goes to median rent ($1,002)
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $972 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Lender oversight for Warren County
Consumer lenders serving Warren County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kentucky that is the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Kentucky: Kentucky personal loans.
Checklist for Warren County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Kentucky license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Warren County
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Warren County household make?
About $65,794 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 3% above the Kentucky median.
Is Warren County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,002 against $967 statewide, and 48% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Warren County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Bowling Green, Plano, Smiths Grove, Plum Springs, Woodburn.
Can Warren County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Kentucky county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Warren County?
Start with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.