Highest-earning counties in Kentucky

Published 11:31 am Wednesday, July 6, 2022

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

Highest-earning counties in Kentucky

The 2020 median household income in the U.S. was $67,521, a decrease of 2.9% from 2019. COVID-19 in 2020 drastically altered income and poverty levels, along with consumer habits and job opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-earning counties in Kentucky using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by 2020 5-year estimate median household income.

Data shows that annual annual income depends heavily on an individual’s educational attainment, race, ethnicity, gender, and even location. One cluster of the United States is particularly well off: The five of the seven counties with the highest median household income in the country can be found in the Washington D.C. metropolitan areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia. These counties can likely attribute their wealth to their proximity to Washington D.C., which attracts highly educated and skilled people in areas of law and public policy. And people in those fields often marry each other, making two high-earning households one very high-earning household.

Keep reading to learn more about the highest-earning counties in Kentucky.

You may also like: Highest NFL draft picks from Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Nicholas County

– Median household income: $47,665
— 8.8% below state average, 26.7% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 15.8%
— #2,377 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 15.8%
— #2,171 highest among all counties nationwide

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Caldwell County

– Median household income: $48,281
— 7.6% below state average, 25.7% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 19.6%
— #1,674 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 15.5%
— #2,114 highest among all counties nationwide

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Larue County

– Median household income: $48,495
— 7.2% below state average, 25.4% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 14.5%
— #2,579 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 11.2%
— #2,095 highest among all counties nationwide

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Logan County

– Median household income: $48,912
— 6.4% below state average, 24.7% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 15.1%
— #2,490 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 15.1%
— #2,055 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Lyon County

– Median household income: $49,286
— 5.7% below state average, 24.2% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 20.9%
— #1,466 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 11.0%
— #2,011 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Best colleges in Kentucky

Patricia Drury // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Union County

– Median household income: $49,812
— 4.6% below state average, 23.4% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 17.1%
— #2,120 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 9.0%
— #1,954 highest among all counties nationwide

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Simpson County

– Median household income: $50,159
— 4.0% below state average, 22.8% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 13.3%
— #2,726 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 10.1%
— #1,916 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Taylor County

– Median household income: $50,266
— 3.8% below state average, 22.7% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 15.6%
— #2,419 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 13.4%
— #1,903 highest among all counties nationwide

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Harrison County

– Median household income: $50,270
— 3.8% below state average, 22.7% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 18.0%
— #1,961 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 16.8%
— #1,899 highest among all counties nationwide

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Henderson County

– Median household income: $50,471
— 3.4% below state average, 22.3% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 18.9%
— #1,801 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 16.9%
— #1,875 highest among all counties nationwide

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Owen County

– Median household income: $50,553
— 3.2% below state average, 22.2% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 21.5%
— #1,352 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 13.9%
— #1,872 highest among all counties nationwide

Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Trigg County

– Median household income: $50,980
— 2.4% below state average, 21.6% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 16.8%
— #2,193 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 13.9%
— #1,828 highest among all counties nationwide

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Boyd County

– Median household income: $51,019
— 2.3% below state average, 21.5% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 17.9%
— #1,977 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 15.8%
— #1,823 highest among all counties nationwide

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Boyle County

– Median household income: $51,562
— 1.3% below state average, 20.7% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 22.6%
— #1,179 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 16.0%
— #1,745 highest among all counties nationwide

FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Madison County

– Median household income: $51,649
— 1.1% below state average, 20.5% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 21.0%
— #1,445 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 14.3%
— #1,733 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Counties with the most super commuters in Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Mercer County

– Median household income: $52,312
— 0.1% above state average, 19.5% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 20.3%
— #1,558 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 12.7%
— #1,624 highest among all counties nationwide

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Greenup County

– Median household income: $52,337
— 0.2% above state average, 19.5% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 19.4%
— #1,721 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 12.2%
— #1,619 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Henry County

– Median household income: $52,550
— 0.6% above state average, 19.1% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 17.5%
— #2,042 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 12.2%
— #1,594 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Livingston County

– Median household income: $52,795
— 1.1% above state average, 18.8% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 16.4%
— #2,247 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 13.2%
— #1,578 highest among all counties nationwide

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Robertson County

– Median household income: $53,074
— 1.6% above state average, 18.3% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 13.0%
— #2,756 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 21.6%
— #1,543 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Counties with the most college graduates in Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. McLean County

– Median household income: $54,181
— 3.7% above state average, 16.6% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 22.5%
— #1,214 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 14.1%
— #1,433 highest among all counties nationwide

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Warren County

– Median household income: $54,325
— 4.0% above state average, 16.4% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 22.0%
— #1,268 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 12.2%
— #1,411 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Anderson County

– Median household income: $54,413
— 4.2% above state average, 16.3% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 22.7%
— #1,169 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 9.5%
— #1,405 highest among all counties nationwide

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Clark County

– Median household income: $54,871
— 5.0% above state average, 15.6% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 20.8%
— #1,485 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 12.4%
— #1,358 highest among all counties nationwide

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Daviess County

– Median household income: $54,881
— 5.1% above state average, 15.6% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 22.2%
— #1,244 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 12.1%
— #1,357 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Famous actresses from Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Gallatin County

– Median household income: $55,113
— 5.5% above state average, 15.2% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 16.2%
— #2,294 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 12.0%
— #1,326 highest among all counties nationwide

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Washington County

– Median household income: $55,321
— 5.9% above state average, 14.9% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 21.1%
— #1,424 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 11.9%
— #1,311 highest among all counties nationwide

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Garrard County

– Median household income: $55,369
— 6.0% above state average, 14.8% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 20.4%
— #1,543 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 9.2%
— #1,306 highest among all counties nationwide

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Pendleton County

– Median household income: $56,000
— 7.2% above state average, 13.8% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 23.1%
— #1,113 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 18.8%
— #1,244 highest among all counties nationwide

Ryan Emmick // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Hancock County

– Median household income: $56,265
— 7.7% above state average, 13.4% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 22.1%
— #1,251 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 8.8%
— #1,223 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Most popular boy names in the 70s in Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Grant County

– Median household income: $56,746
— 8.6% above state average, 12.7% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 23.7%
— #1,025 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 13.2%
— #1,187 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Hardin County

– Median household income: $57,101
— 9.3% above state average, 12.1% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 22.7%
— #1,164 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 8.7%
— #1,152 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Marshall County

– Median household income: $57,348
— 9.8% above state average, 11.8% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 24.0%
— #990 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 10.7%
— #1,113 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Trimble County

– Median household income: $57,589
— 10.2% above state average, 11.4% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 20.0%
— #1,607 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 14.8%
— #1,094 highest among all counties nationwide

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#16. Jefferson County

– Median household income: $58,196
— 11.4% above state average, 10.5% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 25.8%
— #792 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 10.9%
— #1,051 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Where people in Kentucky are moving to most

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Fayette County

– Median household income: $58,954
— 12.9% above state average, 9.3% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 27.6%
— #656 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 10.9%
— #996 highest among all counties nationwide

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Franklin County

– Median household income: $59,056
— 13.1% above state average, 9.1% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 21.9%
— #1,288 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 8.9%
— #984 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Bracken County

– Median household income: $60,053
— 15.0% above state average, 7.6% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 21.5%
— #1,352 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 17.0%
— #890 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Meade County

– Median household income: $61,500
— 17.7% above state average, 5.4% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 26.2%
— #763 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 10.2%
— #788 highest among all counties nationwide

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Nelson County

– Median household income: $63,032
— 20.7% above state average, 3.0% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 24.1%
— #983 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 6.6%
— #688 highest among all counties nationwide

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Campbell County

– Median household income: $63,152
— 20.9% above state average, 2.8% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 30.5%
— #454 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 12.5%
— #677 highest among all counties nationwide

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Jessamine County

– Median household income: $64,855
— 24.2% above state average, 0.2% below national average
– Households earning over $100k: 27.5%
— #659 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 10.0%
— #588 highest among all counties nationwide

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Bullitt County

– Median household income: $65,531
— 25.4% above state average, 0.8% above national average
– Households earning over $100k: 26.4%
— #741 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 7.7%
— #543 highest among all counties nationwide

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Woodford County

– Median household income: $66,442
— 27.2% above state average, 2.2% above national average
– Households earning over $100k: 30.6%
— #451 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 7.0%
— #509 highest among all counties nationwide

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Kenton County

– Median household income: $66,541
— 27.4% above state average, 2.4% above national average
– Households earning over $100k: 30.2%
— #473 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 8.5%
— #506 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Highest rated beer in Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Scott County

– Median household income: $71,750
— 37.4% above state average, 10.4% above national average
– Households earning over $100k: 33.6%
— #330 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 6.9%
— #332 highest among all counties nationwide

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Shelby County

– Median household income: $72,564
— 38.9% above state average, 11.6% above national average
– Households earning over $100k: 31.5%
— #414 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 8.5%
— #305 highest among all counties nationwide

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Boone County

– Median household income: $82,838
— 58.6% above state average, 27.5% above national average
– Households earning over $100k: 38.9%
— #192 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 4.1%
— #159 highest among all counties nationwide

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Spencer County

– Median household income: $85,488
— 63.7% above state average, 31.5% above national average
– Households earning over $100k: 39.2%
— #184 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 7.2%
— #127 highest among all counties nationwide

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Oldham County

– Median household income: $103,761
— 98.6% above state average, 59.6% above national average
– Households earning over $100k: 51.8%
— #39 highest among all counties nationwide
– Households earning less than $15k: 3.2%
— #38 highest among all counties nationwide