Kentucky

Which Central KY counties are among the state’s wealthiest? See latest analysis

Here’s how Kentucky’s wealthiest counties compare for income and home values, according to a new report from financial website SmartAsset.
Here’s how Kentucky’s wealthiest counties compare for income and home values, according to a new report from financial website SmartAsset. Getty Images

Fayette County just missed making the top 10 wealthiest counties list in Kentucky, according to an analsys by finance website SmartAsset, which found Oldham County the No. 1 wealthiest in the commonwealth.

The report found Fayette County the 11th richest, with a median income of $67,631, right below Bullitt County, which had a $77,640 median income.

The finance website used sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, real estate site Zillow and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to compile the ranking. The three metrics considered included investment income, median home value and median income. The most recent ranking reflects data updated this year.

Kentucky has a statewide median household income of $67,417, according to the Census Bureau. Although residents of the Bluegrass State’s wealthiest counties make significantly more than the statewide median income, Americans are paying more this year for groceries, utilities and other essentials. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the overall 12-month inflation rate is 2.7%, while some categories have seen steeper increases.

What are the wealthiest counties in Kentucky?

Here’s how the 10 wealthiest counties in Kentucky stacked up, from SmartAsset:

1. Oldham County

  • Median income: $121,491
  • Investment income: $44,226
  • Median home value: $399,639

2. Spencer County

  • Median income: $98,333
  • Investment income: $21,263
  • Median home value: $315,654

3. Boone County

  • Median income: $94,752
  • Investment income: $31,509
  • Median home value: $295,005

4. Shelby County

  • Median income: $82,671
  • Investment income: $47,533
  • Median home value: $282,023

5. Scott County

  • Median income: $83,660
  • Investment income: $29,257
  • Median home value: $272,516

6. Kenton County

  • Median income: $79,421
  • Investment income: $64,259
  • Median home value: $237,810

7. Woodford County

  • Median income: $80,006
  • Investment income: $44,291
  • Median home value: $279,408

8. Jessamine County

  • Median income: $74,886
  • Investment income: $53,082
  • Median home value: $260,263

9. Campbell County

  • Median income: $77,271
  • Investment income: $34,716
  • Median home value: $242,344

10. Bullitt County

  • Median income: $77,640
  • Investment income: $19,186
  • Median home value: $251,128

A couple of counties switched places from 2024’s ranking, which named the top 10 wealthiest Kentucky counties as Oldham, Spencer, Boone, Kenton, Shelby, Scott, Woodford, Jessamine, Campbell and Bullitt.

Do you have a question about the Kentucky economy for the Herald-Leader? We’d like to hear from you. Email ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form below.

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Meredith Howard
Belleville News-Democrat
Meredith Howard is a service journalist with the Belleville News-Democrat. She is a Baylor University graduate and has previously freelanced with the Illinois Times and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Support my work with a digital subscription
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