The Bluegrass State is known for bourbon, horse racing, tobacco, and bluegrass music. Kentucky is Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace and Kentucky Fried Chicken’s home. There are so many great sights in Kentucky that are worth a visit. But in terms of wealth, where do the counties in Kentucky stand within the state? Which counties in Kentucky are at the top of the list? Let’s take a look at the six wealthiest counties in Kentucky.
Oldham County
Oldham County has a population of 67,000 and is located in the north-central part of Kentucky. The county is part of the Louisville metropolitan area and is considered the wealthiest county in Kentucky, as well as the 47th wealthiest county in the United States. It is also the most educated county in the state. The reason for this is that many wealthy people have established themselves in the area with summer homes and such. With a median home price at $401,000, Oldham County is more suburban, and many wealthy people who work in Louisville commute.
Spencer County
Part of the Louisville Metropolitan area, Spencer County has a small population of only 19,000 people. Spencer County was a dry county, but that changed in 2009 when the residents decided to vote to overturn the ban on alcohol. The median home price in Spencer County is $326,000, which is one of the highest in the state. The major industries that make Spencer County Home are manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Notable people living in Spencer County include politician James Tipton.
Woodford County
With a population of 26,000, Woodford County is part of the Lexington Metropolitan area. It is also the major epicenter of the Bluegrass region of the state. Woodford County is also where several historically powerful bourbon distilleries are located, as well as the Kentucky Castle. Furthermore, notable people who have lived or are living in Woodford County include actor William Shatner, many Kentucky politicians, and motivational speaker Chris Hogan.
Boone County
Sitting on the Ohio River, Boone County has a population of 135,000 people. The main economic driver in Boone County is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport that is located here. Big Bone Lick State Park is also a tourist attraction located in Boone County. As for wealth statistics, the median home price in Boone County is $294,952 and its median income is $87,034. Among notable people who have lived or still live here are actor Josh Hutcherson, politician Gex Williams, and basketball player Justin Doellman.
Shelby County
With a population of 48,000 people, Shelby County is part of the Louisville metropolitan area. Shelby County was entirely a dry county which means there were no alcohol sales at all within County lines, however, several cities started to change those rules and now Shelby County is a wet county. In terms of wealth, Shelby County has a median home price of $277,116 and the median income is $73,974. Lastly, notable people living in Shelby County include county judge Dan Ison.
Scott County
With a population of 57,000 people, Scott County is part of the Louisville Metropolitan area. Like other counties in Kentucky, Scott County was also a dry county but in 2019 the voters decided to make it a wet county. In terms of wealth, the median home price in Scott County is $275,992 and the median income is $73,113. Lastly, notable people who have lived or are living in Scott County include author Edith Summers Kelley, Confederate General Gustavus W. Smith, and Former Vice President Richard M. Johnson.
Conclusion
And there you have it, these are the six wealthiest counties in Kentucky. The people living in these counties have established themselves, making money from investments or their family business. Some people are living in Kentucky that are millionaires or even billionaires and that is an increasing trend continuing in the future.
Summary of the 6 Wealthiest Counties in Kentucky
Rank | County | Median Income | Overall Wealth Index |
---|---|---|---|
6 | Oldham County | $109,815 | 31.12 |
5 | Spencer County | $92,973 | 24.68 |
4 | Woodford County | $72,765 | 21.89 |
3 | Boone County | $87,034 | 21.44 |
2 | Shelby County | $73,974 | 21.02 |
1 | Scott County | $73,113 | 20.69 |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com
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