Owsley County, Kentucky
Income Data
At a Glance
How Owsley County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Data Story
About Household Income in Owsley County, Kentucky
Owsley County faces severe income challenge
Owsley County's median household income of $31,064 is less than half the national median of $74,755, representing a devastating 58% shortfall. This income gap is among the worst in America, reflecting deep structural economic challenges and limited employment opportunities. Owsley ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for household earnings.
Kentucky's poorest county by income
At $31,064, Owsley County's median household income falls $24,845 below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, representing a 44% gap. The per capita income of $21,285 severely underperforms the state average of $29,616 by 28%, indicating widespread economic distress. Owsley ranks last or near-last among Kentucky's 120 counties.
Outlier in lowest income tier
Owsley ($31,064) earns $21,610 less than the next-lowest county in this group, Nicholas ($53,616)—a staggering 41% gap. Even Nicholas County, among the lower earners, substantially outpaces Owsley. This dramatic disparity underscores Owsley's acute economic isolation within the region.
Housing cost strain is severe
Owsley County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.3% is the highest by far in this eight-county comparison, meaning over one-fifth of household income goes to rent. The median home value of $79,900 is lowest in the region, yet still consumes nearly one-quarter of annual earnings. Housing insecurity represents a genuine crisis for many Owsley households.
Seek urgent financial stability support
Owsley County residents face immediate financial survival challenges that precede traditional wealth-building strategies. Accessing emergency assistance programs, food security resources, and housing support through nonprofits and government agencies is critical. Long-term solutions require regional economic development, job training, and access to higher-wage employment pathways.
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.