Special Interest
Housing in Mercer County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Mercer County averages $831/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the Kentucky median of $967 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 24% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Mercer County FMR Area are $619 for a studio, $660 for 1‑bedroom, $866 for 2‑bedroom, $1,204 for 3‑bedroom, and $1,453 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $35 increase for a 2-bedroom in Mercer County shows a 4% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Mercer County was 4.8% in 2024, compared to Kentucky at 5.1% and the national rate of 4.0%.
