Special Interest
Housing in Ballard County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Ballard County averages $817/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 22% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Ballard County FMR Area are $841 for a studio, $859 for 1‑bedroom, $1,127 for 2‑bedroom, $1,351 for 3‑bedroom, and $1,724 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $310 increase for a 2-bedroom in Ballard County shows a 38% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Ballard County was 5.4% in 2024, compared to Kentucky at 5.1% and the national rate of 4.0%.
