Clark County, Kentucky: commercial real estate data.
Clark County, Kentucky had an estimated 37,673 residents on July 1, 2024, up 1.8 percent since the 2020 census base of 36,996, across 252 square miles. County output reached $2.04 bn in 2024, 784 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 24 7(a) approvals worth $9.8 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Clark County
How many people live in Clark County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202437,192
- Households15,055
- Average household size2.47
- Median household income$64,348
- Median age40.5
- Median gross rent$938 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$205,800
- Home value to household income3.2 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income17.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher22.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree8.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over26,130
- Population under 188,358
- Share under 1822.5 percent
- Population 65 and over6,777
- Share 65 and over18.2 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6422,057
- Civilian labor force17,472
- Unemployment rate4.4 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over60.6 percent
- Rank by population among Kentucky counties27th of 120
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included1279th of 3,222
Clark County is the 27th largest of 120 Kentucky counties by population. A median home costs 3.2 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.5 percent against 18.2 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Clark County
Is Clark County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202437,673
- Census 2020 base population36,996
- Population change since the 2020 census base1.83 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024336
- Births, 2024416
- Deaths, 2024495
- Natural change, 2024-79
- Net domestic migration, 2024400
- Net international migration, 202419
- Total net migration, 2024419
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024918
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1226th of 3,144
The county has grown 1.83 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Clark County
Where are people moving to Clark County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving1,110
- People arriving, from those returns2,052
- Tax returns filed by households leaving917
- Net household movement193
- Adjusted gross income arriving$62.0 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$16.2 m
- Average income of an arriving household$55,891
- Average income of a leaving household$49,968
- Largest single originFayette County (312 households)
- Largest single destinationFayette County (181 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette County | 312 | 579 | $15.6 m |
| Montgomery County | 83 | 155 | $3.5 m |
| Madison County | 66 | 123 | $3.2 m |
| Powell County | 46 | 92 | $1.9 m |
| Scott County | 38 | 55 | $2.0 m |
| Bourbon County | 31 | 66 | $1.4 m |
| Jessamine County | 24 | 39 | $1.1 m |
Households arriving report $5,923 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Fayette County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Clark County
What is the Clark County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$2.04 bn
- County GDP, 2023$1.92 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20246.4 percent
- GDP change over five years30.3 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Kentucky areas BEA publishes26th of 120
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes1259th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$54,940
Output grew 6.4 percent in the latest year and 30.3 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Clark County
Employment by industry in Clark County
- Covered employment, annual average13,594
- Establishments reporting1,069
- Average annual pay$55,905
- Average weekly wage$1,075
- Manufacturing, employment2,712
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$69,579
- Retail trade, employment1,828
- Retail trade, average annual pay$33,255
- Health care and social assistance, employment1,586
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$61,767
- Accommodation and food services, employment1,207
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$20,257
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment968
- Construction, employment685
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 2,712 | 55 | $69,579 |
| Retail trade | 1,828 | 140 | $33,255 |
| Health care and social assistance | 1,586 | 146 | $61,767 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,207 | 78 | $20,257 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 968 | 60 | $37,672 |
| Construction | 685 | 102 | $64,225 |
| Wholesale trade | 638 | 57 | $74,387 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 622 | 114 | $69,003 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 2,712 jobs, 19.9 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Clark County
How many businesses are in Clark County?
- Establishments, all industries784
- Employment at those establishments12,466
- Annual payroll$615.8 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents21.1
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Clark County
Building permits in Clark County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024160
- Declared construction value permitted$25.9 m
- Single family units authorized62
- Multifamily units authorized98
- Multifamily share of units61.3 percent
- Average declared value per unit$161,601
- Units authorized per 1,000 households10.6
Multifamily is 61.3 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Clark County
SBA loans in Clark County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded24
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$9.8 m
- Average 7(a) approval$410,417
- Median 7(a) approval$150,000
- 10th percentile approval$31,500
- 90th percentile approval$1,150,000
- Largest single approval$1,895,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)193
- Jobs per approval8.0
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active12
- Distinct industries receiving approvals16
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer12.5 percent
- Loans on real estate terms3
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter18
- Franchise loans2
- Franchise share of approvals8.3 percent
- Leading industry by approval countLandscaping Services (4)
- Most active lenderCommunity Trust Bank, Inc. (7)
- 504 approvals recorded4
- 504 gross approval dollars$2.2 m
- Average 504 approval$562,250
- Median 504 approval$304,000
- Distinct CDCs active2
- 504 jobs per approval5.5
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved9.8
- Most active CDCCommunity Ventures Corporation (3)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$12.1 m
The average approval of $410,417 sits well above the median of $150,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 12.5 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Clark County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Clark County
Do SBA loans in Clark County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded2
- Paid in full2
- Charged off0
- Status: Cancelled3
- Status: Exempt from disclosure19
- Status: Paid in full2
Only 2 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Clark County
SBA lending by place in Clark County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending2
- Winchester, approvals23
- Lexington, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Winchester | 23 | $9,782,900 |
| Lexington | 1 | $67,100 |
Winchester accounts for 23 approvals against 1 in Lexington. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Clark County
How large is Clark County?
- Land area252 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Kentucky counties82nd of 120
- Width, east to west20.2 mi
- Height, north to south19.2 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land148
- Establishments per square mile3.11
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Clark County
Flood risk in Clark County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Clark County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 210278
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book2
- Of those, participating in the NFIP2
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Clark County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Clark County (community 210278), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Clark County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Clark County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Clark County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202437,192
- Households15,055
- Average household size2.47
- Median household income$64,348
- Median age40.5
Common questions
Clark County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Clark County, Kentucky?
The Census Bureau estimates 37,673 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 37,192, in 15,055 households, ranking 27th of 120 Kentucky counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Clark County's population growing?
The population has grown 1.83 percent since the 2020 census base of 36,996, to 37,673 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 416 births against 495 deaths, with net migration of 419. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Clark County?
$64,348. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $205,800, which is 3.2 times income, and median gross rent is $938 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Clark County?
784 establishments, employing 12,466 people with an annual payroll of $615.8 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Clark County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 2,712 jobs, 19.9 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 13,594 jobs at an average annual pay of $55,905, or $1,075 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Clark County?
24 7(a) approvals totaling $9.8 m since FY2020, across 12 lenders, with a median approval of $150,000, plus 4 504 approvals worth $2.2 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Clark County?
160 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $25.9 m. Multifamily was 61.3 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Clark County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Clark County come from?
The largest single origin is Fayette County, with 312 households. Arriving households report an average income of $55,891 against $49,968 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Clark County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Clark County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Clark County
Cities and places in Clark.
1 Census place lies wholly or partly in Clark County. It carries enough published place level data for a page of its own and is linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | city | 19,213 | 23 | Wholly in this county |
A further 1 of the county's 24 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Clark County, the largest being Lexington (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby