Foreclosures in Kentucky increased in 2009 over the prior year. There was a total of 9,682
properties with foreclosure filings. That works out to a rate of one filing for every 197 households, which compares to the United States average of 45, and is about one half of one percent of the state's housing units.
Kentucky is the 26th largest U.S. state by population, with 4,314,113 people (in 2009). Its 40,409 square miles make it the 37th largest state by area. Median household income in 2008 was $41,538.
While Kentucky has been thought of historically as an agriculture state, it has become the nation's 4th largest auto manufacturer in recent years, thanks influxes from Toyota, GM and Ford. Kentucky leads the nation in horse breeding, and its economy also is based in large part on livestock, coal and tobacco in addition to manufacturing. Kentucky is relatively poor, placing 43rd in per-capita income, but its low cost of living helps offset that.