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CITY · 2020 ACS

Ashland

Kentucky · 21,625 residents · 10.735 sq mi
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The short version

Ashland has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,639. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $101,900. The poverty rate of 21.2% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,625
−2%since 2000
from 21,981 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,014 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 2,048 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.6
−1%since 2000
from 40.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K21K22K23K24K1990201020202024Ashland
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,639
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,309 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,652
+28%since 2000
from $19,218 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 20.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.2%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 18.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$101,900
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$659
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $399 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
55.9%
−8.4 ptssince 2000
from 64.3% in 2000
44.1% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+8%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ashland on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.5%(20,991)
Black2.3%(500)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(130)
Asian0.4%(86)
Other0%
Diversity Score8%(1,767)
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.3%(19,321)
Black2.9%(635)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(421)
Asian0.7%(149)
Other3.6%(780)
Diversity Score21.9%(4,731)
Diversity Score
22
+172%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.9%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 18.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.4%
+10.5 ptssince 2000
from 77.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.0%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.9 min
+65%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.6%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 83.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
51.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 53.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
41.1%
−23.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
54.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.0%
−78.5 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Ashland

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Compare Ashland to nearby cities

ASHLAND VS
Ironton
Income$47,648+12%
Home value$106,700+5%
Population10,148−52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ASHLAND VS
Huntington
Income$45,100+6%
Home value$127,200+25%
Population44,815+113%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ASHLAND VS
Portsmouth
Income$34,713−19%
Home value$103,300+1%
Population17,282−18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ASHLAND VS
Teays Valley
Income$108,741+155%
Home value$278,000+173%
Population14,151−33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ashland, Kentucky?

Ashland, Kentucky has about 21,625 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ashland, Kentucky?

The typical household in Ashland, Kentucky earns about $42,639 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ashland, Kentucky expensive?

In Ashland, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $101,900, and the typical rent is about $659 a month.

How educated are people in Ashland, Kentucky?

About 25.9% of adults age 25 and over in Ashland, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ashland, Kentucky?

About 21.2% of people in Ashland, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ashland, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Ashland, Kentucky has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,997 residents, a change of about -8 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →