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CITY

Berea

Kentucky · 16,662 residents (2025 est.) · 16.511 sq mi
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The short version

Berea has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $59,495. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 60% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $199,900. At a median age of 33.2, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 33.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 43%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,786
+60%since 2000
from 9,851 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
956 / sq mi
+60%since 2000
from 597 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
33.2
+9%since 2000
from 30.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:16,662 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8K10K12K14K16K1990201020202024Berea
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$59,495
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,480 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,877
+72%since 2000
from $15,025 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.9%
+15.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.427
−2%since 2010
from 0.436 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade13.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$199,900
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$835
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $425 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 57.5% in 2000
41.3% rent
Vacancy rate
10.4%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.6%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 23.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 38.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+34%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Berea on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92%(9,059)
Black4.3%(421)
Hispanic / Latino1%(98)
Asian0.9%(86)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.9%(1,468)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.6%(13,833)
Black3%(478)
Hispanic / Latino5.2%(820)
Asian0.7%(109)
Other3.5%(546)
Diversity Score28.4%(4,485)
Diversity Score
28
+91%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.2%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 23.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.5%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 74.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.0%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.1 min
+60%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.8%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 63.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.9%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.9%
−12.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.5%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.2%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 6.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 61.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.6%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.7%
−29.4 ptssince 2009
from 67.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 43.9% in 2009
Female
53.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.0%
−35.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2012
from 16.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.2%
−80.9 ptssince 2013
from 86.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.4%
+14.6 ptssince 2017
from 75.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.9%
+1.5 ptssince 2016
from 94.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 3.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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BEREA VS
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BEREA VS
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BEREA VS
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Home value$188,300−6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Berea, Kentucky?

Berea, Kentucky has about 15,786 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Berea, Kentucky?

The typical household in Berea, Kentucky earns about $59,495 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Berea, Kentucky expensive?

In Berea, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $199,900, and the typical rent is about $835 a month.

How educated are people in Berea, Kentucky?

About 27.2% of adults age 25 and over in Berea, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Berea, Kentucky?

About 17.9% of people in Berea, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Berea, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Berea, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,660 residents, a change of about 73 percent over that period.

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

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