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CITY · 2020 ACS

Paducah

Kentucky · 27,137 residents · 20.347 sq mi
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The short version

Paducah has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,061. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $118,100. The poverty rate of 21.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 25% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
27,137
+3%since 2000
from 26,307 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,334 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 1,293 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.0
Unchangedsince 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
25K25K26K27K27K1990201020202024Paducah
202427K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,061
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,137 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,620
+66%since 2000
from $18,417 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.4%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 22.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information15.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.7%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.3%
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
$118,100
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $61,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$695
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $386 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
48.7%
−4.2 ptssince 2000
from 52.9% in 2000
51.3% rent
Afford Score
3.0
+29%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Paducah on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72.1%(18,976)
Black24%(6,326)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(362)
Asian0.6%(168)
Other0%
Diversity Score50%(13,159)
2020
White, non-Hispanic66.8%(18,130)
Black22%(5,968)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(1,047)
Asian1%(273)
Other3.4%(912)
Diversity Score58.9%(15,997)
Diversity Score
59
+18%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.5%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.6%
+14.0 ptssince 2000
from 76.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.2%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.7 min
+62%since 2000
from 10.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.3%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 79.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.0%
−7.6 ptssince 2011
from 10.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.6%
+2.1 ptssince 2011
from 55.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
37.1%
−27.1 ptssince 2009
from 64.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.6% in 2009
Female
53.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.9%
−76.0 ptssince 2013
from 83.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Paducah to nearby cities

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PADUCAH VS
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PADUCAH VS
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PADUCAH VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Paducah, Kentucky?

Paducah, Kentucky has about 27,137 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Paducah, Kentucky?

The typical household in Paducah, Kentucky earns about $39,061 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Paducah, Kentucky expensive?

In Paducah, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $118,100, and the typical rent is about $695 a month.

How educated are people in Paducah, Kentucky?

About 26.5% of adults age 25 and over in Paducah, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Paducah, Kentucky?

About 21.8% of people in Paducah, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Paducah, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Paducah, Kentucky has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 119 residents, a change of about -0 percent over that period.

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

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