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CITY

Phelps

Kentucky · 301 residents · 7.994 sq mi
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The short version

Population has fallen 71% since 2000, a loss of 752 residents. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $102,700. With a median age of 58.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 36.5% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Older
median age 58.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
301
−71%since 2000
from 1,053 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
38 / sq mi
−71%since 2000
from 132 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
58.3
+56%since 2000
from 37.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
1985078161K1K1990201020202024Phelps
2024301
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Per capita income
$14,944
+44%since 2000
from $10,365 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
4.5%
−12.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
36.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 36.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.485
−2%since 2010
from 0.495 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information65.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$102,700
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
57.4%
−24.6 ptssince 2000
from 82.0% in 2000
42.6% rent
Vacancy rate
15.8%
−23.0 ptssince 2009
from 38.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.9%
−19.4 ptssince 2009
from 32.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Phelps on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99%(1,042)
Black0.2%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.7%(17)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.7%(246)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other18.3%(55)
Diversity Score37.3%(112)
Diversity Score
37
+2150%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
51.5%
−10.9 ptssince 2000
from 62.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.2%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 1.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Drive alone to work
100.0%
+24.9 ptssince 2009
from 75.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−24.9 ptssince 2009
from 24.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
38.6%
+16.8 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−21.2 ptssince 2011
from 21.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
8.8%
−16.8 ptssince 2011
from 25.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
34.8%
+10.4 ptssince 2009
from 24.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.8%
−36.9 ptssince 2009
from 71.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.2%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 35.1% in 2009
Female
59.8%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.1%
−33.8 ptssince 2009
from 36.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
65.8%
+24.4 ptssince 2012
from 41.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−80.0 ptssince 2013
from 80.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
69.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2017
from 66.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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PHELPS VS
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PHELPS VS
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PHELPS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Phelps, Kentucky?

Phelps, Kentucky has about 301 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

Is Phelps, Kentucky expensive?

In Phelps, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $102,700.

How educated are people in Phelps, Kentucky?

About 7.3% of adults age 25 and over in Phelps, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Phelps, Kentucky?

About 36.5% of people in Phelps, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Phelps, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Phelps, Kentucky has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,030 residents, a change of about -77 percent over that period.

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

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