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CITY

Prestonsburg

Kentucky · 3,618 residents (2025 est.) · 14.704 sq mi
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The short version

Prestonsburg has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $25,746. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% 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 $161,300. The poverty rate of 45.3% is well above the national figure. It falls in the bottom 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,765
+4%since 2000
from 3,612 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
256 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 246 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.6
−8%since 2000
from 40.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,618 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K4K1990201020202024Prestonsburg
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$25,746
−32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,810 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,205
+18%since 2000
from $18,013 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
20.4%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
45.3%
+17.8 ptssince 2000
from 27.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.585
+37%since 2010
from 0.427 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade2.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade1.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.9%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$161,300
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$592
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $242 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
45.0%
−7.9 ptssince 2000
from 52.8% in 2000
55.0% rent
Vacancy rate
12.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
40.2%
+21.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 32.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.3
+70%since 2000
from 3.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
35
RELATED:See current rent listings in Prestonsburg on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.8%(3,498)
Black0.3%(12)
Hispanic / Latino1%(37)
Asian0.5%(17)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.6%(165)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.9%(3,537)
Black1.2%(46)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.6%(24)
Other4.2%(158)
Diversity Score14.4%(544)
Diversity Score
14
+216%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
83.3%
+18.6 ptssince 2000
from 64.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.5%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.4 min
+35%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.5%
+9.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.5%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.9%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.6%
−9.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.4%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
19.3%
+10.7 ptssince 2011
from 8.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
44.1%
+5.8 ptssince 2011
from 38.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.1%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
45.4%
−27.1 ptssince 2009
from 72.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+9.3 ptssince 2009
from 39.5% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−9.3 ptssince 2009
from 60.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.6%
−36.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
29.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2012
from 27.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.0%
−75.0 ptssince 2013
from 83.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.3%
+20.0 ptssince 2017
from 66.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.1%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 98.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Prestonsburg, Kentucky?

Prestonsburg, Kentucky has about 3,765 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Prestonsburg, Kentucky?

The typical household in Prestonsburg, Kentucky earns about $25,746 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Prestonsburg, Kentucky expensive?

In Prestonsburg, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $161,300, and the typical rent is about $592 a month.

How educated are people in Prestonsburg, Kentucky?

About 18.8% of adults age 25 and over in Prestonsburg, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Prestonsburg, Kentucky?

About 45.3% of people in Prestonsburg, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Prestonsburg, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Prestonsburg, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 207 residents, a change of about 6 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 →

Prestonsburg, Kentucky: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy