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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Ballard County

Kentucky · 7,728 residents · 247.095 sq mi
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The short version

Ballard County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,517. Population has declined 7% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $103,800. With a median age of 44.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% 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
7,728
−7%since 2000
from 8,286 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
31 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 34 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.8
+13%since 2000
from 39.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K8K8K8K8K1990201020202024Ballard County
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,517
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,130 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,911
+41%since 2000
from $19,035 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.8%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.2%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade12.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade11.9%
US avg: 10%
Information11.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$103,800
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$659
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $349 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
78.0%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 81.9% in 2000
22.0% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+29%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ballard County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.9%(7,867)
Black2.9%(238)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(52)
Asian0.2%(14)
Other0%
Diversity Score9%(747)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(7,074)
Black2.7%(208)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(93)
Asian0.4%(29)
Other1.1%(88)
Diversity Score13.4%(1,037)
Segregation Score10.4%(803)
Diversity Score
13
+49%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
10
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.7%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.5%
+12.2 ptssince 2000
from 76.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.1 min
+38%since 2000
from 16.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
91.8%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 83.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.4%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.5%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 7.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.4%
−4.4 ptssince 2011
from 56.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.1%
−26.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Female
50.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.2%
−83.6 ptssince 2013
from 88.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Ballard County

Hamilton County
Pop 7,859
Adair County
Pop 7,403
Caribou County
Pop 7,252
Schuyler County
Pop 6,657
Places similar to Ballard County
Head to head

Compare Ballard County to nearby counties

BALLARD COUNTY VS
Pulaski County
Income$42,463−7%
Home value$85,100−18%
Population4,820−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BALLARD COUNTY VS
Carlisle County
Income$62,439+37%
Home value$120,400+16%
Population4,747−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BALLARD COUNTY VS
McCracken County
Income$64,373+41%
Home value$188,100+81%
Population67,553+790%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BALLARD COUNTY VS
Massac County
Income$65,116+43%
Home value$121,900+17%
Population13,502+78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ballard County, Kentucky?

Ballard County, Kentucky has about 7,728 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ballard County, Kentucky?

The typical household in Ballard County, Kentucky earns about $45,517 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ballard County, Kentucky expensive?

In Ballard County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $103,800, and the typical rent is about $659 a month.

How educated are people in Ballard County, Kentucky?

About 15.7% of adults age 25 and over in Ballard County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ballard County, Kentucky?

About 16.2% of people in Ballard County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ballard County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Ballard County, Kentucky has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 174 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

3 census tracts
Census Tract 9501Census Tract 9503Census Tract 9502
6 ZIP codes
ZIP 42053ZIP 42087ZIP 42056ZIP 42024ZIP 42022ZIP 42060
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →