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COUNTY

Mercer County

Kentucky · 23,733 residents (2025 est.) · 249.383 sq mi
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The short version

Mercer County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $64,824. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $202,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,028
+11%since 2000
from 20,817 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
92 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 83 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.9
+12%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:23,733 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
19K20K21K22K23K1990201020202024Mercer County
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$64,824
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,555 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,683
+87%since 2000
from $17,972 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.1%
+20.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 12.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.415
−3%since 2010
from 0.427 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance8%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical6.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration5.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction4.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$202,300
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $85,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$831
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
24.1% rent
Vacancy rate
12.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.7%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 35.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
+31%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
39
RELATED:See current rent listings in Mercer County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.4%(19,448)
Black3.6%(757)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(265)
Asian0.5%(97)
Other0%
Diversity Score13%(2,714)
Segregation Score0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic90%(20,716)
Black3.1%(722)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(779)
Asian0.2%(43)
Other3.3%(768)
Diversity Score23.4%(5,396)
Segregation Score21.4%(4,938)
Diversity Score
23
+80%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
21
+37%since 2020
from 16 in 2020
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.9%
+11.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.0%
+16.3 ptssince 2000
from 75.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.2%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.2 min
+48%since 2000
from 18.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.1%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 81.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.2%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.9%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% 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
4.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
−6.6 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.0%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 63.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.9%
−22.8 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
49.2%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.3%
−40.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.9%
−3.8 ptssince 2012
from 18.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.0%
−81.5 ptssince 2013
from 86.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.8%
+16.1 ptssince 2017
from 70.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2016
from 96.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 1.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Mercer County

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Pop 21,773
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Pop 26,678
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Pop 26,150
Del Norte County
Pop 26,410
Places similar to Mercer County
Head to head

Compare Mercer County to nearby counties

MERCER COUNTY VS
Boyle County
Income$61,159−6%
Home value$209,900+4%
Population31,632+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Anderson County
Income$74,488+15%
Home value$225,100+11%
Population25,225+6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Washington County
Income$61,616−5%
Home value$179,200−11%
Population12,368−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Jessamine County
Income$74,576+15%
Home value$268,100+33%
Population57,147+141%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Mercer County, Kentucky?

Mercer County, Kentucky has about 23,028 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Mercer County, Kentucky earns about $64,824 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Mercer County, Kentucky expensive?

In Mercer County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $202,300, and the typical rent is about $831 a month.

How educated are people in Mercer County, Kentucky?

About 24.9% of adults age 25 and over in Mercer County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Mercer County, Kentucky?

About 10.7% of people in Mercer County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Mercer County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Mercer County, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,880 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9604Census Tract 9601Census Tract 9603Census Tract 9605
3 ZIP codes
ZIP 40330ZIP 40372ZIP 40310
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →