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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Mercer County

Kentucky · 20,817 residents · 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 $35,555. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has more than doubled since 1990, reaching $85,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.2
US median: 35.2
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,817
+9%since 1990
from 19,148 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
83 / sq mi
+9%since 1990
from 77 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
38.2
+7%since 1990
from 35.8 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K20K21K22K23K1990201020202024Mercer County
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,555
+18%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $22,774 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,972
+66%since 1990
from $10,821 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
12.9%
−3.8 ptssince 1990
from 16.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$85,000
+39%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $46,300 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$411
+8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $290 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
74.6%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 72.8% in 1990
25.4% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+18%since 1990
from 2.0 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Mercer County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic95.5%(18,291)
Black4%(766)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(94)
Asian0.4%(68)
Diversity Score11.8%(2,269)
2000
White, non-Hispanic93.4%(19,448)
Black3.6%(757)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(265)
Asian0.5%(97)
Diversity Score13%(2,714)
Diversity Score
13
+10%since 1990
from 12 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.5%
+4.6 ptssince 1990
from 8.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
75.8%
+13.0 ptssince 1990
from 62.8% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
4.9%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 3.1% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.4 min
−26%since 1990
from 25.0 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Mercer County

Gem County
Pop 21,773
Montezuma County
Pop 26,678
Iroquois County
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+72%
Home value$209,900+147%
Population31,632+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Anderson County
Income$74,488+110%
Home value$225,100+165%
Population25,225+6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Washington County
Income$61,616+73%
Home value$179,200+111%
Population12,368−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Jessamine County
Income$74,576+110%
Home value$268,100+215%
Population57,147+141%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Mercer County, Kentucky?

Mercer County, Kentucky has about 20,817 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Mercer County, Kentucky earns about $35,555 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 $85,000, and the typical rent is about $411 a month.

How educated are people in Mercer County, Kentucky?

About 13.5% 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 12.9% 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 1,669 residents, a change of about 9 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

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