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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Mercer County

Kentucky · 21,331 residents · 249.383 sq mi
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The short version

Mercer County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $47,955. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $129,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 41.7
US median: 37.2
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,331
+2%since 2000
from 20,817 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
86 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 83 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.7
+9%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K20K21K22K23K1990201020202024Mercer County
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,955
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,555 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,645
+32%since 2000
from $17,972 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
24.4%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 22.9% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
12.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 12.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.427
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade22%
US avg: 10.9%
Information12%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade8.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Construction2.6%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$129,400
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $85,000 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$542
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
47.4%
−27.2 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
26.3% rent
Vacancy rate
14.5%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
20.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.1%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 35.6% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.7
+13%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic92%(19,614)
Black3.5%(751)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(490)
Asian0.4%(76)
Other1.5%(317)
Diversity Score18.2%(3,889)
Diversity Score
18
+40%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
82.3%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
7.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.6 min
+34%since 2000
from 18.4 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
82.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 81.3% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
14.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
0.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
4.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
31.5%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
10.1%
−37.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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+28%
Home value$209,900+62%
Population31,632+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Anderson County
Income$74,488+55%
Home value$225,100+74%
Population25,225+6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Washington County
Income$61,616+28%
Home value$179,200+38%
Population12,368−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MERCER COUNTY VS
Jessamine County
Income$74,576+56%
Home value$268,100+107%
Population57,147+141%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Mercer County, Kentucky?

Mercer County, Kentucky has about 21,331 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Mercer County, Kentucky earns about $47,955 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 $129,400, and the typical rent is about $542 a month.

How educated are people in Mercer County, Kentucky?

About 17.0% 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 12.4% 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 2,183 residents, a change of about 11 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 →