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COUNTY

Owsley County

Kentucky · 3,932 residents (2025 est.) · 197.402 sq mi
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The short version

Owsley County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $22,188. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 887 residents. 7% 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 $80,100. With a median age of 47.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It falls in the bottom 5% of US counties for household income.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,971
−18%since 2000
from 4,858 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
20 / sq mi
−15%since 2009
from 24 / sq mi in 2009
US average: 281
Median age
47.7
+25%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,932 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K5K1990201020202024Owsley County
20244K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 57.3%(289)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 94.4%(176)
US avg: 6%
10 to 144.3%(170)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 195.1%(202)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 244.3%(171)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 3412.4%(491)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 448.1%(323)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 5413.9%(551)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6419.7%(782)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7414.8%(589)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 843.7%(148)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over2%(79)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$22,188
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $15,805 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,731
+74%since 2000
from $10,742 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
14.8%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
36.1%
−9.2 ptssince 2000
from 45.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.562
+13%since 2010
from 0.499 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance9.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade7.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services4.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$80,100
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$448
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $276 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.1%
−8.3 ptssince 2000
from 78.5% in 2000
29.9% rent
Vacancy rate
23.6%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 27.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.9%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 27.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.1%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 27.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+7%since 2009
from 3.4 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
4
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Owsley County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(4,785)
Black0.1%(5)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(35)
Asian0%(2)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.5%(3,791)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.1%(3)
Asian0.2%(7)
Other4.3%(170)
Diversity Score
11
+1921%since 2009
from 1 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Segregation Score
43
+127%since 2020
from 19 in 2020
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means White and non-White residents are more separated across neighborhoods.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican0.1%(3)
Asian origin
Chinese0.2%(7)
Ancestry
American36.8%(1,460)
English25.1%(995)
Irish7.1%(280)
German4.5%(180)
Polish0.7%(29)
Greek0.3%(11)
Czech0.3%(10)
Italian0.3%(10)
Scottish0.3%(10)
French0.1%(4)
Dutch0.1%(2)
RANKED:Largest American population · Largest English population · Largest Irish population · Largest German population · Largest Polish population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
70.4%
+21.2 ptssince 2000
from 49.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.5 min
+48%since 2000
from 21.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.8%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.5%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.6%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% 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
16.3%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.6%
−5.2 ptssince 2011
from 17.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
39.2%
+5.5 ptssince 2011
from 33.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.8%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 21.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
23.0%
−34.6 ptssince 2009
from 57.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
49.5%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.0%
−47.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
38.7%
+9.6 ptssince 2012
from 29.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.8%
−75.5 ptssince 2013
from 80.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
73.3%
+12.7 ptssince 2017
from 60.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 98.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married25.9%(410)
Married54%(853)
Widowed7.7%(122)
Divorced12.3%(195)
Women 15+
Never married21.8%(382)
Married39.5%(693)
Widowed19.4%(341)
Divorced19.4%(340)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Owsley County to nearby counties

OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Lee County
Income$37,568+69%
Home value$83,900+5%
Population7,297+86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Clay County
Income$40,900+84%
Home value$90,700+13%
Population19,465+395%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Jackson County
Income$40,000+80%
Home value$111,500+39%
Population13,325+239%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Breathitt County
Income$34,808+57%
Home value$70,300−12%
Population12,558+219%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Owsley County, Kentucky?

Owsley County, Kentucky has about 3,971 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Owsley County, Kentucky earns about $22,188 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Owsley County, Kentucky expensive?

In Owsley County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $80,100, and the typical rent is about $448 a month.

How educated are people in Owsley County, Kentucky?

About 7.1% of adults age 25 and over in Owsley County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Owsley County, Kentucky?

About 36.1% of people in Owsley County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Owsley County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Owsley County, Kentucky has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,065 residents, a change of about -21 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

2 census tracts
Census Tract 9301Census Tract 9302
5 ZIP codes
ZIP 41314ZIP 40983ZIP 41364ZIP 41386ZIP 41351
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Owsley County, Kentucky: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy