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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Owsley County

Kentucky · 4,755 residents · 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 $19,351. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $68,500. With a median age of 42.2, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 53% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.2
US median: 37.2
Less educated
6% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 57%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,755
−2%since 2000
from 4,858 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
24 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 25 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.2
+10%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K5K1990201020202024Owsley County
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$19,351
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $15,805 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$10,767
Unchangedsince 2000
from $10,742 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
10.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
41.5%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 45.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.499
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Wholesale trade16.9%
US avg: 7.2%
Information14%
US avg: 11.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 7%
Manufacturing2.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Retail trade2.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Construction2.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance1.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$68,500
+57%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$371
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $276 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
28.0%
−50.5 ptssince 2000
from 78.5% in 2000
27.0% rent
Vacancy rate
29.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 27.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
31.7%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 27.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
32.4%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 27.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.5
+62%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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%
Diversity Score2.2%(105)
2010
White, non-Hispanic98%(4,659)
Black0.3%(13)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(39)
Asian0%(2)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score2.8%(135)
Diversity Score
3
+31%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
5.9%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
57.7%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 49.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
2.9%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.2 min
−15%since 2000
from 21.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
77.0%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
8.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
8.8%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% 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
9.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
22.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
22.4%
−35.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.6% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
50.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
10.8%
−39.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Owsley County

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Pop 6,156
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Pop 4,631
Wolfe County
Pop 6,298
Greene County
Pop 7,067
Places similar to Owsley County
Head to head

Compare Owsley County to nearby counties

OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Lee County
Income$37,568+94%
Home value$83,900+22%
Population7,297+86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Clay County
Income$40,900+111%
Home value$90,700+32%
Population19,465+395%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Jackson County
Income$40,000+107%
Home value$111,500+63%
Population13,325+239%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Breathitt County
Income$34,808+80%
Home value$70,300+3%
Population12,558+219%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Owsley County, Kentucky?

Owsley County, Kentucky has about 4,755 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Owsley County, Kentucky earns about $19,351 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 $68,500, and the typical rent is about $371 a month.

How educated are people in Owsley County, Kentucky?

About 5.9% 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 41.5% 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 281 residents, a change of about -6 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

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