CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Owsley County

Kentucky · 4,051 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 $29,406. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 807 residents. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $67,400. With a median age of 45.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 44% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 45.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,051
−17%since 2000
from 4,858 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
21 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 25 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.1
+18%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K5K1990201020202024Owsley County
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$29,406
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $15,805 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,917
+76%since 2000
from $10,742 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.5%
+11.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
28.1%
−17.3 ptssince 2000
from 45.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Finance & insurance11.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade8.8%
US avg: 10%
Information7.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Professional, scientific, technical7.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade7%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing4.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services4.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$67,400
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$325
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $276 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.4%
−7.1 ptssince 2000
from 78.5% in 2000
28.6% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+5%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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(3,905)
Black0.3%(11)
Hispanic / Latino1%(42)
Asian0%(1)
Other2.9%(119)
Diversity Score10.3%(416)
Segregation Score19%(771)
Diversity Score
10
+376%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
19
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.5%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
69.1%
+19.9 ptssince 2000
from 49.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.6 min
+54%since 2000
from 21.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.0%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 17.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
37.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2011
from 33.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.7%
−22.9 ptssince 2009
from 57.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.5%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
56.5%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.0%
−76.3 ptssince 2013
from 80.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+28%
Home value$83,900+24%
Population7,297+86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Clay County
Income$40,900+39%
Home value$90,700+35%
Population19,465+395%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Jackson County
Income$40,000+36%
Home value$111,500+65%
Population13,325+239%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OWSLEY COUNTY VS
Breathitt County
Income$34,808+18%
Home value$70,300+4%
Population12,558+219%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Owsley County, Kentucky?

Owsley County, Kentucky has about 4,051 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Owsley County, Kentucky earns about $29,406 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 $67,400, and the typical rent is about $325 a month.

How educated are people in Owsley County, Kentucky?

About 14.5% 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 28.1% 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 985 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.

Keep going

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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