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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Russell County

Kentucky · 17,991 residents · 253.272 sq mi
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The short version

Russell County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,731. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 15% 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 $99,000. The poverty rate of 21.6% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,991
+10%since 2000
from 16,315 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
71 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 64 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.8
+10%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K15K16K18K19K1990201020202024Russell County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,731
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,042 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,956
+74%since 2000
from $13,183 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.5%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.6%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 24.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22.3%
US avg: 10%
Information14%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$99,000
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$571
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $313 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.8%
−7.7 ptssince 2000
from 79.5% in 2000
28.2% rent
Afford Score
2.4
−3%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Russell County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.7%(15,942)
Black0.6%(92)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(140)
Asian0.1%(23)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.9%(635)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.7%(16,497)
Black0.6%(113)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(781)
Asian0.6%(104)
Other1.3%(239)
Diversity Score16.6%(2,978)
Segregation Score32%(5,754)
Diversity Score
17
+325%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
32
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.5%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.5%
+19.7 ptssince 2000
from 61.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
+28%since 2000
from 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.5%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 82.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.4%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 8.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2011
from 53.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.6%
−30.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
51.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.3%
−73.5 ptssince 2013
from 79.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Russell County

Butler County
Pop 18,100
Sharp County
Pop 18,122
Crisp County
Pop 19,237
Marengo County
Pop 18,311
Places similar to Russell County
Head to head

Compare Russell County to nearby counties

RUSSELL COUNTY VS
Adair County
Income$53,553+28%
Home value$150,800+52%
Population19,423+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSSELL COUNTY VS
Wayne County
Income$45,739+10%
Home value$135,700+37%
Population19,597+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSSELL COUNTY VS
Clinton County
Income$44,844+7%
Home value$122,200+23%
Population9,139−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSSELL COUNTY VS
Cumberland County
Income$40,000−4%
Home value$141,100+43%
Population5,992−68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Russell County, Kentucky?

Russell County, Kentucky has about 17,991 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Russell County, Kentucky earns about $41,731 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Russell County, Kentucky expensive?

In Russell County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $99,000, and the typical rent is about $571 a month.

How educated are people in Russell County, Kentucky?

About 15.5% of adults age 25 and over in Russell County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Russell County, Kentucky?

About 21.6% of people in Russell County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Russell County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Russell County, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,275 residents, a change of about 22 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 9601.02Census Tract 9601.01Census Tract 9603Census Tract 9604Census Tract 9602
2 ZIP codes
ZIP 42642ZIP 42629
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →