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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Spencer County

Kentucky · 19,490 residents · 186.67 sq mi
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The short version

Spencer County is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $85,488. The county has grown rapidly, with population up 66% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $227,000. Households here earn about 64% more than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,490
+66%since 2000
from 11,766 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
104 / sq mi
+66%since 2000
from 63 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.8
+19%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K9K13K18K22K1990201020202024Spencer County
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$85,488
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,042 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,209
+77%since 2000
from $19,848 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
56.9%
+20.5 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.4%
US avg: 10%
Information11.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services7.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance7.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration7%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical6.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$227,000
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $114,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$726
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $426 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
85.7%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 82.6% in 2000
14.3% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+9%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Spencer County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.7%(11,377)
Black1.1%(132)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(132)
Asian0.1%(10)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.8%(680)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.1%(17,764)
Black1.5%(297)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(450)
Asian0.5%(90)
Other1.7%(328)
Diversity Score14.8%(2,879)
Segregation Score15.8%(3,081)
Diversity Score
15
+156%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
16
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.4%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+17.3 ptssince 2000
from 75.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.4 min
+43%since 2000
from 22.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
−4.8 ptssince 2011
from 9.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.9%
−3.0 ptssince 2011
from 70.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.0%
−23.0 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
49.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.8%
−87.6 ptssince 2013
from 91.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Spencer County

Park County
Pop 18,314
Pitkin County
Pop 16,625
Routt County
Pop 25,329
Pike County
Pop 20,932
Places similar to Spencer County
Head to head

Compare Spencer County to nearby counties

SPENCER COUNTY VS
Shelby County
Income$82,604−3%
Home value$304,800+34%
Population51,243+144%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER COUNTY VS
Nelson County
Income$69,562−19%
Home value$238,000+5%
Population49,036+134%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER COUNTY VS
Anderson County
Income$74,488−13%
Home value$225,100−1%
Population25,225+20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SPENCER COUNTY VS
Washington County
Income$61,616−28%
Home value$179,200−21%
Population12,368−41%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Spencer County, Kentucky?

Spencer County, Kentucky has about 19,490 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Spencer County, Kentucky earns about $85,488 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Spencer County, Kentucky expensive?

In Spencer County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $227,000, and the typical rent is about $726 a month.

How educated are people in Spencer County, Kentucky?

About 21.4% of adults age 25 and over in Spencer County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Spencer County, Kentucky?

About 8.2% of people in Spencer County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Spencer County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Spencer County, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 12,689 residents, a change of about 187 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 801.02Census Tract 802Census Tract 801.01Census Tract 801.03
2 ZIP codes
ZIP 40071ZIP 40046
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →