Ashland, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ashland, Kentucky had a total population of 21,295, the 18th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $52,715, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Ashland Quick Facts
How Ashland Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,405 | 21,295 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $52,199 | $52,715 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $125,300 | $125,000 | -0.2% |
How Ashland Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ashland Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Boyd County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westwood | 4,473 | $73,511 | 9.6% | $92,200 |
| Catlettsburg | 1,557 | $38,276 | 20.1% | $82,500 |
| Cannonsburg | 1,129 | $76,450 | 11.4% | $179,900 |
| Ironville | 411 | $36,856 | 16.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ashland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madisonville | 19,515 | $53,860 | $164,100 | 23.6% | 23.3% |
| Winchester | 19,213 | $54,378 | $188,300 | 22.4% | 17.3% |
| Radcliff | 22,864 | $58,559 | $169,600 | 18.3% | 16.0% |
| Danville | 17,327 | $52,646 | $207,600 | 26.5% | 17.4% |
| Erlanger | 19,875 | $75,840 | $209,000 | 32.0% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
Ashland is a small city located in Kentucky, within Boyd County. The total population is 21,295. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ashland is 40.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ashland is $52,715. This is 17% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.4%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 59% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $125,000. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Ashland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ashland has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
24.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ashland, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ashland, Kentucky?
Ashland, Kentucky has a population of 21,295 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ashland, KY?
The median household income in Ashland is $52,715, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ashland, KY?
The poverty rate in Ashland is 22.4%. This means approximately 4,725 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ashland, Kentucky?
Ashland's population is 91.2% White, 2.0% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ashland, KY?
The median home value in Ashland is $125,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Ashland, Kentucky?
24.8% of adults (25+) in Ashland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.