Barbourville city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Barbourville city is a small community located in Kentucky. The total population is 3,181. It ranks as the 118th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Barbourville city is 34.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. 14.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Barbourville city is $20,971. This is 66% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 73% lower. The poverty rate stands at 48.9%. This is 203% 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 4.5%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $190,200. Housing costs are 1% lower than the state median of $192,300. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Barbourville city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.

Education

22.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Barbourville city, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.