Barbourville, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Barbourville, Kentucky had a total population of 3,146, the 119th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $22,046, which is 65% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 51.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 65% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (51.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.3x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Barbourville Quick Facts
How Barbourville 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 | 3,181 | 3,146 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $20,971 | $22,046 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $190,200 | $182,400 | -4.1% |
How Barbourville 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+)
Barbourville Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Knox County
Cities Similar to Barbourville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanton | 3,218 | $25,417 | $123,000 | 8.1% | 26.0% |
| Cave City | 2,730 | $27,589 | $116,700 | 6.8% | 29.8% |
| Prestonsburg | 3,765 | $25,746 | $161,300 | 18.8% | 45.3% |
| Grayson | 3,778 | $27,542 | $136,900 | 18.7% | 37.9% |
| Flemingsburg | 2,965 | $35,493 | $132,800 | 21.7% | 34.3% |
Population Overview
Barbourville is a small community located in Kentucky, within Knox County. The total population is 3,146. It ranks as the 119th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Barbourville is 34.7 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. 14.5% 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 is $22,046. This is 65% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 73% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 51.8%. This is 223% 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 8.6%. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $182,400. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Barbourville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 5.4%.
Education
27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% higher 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 74.6%. Notably, 18.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Barbourville, 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 Barbourville, Kentucky?
Barbourville, Kentucky has a population of 3,146 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Barbourville, KY?
The median household income in Barbourville is $22,046, which is 73% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Barbourville, KY?
The poverty rate in Barbourville is 51.8%. This means approximately 1,349 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Barbourville, Kentucky?
Barbourville's population is 88.4% White, 5.4% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Barbourville, KY?
The median home value in Barbourville is $182,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.3x.
How educated is Barbourville, Kentucky?
27.9% of adults (25+) in Barbourville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.