Barlow, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Barlow, Kentucky had a total population of 564, the 335th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $27,054, which is 58% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 58% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Barlow Quick Facts
How Barlow 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 | 508 | 564 | +11.0% |
| Median household income | $30,069 | $27,054 | -10.0% |
| Median home value | $80,700 | $68,100 | -15.6% |
How Barlow 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+)
Barlow Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Ballard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wickliffe | 797 | $34,509 | 38.4% | $68,400 |
| La Center | 694 | $56,776 | 27.2% | $92,300 |
| Bandana | 311 | $96,691 | 0.0% | $126,300 |
| Blandville | 107 | $47,500 | 24.3% | $67,500 |
| Lovelaceville | 28 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Barlow
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McRoberts | 556 | N/A | $60,100 | 2.4% | 46.0% |
| Cawood | 596 | N/A | $69,800 | 33.7% | 6.4% |
| Summer Shade | 532 | N/A | $113,400 | 7.1% | 55.8% |
| Garrison | 552 | $29,500 | $66,600 | 11.4% | 54.0% |
| Betsy Layne | 557 | $31,838 | N/A | 16.5% | 34.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 564, Barlow's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Barlow is a small community located in Kentucky, within Ballard County. The total population is 564. It ranks as the 335th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Barlow is 32.3 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Barlow is $27,054. This is 58% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 66% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.9%. This is 130% 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 1.5%. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $68,100. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Barlow is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 47.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Barlow has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.4%.
Education
5.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 80% 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 86.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Barlow, 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 Barlow, Kentucky?
Barlow, Kentucky has a population of 564 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Barlow, KY?
The median household income in Barlow is $27,054, which is 66% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Barlow, KY?
The poverty rate in Barlow is 36.9%. This means approximately 208 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Barlow, Kentucky?
Barlow's population is 94.2% White, 4.4% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Barlow, KY?
The median home value in Barlow is $68,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Barlow, Kentucky?
5.6% of adults (25+) in Barlow hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.