Beattyville, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Beattyville, Kentucky had a total population of 2,095, the 163rd largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $22,880, which is 64% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 42.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 64% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (42.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 14.4% is notably above the national average.
Beattyville Quick Facts
How Beattyville 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 | 1,948 | 2,095 | +7.5% |
| Median household income | $23,750 | $22,880 | -3.7% |
| Median home value | $106,800 | $113,600 | +6.4% |
How Beattyville 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+)
Beattyville Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Beattyville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pineville | 2,064 | $24,547 | $98,700 | 19.8% | 34.0% |
| Harlan | 2,160 | $32,408 | $89,200 | 26.3% | 33.1% |
| Hickman | 2,115 | $34,653 | $70,800 | 15.8% | 31.6% |
| Jackson | 2,015 | $32,683 | $77,500 | 13.7% | 27.1% |
| Jamestown | 1,739 | $20,541 | $121,800 | 7.5% | 44.4% |
Population Overview
Beattyville is a small community located in Kentucky, within Lee County. The total population is 2,095. It ranks as the 163rd most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Beattyville is 37.3 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 11.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Beattyville is $22,880. This is 64% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 72% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 42.2%. This is 163% 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 14.4%. This is 197% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $113,600. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 37.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Beattyville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.1%.
Education
4.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 84% 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 65.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Beattyville, 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.
Free data download: Get all Kentucky city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Beattyville, Kentucky?
Beattyville, Kentucky has a population of 2,095 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Beattyville, KY?
The median household income in Beattyville is $22,880, which is 72% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Beattyville, KY?
The poverty rate in Beattyville is 42.2%. This means approximately 423 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Beattyville, Kentucky?
Beattyville's population is 84.3% White, 8.1% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Beattyville, KY?
The median home value in Beattyville is $113,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Beattyville, Kentucky?
4.4% of adults (25+) in Beattyville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.