Skip to main content

Berea city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Berea city, Kentucky has a total population of 15,557, the 29th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $56,484, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.5%.

Berea city Quick Facts

Population 15,557
Median Household Income $56,484
Median Home Value $178,000
Poverty Rate 19.5%
Unemployment Rate 3.7%
Median Age 34.1 years
Homeownership Rate 57.3%
Affordability Ratio 3.2x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 27.0%
High School Graduation Rate 86.3%
Diversity Index 21/100
Population 15,557 29th of 552
Median Income $56,484 average
Poverty Rate 19.5% 57% higher national
Median Home Value $178,000 above average

How Berea city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
57.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 57.3%
Renter 42.7%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.2x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

21out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 31 | National average: 60

Education

Berea city Rankings in Kentucky

#29 Population of 552
#245 Median Income of 552
#173 Education of 552
#181 Home Value of 552

Explore Kentucky Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Berea city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Shively city15,556$46,522$139,20012.7%17.6%
Newport city14,039$58,422$221,10035.8%17.7%
Danville city17,235$53,370$202,20026.5%15.1%
Glasgow city15,141$42,417$147,70023.0%23.1%
Bardstown city13,673$49,781$190,80024.7%11.1%

Population Overview

Berea city is a small city located in Kentucky. The total population is 15,557. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Berea city is 34.1 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Berea city is $56,484. This is 10% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.5%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $178,000. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $192,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 57.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Berea city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%. The Black or African American population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

27.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about average 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 86.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Berea 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.

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 Berea city, Kentucky?

Berea city, Kentucky has a population of 15,557 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Berea city, KY?

The median household income in Berea city is $56,484, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Berea city, KY?

The poverty rate in Berea city is 19.5%. This means approximately 2,736 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Berea city, Kentucky?

Berea city's population is 88.4% White, 2.8% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in Berea city, KY?

The median home value in Berea city is $178,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.

How educated is Berea city, Kentucky?

27.0% of adults (25+) in Berea city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.