Berea, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Berea, Kentucky had a total population of 15,786, the 29th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $59,495, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Berea Quick Facts
How Berea 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 | 15,557 | 15,786 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $56,484 | $59,495 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $178,000 | $199,900 | +12.3% |
How Berea 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+)
Berea Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 37,111 | $50,870 | 19.5% | $214,900 |
Cities Similar to Berea
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shively | 15,638 | $50,221 | $154,700 | 13.9% | 14.7% |
| Newport | 13,967 | $60,853 | $217,600 | 36.3% | 20.8% |
| Danville | 17,327 | $52,646 | $207,600 | 26.5% | 17.4% |
| Shepherdsville | 14,533 | $71,476 | $222,100 | 16.8% | 21.5% |
| Glasgow | 15,197 | $43,074 | $173,900 | 22.4% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Berea is a small city located in Kentucky, within Madison County. The total population is 15,786. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Berea is 33.2 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Berea is $59,495. This is 7% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $199,900. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 58.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Berea has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% 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 85.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Berea, 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 Berea, Kentucky?
Berea, Kentucky has a population of 15,786 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Berea, KY?
The median household income in Berea is $59,495, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Berea, KY?
The poverty rate in Berea is 17.8%. This means approximately 2,551 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Berea, Kentucky?
Berea's population is 87.6% White, 3.0% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Berea, KY?
The median home value in Berea is $199,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Berea, Kentucky?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Berea hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.