Bracken County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Bracken County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 8,427. It is the 108th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bracken County is 42.0 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bracken County is $59,521. This is 5% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 25% 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 5.5%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $116,400. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Bracken County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bracken County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.

Education

17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower 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 88.2%.