Carlisle, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carlisle, Kentucky had a total population of 2,214, the 156th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $49,201, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 7.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Carlisle Quick Facts
How Carlisle 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 | 2,356 | 2,214 | -6.0% |
| Median household income | $46,292 | $49,201 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $103,300 | $101,500 | -1.7% |
How Carlisle 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+)
Carlisle Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Carlisle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Corbin | 2,190 | $51,447 | $157,700 | 12.5% | 34.0% |
| Horse Cave | 2,143 | $51,118 | $113,700 | 8.9% | 34.8% |
| Edmonton | 2,330 | $51,272 | $104,000 | 6.6% | 26.5% |
| Raceland | 2,265 | $57,222 | $128,400 | 20.7% | 23.2% |
| Lebanon Junction | 2,327 | $54,778 | $156,000 | 11.1% | 19.7% |
Population Overview
Carlisle is a small community located in Kentucky, within Nicholas County. The total population is 2,214. It ranks as the 156th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carlisle is 49.0 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carlisle is $49,201. This is 23% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $101,500. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Carlisle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carlisle has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%.
Education
7.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 88.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carlisle, 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 Carlisle, Kentucky?
Carlisle, Kentucky has a population of 2,214 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carlisle, KY?
The median household income in Carlisle is $49,201, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carlisle, KY?
The poverty rate in Carlisle is 14.8%. This means approximately 316 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carlisle, Kentucky?
Carlisle's population is 89.3% White, 4.1% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carlisle, KY?
The median home value in Carlisle is $101,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Carlisle, Kentucky?
7.0% of adults (25+) in Carlisle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.