Catlettsburg, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Catlettsburg, Kentucky had a total population of 1,557, the 198th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $38,276, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 5.2% 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 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.8% is notably above the national average.
Catlettsburg Quick Facts
How Catlettsburg 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 | 1,672 | 1,557 | -6.9% |
| Median household income | $34,524 | $38,276 | +10.9% |
| Median home value | $71,400 | $82,500 | +15.5% |
How Catlettsburg 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+)
Catlettsburg Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Boyd County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland | 21,295 | $52,715 | 22.4% | $125,000 |
| Westwood | 4,473 | $73,511 | 9.6% | $92,200 |
| Cannonsburg | 1,129 | $76,450 | 11.4% | $179,900 |
| Ironville | 411 | $36,856 | 16.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Catlettsburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guthrie | 1,559 | $35,952 | $134,200 | 11.1% | 33.0% |
| Owingsville | 1,621 | $40,053 | $118,300 | 17.4% | 17.8% |
| Taylorsville | 1,496 | $43,259 | $164,200 | 11.1% | 28.7% |
| Burkesville | 1,454 | $34,444 | $117,300 | 5.9% | 28.9% |
| Brodhead | 1,423 | $35,333 | $150,200 | 19.9% | 29.1% |
Population Overview
Catlettsburg is a small community located in Kentucky, within Boyd County. The total population is 1,557. It ranks as the 198th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Catlettsburg is 49.6 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.6% 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 Catlettsburg is $38,276. This is 40% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. 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 9.8%. This is 100% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $82,500. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Catlettsburg is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Catlettsburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 7.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
5.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% 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 82.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Catlettsburg, 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 Catlettsburg, Kentucky?
Catlettsburg, Kentucky has a population of 1,557 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Catlettsburg, KY?
The median household income in Catlettsburg is $38,276, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Catlettsburg, KY?
The poverty rate in Catlettsburg is 20.1%. This means approximately 259 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Catlettsburg, Kentucky?
Catlettsburg's population is 88.4% White, 7.4% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Catlettsburg, KY?
The median home value in Catlettsburg is $82,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Catlettsburg, Kentucky?
5.2% of adults (25+) in Catlettsburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.