Cave City, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cave City, Kentucky had a total population of 2,730, the 134th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $27,589, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Cave City Quick Facts
How Cave City 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 | 2,545 | 2,730 | +7.3% |
| Median household income | $33,672 | $27,589 | -18.1% |
| Median home value | $108,100 | $116,700 | +8.0% |
How Cave City 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+)
Cave City Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Barren County
Cities Similar to Cave City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Springs | 2,773 | $38,697 | $170,300 | 28.1% | 28.3% |
| Stanton | 3,218 | $25,417 | $123,000 | 8.1% | 26.0% |
| Flemingsburg | 2,965 | $35,493 | $132,800 | 21.7% | 34.3% |
| Eminence | 2,724 | $41,734 | $192,600 | 8.3% | 26.6% |
| Tompkinsville | 2,613 | $38,628 | $99,000 | 10.9% | 27.3% |
Population Overview
Cave City is a small community located in Kentucky, within Barren County. The total population is 2,730. It ranks as the 134th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cave City is 32.8 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cave City is $27,589. This is 57% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 66% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.8%. This is 86% 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 7.1%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $116,700. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 36.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cave City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.9%. The Black or African American population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 7.5%.
Education
6.8% 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 74.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cave City, 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 Cave City, Kentucky?
Cave City, Kentucky has a population of 2,730 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cave City, KY?
The median household income in Cave City is $27,589, which is 66% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cave City, KY?
The poverty rate in Cave City is 29.8%. This means approximately 806 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cave City, Kentucky?
Cave City's population is 83.6% White, 3.7% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cave City, KY?
The median home value in Cave City is $116,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Cave City, Kentucky?
6.8% of adults (25+) in Cave City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.