Cynthiana, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cynthiana, Kentucky had a total population of 6,458, the 70th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $54,647, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Cynthiana Quick Facts
How Cynthiana 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 | 6,412 | 6,458 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $49,817 | $54,647 | +9.7% |
| Median home value | $154,700 | $172,500 | +11.5% |
How Cynthiana 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+)
Cynthiana Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Harrison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berry | 253 | $68,854 | 13.4% | $99,300 |
Cities Similar to Cynthiana
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Heights | 6,444 | $53,275 | $169,700 | 40.7% | 19.9% |
| Lebanon | 6,430 | $45,479 | $149,700 | 11.7% | 25.6% |
| Princeton | 6,241 | $47,411 | $96,600 | 16.7% | 15.8% |
| Leitchfield | 6,819 | $44,347 | $159,100 | 12.4% | 24.3% |
| Central City | 5,707 | $50,885 | $143,600 | 5.7% | 25.6% |
Population Overview
Cynthiana is a small city located in Kentucky, within Harrison County. The total population is 6,458. It ranks as the 70th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cynthiana is 36.9 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cynthiana is $54,647. This is 14% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.5%. This is 90% 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 1.3%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $172,500. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 48.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cynthiana has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
15.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cynthiana, 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 Cynthiana, Kentucky?
Cynthiana, Kentucky has a population of 6,458 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cynthiana, KY?
The median household income in Cynthiana is $54,647, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cynthiana, KY?
The poverty rate in Cynthiana is 30.5%. This means approximately 1,935 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cynthiana, Kentucky?
Cynthiana's population is 90.1% White, 2.9% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cynthiana, KY?
The median home value in Cynthiana is $172,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Cynthiana, Kentucky?
15.4% of adults (25+) in Cynthiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.