Dayton, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dayton, Kentucky had a total population of 5,743, the 80th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $65,992, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Dayton Quick Facts
How Dayton 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 | 5,703 | 5,743 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $62,500 | $65,992 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $144,100 | $163,500 | +13.5% |
How Dayton 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+)
Dayton Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Campbell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Thomas | 17,169 | $104,350 | 6.2% | $335,000 |
| Newport | 13,967 | $60,853 | 20.8% | $217,600 |
| Alexandria | 10,562 | $102,239 | 7.7% | $284,800 |
| Highland Heights | 6,444 | $53,275 | 19.9% | $169,700 |
| Cold Spring | 6,341 | $75,000 | 9.9% | $253,600 |
| Bellevue | 5,636 | $71,166 | 11.4% | $206,500 |
| Southgate | 3,717 | $54,421 | 19.8% | $190,800 |
| Claryville | 3,251 | $81,458 | 1.2% | $278,200 |
| Wilder | 3,135 | $70,893 | 18.6% | $159,900 |
| Silver Grove | 1,008 | $46,595 | 7.5% | $107,700 |
Cities Similar to Dayton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | 5,636 | $71,166 | $206,500 | 43.5% | 11.4% |
| Walton | 5,730 | $77,917 | $262,200 | 32.6% | 13.0% |
| Douglass Hills | 5,474 | $78,482 | $346,300 | 60.1% | 6.4% |
| Wilmore | 6,057 | $77,665 | $248,900 | 49.6% | 12.5% |
| Central City | 5,707 | $50,885 | $143,600 | 5.7% | 25.6% |
Population Overview
Dayton is a small city located in Kentucky, within Campbell County. The total population is 5,743. It ranks as the 80th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dayton is 39.6 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dayton is $65,992. This is 4% higher than the state median of $63,726. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 1% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $163,500. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Dayton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dayton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
22.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dayton, 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 Dayton, Kentucky?
Dayton, Kentucky has a population of 5,743 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dayton, KY?
The median household income in Dayton is $65,992, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dayton, KY?
The poverty rate in Dayton is 15.9%. This means approximately 904 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dayton, Kentucky?
Dayton's population is 88.8% White, 1.6% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dayton, KY?
The median home value in Dayton is $163,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Dayton, Kentucky?
22.9% of adults (25+) in Dayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.