Elkhorn City, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elkhorn City, Kentucky had a total population of 846, the 266th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $44,000, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 17.6% is notably above the national average.
Elkhorn City Quick Facts
How Elkhorn 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 | 911 | 846 | -7.1% |
| Median household income | $58,021 | $44,000 | -24.2% |
| Median home value | $105,100 | $116,700 | +11.0% |
How Elkhorn 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+)
Elkhorn City Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Pike County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pikeville | 7,490 | $39,955 | 27.1% | $263,800 |
| Coal Run Village | 1,724 | $52,750 | 26.3% | $132,400 |
| South Williamson | 472 | $56,484 | 23.7% | $169,800 |
| Virgie | 424 | N/A | 38.9% | $209,200 |
| Phelps | 301 | N/A | 36.5% | $102,700 |
| McCarr | 265 | $37,043 | 13.6% | N/A |
| Belfry | 118 | N/A | 0.0% | $163,900 |
| Freeburn | 91 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Elkhorn City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uniontown | 874 | $43,857 | $61,900 | 3.0% | 13.3% |
| Ferguson | 849 | $40,500 | $153,100 | 13.7% | 34.1% |
| Millersburg | 819 | $41,685 | $97,300 | 14.8% | 30.6% |
| Camargo | 874 | $47,625 | $151,400 | 8.2% | 26.7% |
| Greenup | 813 | $40,313 | $143,000 | 15.1% | 15.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 846, Elkhorn City's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Elkhorn City is a small community located in Kentucky, within Pike County. The total population is 846. It ranks as the 266th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elkhorn City is 53.3 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 8.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elkhorn City is $44,000. This is 31% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 30% 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 17.6%. This is 261% 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. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Elkhorn City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elkhorn City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.1% of all residents.
Education
25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 84.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elkhorn 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 Elkhorn City, Kentucky?
Elkhorn City, Kentucky has a population of 846 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elkhorn City, KY?
The median household income in Elkhorn City is $44,000, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elkhorn City, KY?
The poverty rate in Elkhorn City is 20.8%. This means approximately 159 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elkhorn City, Kentucky?
Elkhorn City's population is 98.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elkhorn City, KY?
The median home value in Elkhorn City is $116,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Elkhorn City, Kentucky?
25.0% of adults (25+) in Elkhorn City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.