Elsmere, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elsmere, Kentucky had a total population of 9,205, the 50th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $60,503, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elsmere Quick Facts
How Elsmere 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 | 9,151 | 9,205 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $61,427 | $60,503 | -1.5% |
| Median home value | $157,200 | $171,900 | +9.4% |
How Elsmere 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+)
Elsmere Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Kenton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covington | 41,110 | $61,166 | 20.8% | $187,300 |
| Independence | 29,392 | $102,361 | 8.8% | $263,700 |
| Erlanger | 19,875 | $75,840 | 13.7% | $209,000 |
| Fort Mitchell | 8,713 | $86,310 | 8.1% | $357,100 |
| Edgewood | 8,447 | $119,028 | 3.8% | $312,200 |
| Villa Hills | 7,480 | $107,859 | 3.7% | $362,500 |
| Taylor Mill | 6,937 | $88,546 | 10.9% | $241,000 |
| Fort Wright | 5,887 | $105,024 | 3.0% | $328,900 |
| Walton | 5,730 | $77,917 | 13.0% | $262,200 |
| Crescent Springs | 4,486 | $83,066 | 5.4% | $302,100 |
Cities Similar to Elsmere
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillview | 8,797 | $68,111 | $186,300 | 18.6% | 11.2% |
| Harrodsburg | 9,313 | $48,381 | $154,200 | 21.0% | 14.5% |
| Franklin | 10,360 | $59,052 | $195,400 | 15.5% | 17.1% |
| Paris | 10,160 | $55,839 | $186,300 | 25.0% | 16.9% |
| Versailles | 10,492 | $62,368 | $286,100 | 36.7% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Elsmere is a small city located in Kentucky, within Kenton County. The total population is 9,205. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elsmere is 30.6 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elsmere is $60,503. This is 5% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $171,900. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Elsmere is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elsmere is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.3%. The Black or African American population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.7% vs 1.6%).
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% 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 Elsmere, 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 Elsmere, Kentucky?
Elsmere, Kentucky has a population of 9,205 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elsmere, KY?
The median household income in Elsmere is $60,503, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elsmere, KY?
The poverty rate in Elsmere is 15.6%. This means approximately 1,416 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elsmere, Kentucky?
Elsmere's population is 80.0% White, 3.3% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elsmere, KY?
The median home value in Elsmere is $171,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Elsmere, Kentucky?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Elsmere hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.