Emlyn, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Emlyn, Kentucky had a total population of 488, the 350th largest community in Kentucky, with a median household income of $54,423, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.6%.
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 2.4x.
Emlyn Quick Facts
How Emlyn 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 | 527 | 488 | -7.4% |
| Median household income | $59,911 | $54,423 | -9.2% |
| Median home value | $152,700 | $131,700 | -13.8% |
How Emlyn 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+)
Emlyn Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Whitley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsburg | 5,270 | $38,147 | 30.9% | $113,300 |
| Pleasant View | 241 | $46,020 | 24.9% | $106,300 |
| Rockholds | 130 | $31,025 | 6.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Emlyn
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayking | 503 | N/A | $67,100 | 4.0% | 41.9% |
| Symsonia | 473 | N/A | $264,800 | 44.4% | 21.8% |
| South Williamson | 472 | $56,484 | $169,800 | 14.4% | 23.7% |
| Sandy Hook | 456 | N/A | $132,100 | 11.4% | 45.1% |
| Stanley | 448 | N/A | $518,600 | 0.0% | 3.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 488, Emlyn'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
Emlyn is a small community located in Kentucky, within Whitley County. The total population is 488. It ranks as the 350th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Emlyn is 28.6 years. This is 27% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 44.7% of the population under 18, Emlyn has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Emlyn is $54,423. This is 15% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.6%. This is 47% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Emlyn, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $131,700. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Emlyn is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Emlyn has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.5% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.5% vs 1.6%).
Education
19.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Emlyn, 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 Emlyn, Kentucky?
Emlyn, Kentucky has a population of 488 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Emlyn, KY?
The median household income in Emlyn is $54,423, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Emlyn, KY?
The poverty rate in Emlyn is 23.6%. This means approximately 115 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Emlyn, Kentucky?
Emlyn's population is 96.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Emlyn, KY?
The median home value in Emlyn is $131,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Emlyn, Kentucky?
19.6% of adults (25+) in Emlyn hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.