Estill County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Estill County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 14,079. It is the 77th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Estill County is 44.3 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Estill County is $43,905. This is 30% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.0%. This is 36% 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 7.2%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $111,900. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Estill County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Estill County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.

Education

9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.1%.