Frankfort, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Frankfort, Kentucky had a total population of 28,503, the 14th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $53,073, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Frankfort Quick Facts
How Frankfort 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 | 28,452 | 28,503 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $54,438 | $53,073 | -2.5% |
| Median home value | $171,600 | $183,700 | +7.1% |
How Frankfort 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Frankfort Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Frankfort
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson | 27,852 | $48,186 | $160,100 | 19.4% | 18.7% |
| Paducah | 26,845 | $49,915 | $165,300 | 28.8% | 22.3% |
| Hopkinsville | 30,906 | $49,139 | $172,100 | 23.3% | 19.3% |
| Elizabethtown | 32,576 | $60,760 | $245,900 | 28.2% | 17.0% |
| Jeffersontown | 29,199 | $81,506 | $250,700 | 39.8% | 6.5% |
Population Overview
Frankfort is a mid-sized community located in Kentucky, within Franklin County. The total population is 28,503. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Frankfort is 35.3 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Frankfort is $53,073. This is 17% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $183,700. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 48.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Frankfort is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (14.2% vs 7.5%).
Education
28.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% higher 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 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Frankfort, 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 Frankfort, Kentucky?
Frankfort, Kentucky has a population of 28,503 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Frankfort, KY?
The median household income in Frankfort is $53,073, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Frankfort, KY?
The poverty rate in Frankfort is 19.1%. This means approximately 5,193 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Frankfort, Kentucky?
Frankfort's population is 72.0% White, 14.2% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Frankfort, KY?
The median home value in Frankfort is $183,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Frankfort, Kentucky?
28.4% of adults (25+) in Frankfort hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.