Ghent, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ghent, Kentucky had a total population of 286, the 430th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $42,188, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Ghent Quick Facts
How Ghent 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 | 272 | 286 | +5.1% |
| Median household income | $50,694 | $42,188 | -16.8% |
| Median home value | $126,100 | $98,300 | -22.0% |
How Ghent 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+)
Ghent Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Carroll County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrollton | 3,915 | $45,871 | 22.8% | $113,200 |
| Sanders | 435 | $39,524 | 49.0% | N/A |
| Prestonville | 192 | N/A | 47.4% | $76,500 |
| Worthville | 176 | N/A | 67.5% | $66,400 |
Cities Similar to Ghent
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Clifty | 285 | N/A | $117,800 | 16.9% | 20.0% |
| Phelps | 301 | N/A | $102,700 | 7.2% | 36.5% |
| St. Charles | 293 | $44,688 | $55,700 | 6.5% | 33.8% |
| Moseleyville | 269 | N/A | $165,000 | 8.1% | 26.0% |
| Hazel | 299 | $40,536 | $111,900 | 21.7% | 23.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 286, Ghent'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
Ghent is a small community located in Kentucky, within Carroll County. The total population is 286. It ranks as the 430th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ghent is 46.5 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ghent is $42,188. This is 34% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 28% 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 Ghent, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $98,300. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Ghent is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ghent has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.6%.
Education
7.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 75.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ghent, 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 Ghent, Kentucky?
Ghent, Kentucky has a population of 286 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ghent, KY?
The median household income in Ghent is $42,188, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ghent, KY?
The poverty rate in Ghent is 20.6%. This means approximately 59 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ghent, Kentucky?
Ghent's population is 93.0% White, 0.0% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ghent, KY?
The median home value in Ghent is $98,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Ghent, Kentucky?
7.3% of adults (25+) in Ghent hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.