Grayson, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Grayson, Kentucky had a total population of 3,778, the 106th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $27,542, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Grayson Quick Facts
How Grayson 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 | 3,820 | 3,778 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $28,548 | $27,542 | -3.5% |
| Median home value | $125,600 | $136,900 | +9.0% |
How Grayson 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+)
Grayson Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Carter County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olive Hill | 1,636 | $70,682 | 19.8% | $136,700 |
Cities Similar to Grayson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prestonsburg | 3,765 | $25,746 | $161,300 | 18.8% | 45.3% |
| Paintsville | 4,203 | $28,257 | $116,100 | 17.6% | 32.9% |
| Stanton | 3,218 | $25,417 | $123,000 | 8.1% | 26.0% |
| Scottsville | 4,427 | $35,562 | $160,700 | 13.8% | 21.9% |
| Carrollton | 3,915 | $45,871 | $113,200 | 4.6% | 22.8% |
Population Overview
Grayson is a small community located in Kentucky, within Carter County. The total population is 3,778. It ranks as the 106th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grayson is 30.3 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Grayson is $27,542. This is 57% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 66% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.9%. This is 136% 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 7.6%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $136,900. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 39.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Grayson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
18.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 85.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grayson, 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 Grayson, Kentucky?
Grayson, Kentucky has a population of 3,778 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grayson, KY?
The median household income in Grayson is $27,542, which is 66% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Grayson, KY?
The poverty rate in Grayson is 37.9%. This means approximately 1,224 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grayson, Kentucky?
Grayson's population is 88.3% White, 1.7% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grayson, KY?
The median home value in Grayson is $136,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Grayson, Kentucky?
18.7% of adults (25+) in Grayson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.