Hazard, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hazard, Kentucky had a total population of 5,008, the 87th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $51,016, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Hazard Quick Facts
How Hazard 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 | 5,105 | 5,008 | -1.9% |
| Median household income | $68,582 | $51,016 | -25.6% |
| Median home value | $146,100 | $145,400 | -0.5% |
How Hazard 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+)
Hazard Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Perry County
Cities Similar to Hazard
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 4,808 | $47,299 | $143,600 | 25.3% | 18.3% |
| Central City | 5,707 | $50,885 | $143,600 | 5.7% | 25.6% |
| Farley | 4,458 | $47,292 | $86,300 | 10.9% | 30.8% |
| Greenville | 4,410 | $46,054 | $116,400 | 26.0% | 21.3% |
| Benton | 4,748 | $66,827 | $157,000 | 20.2% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
Hazard is a small city located in Kentucky, within Perry County. The total population is 5,008. It ranks as the 87th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hazard is 42.2 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hazard is $51,016. This is 20% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.5%. This is 96% 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 7.1%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $145,400. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Hazard is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hazard has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.0%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 80.5%. Notably, 16.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hazard, 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 Hazard, Kentucky?
Hazard, Kentucky has a population of 5,008 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hazard, KY?
The median household income in Hazard is $51,016, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hazard, KY?
The poverty rate in Hazard is 31.5%. This means approximately 1,412 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hazard, Kentucky?
Hazard's population is 88.4% White, 3.8% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hazard, KY?
The median home value in Hazard is $145,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Hazard, Kentucky?
23.6% of adults (25+) in Hazard hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.