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Horse Cave city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 27.2% is well above the state average
Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 1.8x is exceptionally low

As of 2026, Horse Cave city, Kentucky has a total population of 2,348, the 151st largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $51,927, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.2%.

Key Takeaways

Horse Cave city Quick Facts

Population 2,348
Median Household Income $51,927
Median Home Value $93,600
Poverty Rate 27.2%
Unemployment Rate 7.5%
Median Age 47.1 years
Homeownership Rate 63.9%
Affordability Ratio 1.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 9.4%
High School Graduation Rate 84.1%
Diversity Index 45/100
Population 2,348 151st of 552
Median Income $51,927 average
Poverty Rate 27.2% 119% higher national
Median Home Value $93,600 bottom 20%

How Horse Cave city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.5% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
41.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 63.9%
Renter 36.1%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
1.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

45out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 31 | National average: 60

Education

Horse Cave city Rankings in Kentucky

#151 Population of 552
#277 Median Income of 552
#414 Education of 552
#408 Home Value of 552

Cities Similar to Horse Cave city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Dry Ridge city2,250$53,641$193,20020.2%24.8%
Carlisle city2,356$46,292$103,3008.5%14.8%
Lebanon Junction city2,201$52,000$134,7009.5%17.6%
Hardinsburg city2,404$56,774$128,40017.1%15.7%
Edmonton city2,168$48,583$96,2009.1%26.4%

Population Overview

Horse Cave city is a small community located in Kentucky. The total population is 2,348. It ranks as the 151st most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Horse Cave city is 47.1 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Horse Cave city is $51,927. This is 17% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.2%. This is 69% 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 7.5%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $93,600. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Horse Cave city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Horse Cave city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.1% vs 7.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.

Education

9.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 84.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Horse Cave city, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Horse Cave city, Kentucky?

Horse Cave city, Kentucky has a population of 2,348 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Horse Cave city, KY?

The median household income in Horse Cave city is $51,927, which is 34% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Horse Cave city, KY?

The poverty rate in Horse Cave city is 27.2%. This means approximately 598 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Horse Cave city, Kentucky?

Horse Cave city's population is 70.2% White, 22.1% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.

What is the median home value in Horse Cave city, KY?

The median home value in Horse Cave city is $93,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.

How educated is Horse Cave city, Kentucky?

9.4% of adults (25+) in Horse Cave city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.