Horse Cave, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Horse Cave, Kentucky had a total population of 2,143, the 160th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $51,118, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.8%.
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 (34.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.9% 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 2.2x.
Horse Cave Quick Facts
How Horse Cave 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 | 2,348 | 2,143 | -8.7% |
| Median household income | $51,927 | $51,118 | -1.6% |
| Median home value | $93,600 | $113,700 | +21.5% |
How Horse Cave 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+)
Horse Cave Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Hart County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munfordville | 1,893 | $32,621 | 33.3% | $119,000 |
| Bonnieville | 326 | $46,042 | 24.0% | $148,400 |
| Hardyville | 108 | $76,786 | 0.0% | $161,900 |
Cities Similar to Horse Cave
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Corbin | 2,190 | $51,447 | $157,700 | 12.5% | 34.0% |
| Carlisle | 2,214 | $49,201 | $101,500 | 7.0% | 14.8% |
| Edmonton | 2,330 | $51,272 | $104,000 | 6.6% | 26.5% |
| Lewisport | 2,057 | $55,873 | $138,200 | 16.1% | 21.3% |
| Raceland | 2,265 | $57,222 | $128,400 | 20.7% | 23.2% |
Population Overview
Horse Cave is a small community located in Kentucky, within Hart County. The total population is 2,143. It ranks as the 160th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Horse Cave is 48.2 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Horse Cave is $51,118. 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 34.8%. This is 117% 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 5.1%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $113,700. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Horse Cave 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
The largest racial or ethnic group in Horse Cave is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (16.0% vs 7.5%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
8.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 81.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Horse Cave, 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 Horse Cave, Kentucky?
Horse Cave, Kentucky has a population of 2,143 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Horse Cave, KY?
The median household income in Horse Cave is $51,118, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Horse Cave, KY?
The poverty rate in Horse Cave is 34.8%. This means approximately 696 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Horse Cave, Kentucky?
Horse Cave's population is 71.9% White, 16.0% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Horse Cave, KY?
The median home value in Horse Cave is $113,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Horse Cave, Kentucky?
8.9% of adults (25+) in Horse Cave hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.