Island, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Island, Kentucky had a total population of 576, the 331st largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $54,375, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 6.9% 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 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.4% is notably above the national average.
Island Quick Facts
How Island 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 | 616 | 576 | -6.5% |
| Median household income | $48,875 | $54,375 | +11.3% |
| Median home value | $72,100 | $75,000 | +4.0% |
How Island 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+)
Island Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in McLean County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livermore | 1,223 | $40,099 | 20.8% | $134,600 |
| Calhoun | 601 | $52,500 | 14.4% | $113,300 |
| Sacramento | 317 | $34,107 | 32.8% | $75,300 |
| Beech Grove | 291 | $109,083 | 0.0% | $170,900 |
Cities Similar to Island
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cawood | 596 | N/A | $69,800 | 33.7% | 6.4% |
| McRoberts | 556 | N/A | $60,100 | 2.4% | 46.0% |
| Calhoun | 601 | $52,500 | $113,300 | 7.4% | 14.4% |
| Summer Shade | 532 | N/A | $113,400 | 7.1% | 55.8% |
| Magnolia | 609 | $50,809 | $158,100 | 7.8% | 29.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 576, Island'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
Island is a small community located in Kentucky, within McLean County. The total population is 576. It ranks as the 331st most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Island is 47.0 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Island is $54,375. This is 15% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 13.4%. This is 175% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $75,000. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Island is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Island has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
6.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 89.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Island, 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 Island, Kentucky?
Island, Kentucky has a population of 576 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Island, KY?
The median household income in Island is $54,375, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Island, KY?
The poverty rate in Island is 12.0%. This means approximately 69 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Island, Kentucky?
Island's population is 95.5% White, 0.7% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Island, KY?
The median home value in Island is $75,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Island, Kentucky?
6.9% of adults (25+) in Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.