Jackson County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Jackson County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 13,003. It is the 84th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jackson County is 40.6 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jackson County is $41,410. This is 34% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.0%. This is 43% 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 5.8%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $107,000. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Jackson County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Jackson County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 4.7%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

10.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 62% 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 73.3%.