Lancaster, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lancaster, Kentucky had a total population of 4,013, the 103rd largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $43,898, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.7% is notably above the national average.
Lancaster Quick Facts
How Lancaster 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 | 3,960 | 4,013 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $45,795 | $43,898 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $134,700 | $175,300 | +30.1% |
How Lancaster 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+)
Lancaster Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Lancaster
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrollton | 3,915 | $45,871 | $113,200 | 4.6% | 22.8% |
| Greenville | 4,410 | $46,054 | $116,400 | 26.0% | 21.3% |
| Farley | 4,458 | $47,292 | $86,300 | 10.9% | 30.8% |
| Crittenden | 4,084 | $57,283 | $223,800 | 14.7% | 9.5% |
| Stanford | 3,643 | $49,337 | $155,000 | 18.4% | 12.0% |
Population Overview
Lancaster is a small community located in Kentucky, within Garrard County. The total population is 4,013. It ranks as the 103rd most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lancaster is 34.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lancaster is $43,898. This is 31% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.1%. This is 81% 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 11.7%. This is 141% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $175,300. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 54.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lancaster is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.3%.
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 84.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, Kentucky?
Lancaster, Kentucky has a population of 4,013 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lancaster, KY?
The median household income in Lancaster is $43,898, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lancaster, KY?
The poverty rate in Lancaster is 29.1%. This means approximately 1,129 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lancaster, Kentucky?
Lancaster's population is 80.6% White, 8.3% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lancaster, KY?
The median home value in Lancaster is $175,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Lancaster, Kentucky?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Lancaster hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.