Lawrence County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Lawrence County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 16,171. It is the 69th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lawrence County is 42.0 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lawrence County is $45,584. This is 27% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.0%. This is 36% 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 6.0%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $108,100. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Lawrence County 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

Lawrence County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.8% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.

Education

14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 79.8%.