Lee County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Lee County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 7,375. It is the 111th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lee County is 43.4 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lee County is $34,182. This is 45% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 56% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.9%. This is 79% 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 7.1%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $82,100. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Lee County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Lee County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.1%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) 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%.

Education

7.5% 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 72% 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 74.2%.