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Ludlow, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ludlow, Kentucky had a total population of 4,378, the 99th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $65,284, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.4%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Ludlow Quick Facts

Population 4,378
Median Household Income $65,284
Median Home Value $184,800
Poverty Rate 24.4%
Unemployment Rate 4.2%
Median Age 37.4 years
Homeownership Rate 76.1%
Affordability Ratio 2.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 38.4%
High School Graduation Rate 95.8%
Diversity Index 35/100
Population 4,378 99th of 552
Median Income $65,284 above average
Poverty Rate 24.4% 96% higher than national
Median Home Value $184,800 above average

How Ludlow Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population4,3784,378+0.0%
Median household income$58,295$65,284+12.0%
Median home value$154,700$184,800+19.5%

How Ludlow Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 27.0%
$25K-$50K 13.4%
$50K-$100K 25.4%
$100K+ 34.2%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
18.5%
$10K-$15K
3.1%
$15K-$20K
2.6%
$20K-$25K
2.9%
$25K-$30K
1.0%
$30K-$35K
3.2%
$35K-$40K
6.2%
$40K-$45K
1.8%
$45K-$50K
1.3%
$50K-$60K
4.1%
$60K-$75K
9.9%
$75K-$100K
11.4%
$100K-$125K
11.1%
$125K-$150K
9.8%
$150K-$200K
9.2%
$200K+
4.1%

Employment

4.2% Unemployment Rate State: 4.9%|National: 5.2%
66.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 76.1%
Renter 23.9%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.8x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,233/mo 22.7% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

35out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 33 | National average: 61

Education

Ludlow Rankings in Kentucky

#99 Population of 552
#193 Median Income of 496
#117 Education of 550
#191 Home Value of 495

Other Cities in Kenton County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Covington 41,110 $61,166 20.8% $187,300
Independence 29,392 $102,361 8.8% $263,700
Erlanger 19,875 $75,840 13.7% $209,000
Elsmere 9,205 $60,503 15.6% $171,900
Fort Mitchell 8,713 $86,310 8.1% $357,100
Edgewood 8,447 $119,028 3.8% $312,200
Villa Hills 7,480 $107,859 3.7% $362,500
Taylor Mill 6,937 $88,546 10.9% $241,000
Fort Wright 5,887 $105,024 3.0% $328,900
Walton 5,730 $77,917 13.0% $262,200

Cities Similar to Ludlow

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Hendron4,495$71,610$213,90039.4%3.8%
Westwood4,473$73,511$92,20014.7%9.6%
Benton4,748$66,827$157,00020.2%11.4%
Crittenden4,084$57,283$223,80014.7%9.5%
Crescent Springs4,486$83,066$302,10041.2%5.4%

Population Overview

Ludlow is a small community located in Kentucky, within Kenton County. The total population is 4,378. It ranks as the 99th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ludlow is 37.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ludlow is $65,284. This is 2% higher than the state median of $63,726. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.4%. This is 52% 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 4.2%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $184,800. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Ludlow is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Ludlow is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.9% vs 5.0%).

Education

38.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% higher 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 95.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ludlow, 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 Ludlow, Kentucky?

Ludlow, Kentucky has a population of 4,378 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Ludlow, KY?

The median household income in Ludlow is $65,284, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Ludlow, KY?

The poverty rate in Ludlow is 24.4%. This means approximately 1,056 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Ludlow, Kentucky?

Ludlow's population is 79.8% White, 3.1% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Ludlow, KY?

The median home value in Ludlow is $184,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.

How educated is Ludlow, Kentucky?

38.4% of adults (25+) in Ludlow hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.