Lynch, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lynch, Kentucky had a total population of 709, the 292nd largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $30,114, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Lynch Quick Facts
How Lynch 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 | 727 | 709 | -2.5% |
| Median household income | $28,958 | $30,114 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $55,700 | $58,600 | +5.2% |
How Lynch 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+)
Lynch Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Harlan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlan | 2,160 | $32,408 | 33.1% | $89,200 |
| Cumberland | 2,037 | $35,410 | 52.8% | $66,500 |
| South Wallins | 765 | $26,336 | 35.2% | $55,300 |
| Benham | 725 | $44,946 | 15.7% | $53,000 |
| Evarts | 648 | $34,007 | 35.4% | $71,400 |
| Cawood | 596 | N/A | 6.4% | $69,800 |
| Pathfork | 542 | $49,571 | 21.1% | N/A |
| Loyall | 388 | $52,734 | 24.2% | $75,900 |
| Ages | 385 | $34,063 | 50.6% | $64,400 |
| Wallins Creek | 383 | N/A | 2.6% | $177,500 |
Cities Similar to Lynch
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortons Gap | 650 | N/A | $96,800 | 5.8% | 24.6% |
| Crab Orchard | 739 | $34,632 | $98,200 | 6.4% | 24.1% |
| South Wallins | 765 | $26,336 | $55,300 | 4.1% | 35.2% |
| East Bernstadt | 669 | $35,903 | $91,900 | 12.6% | 25.0% |
| Evarts | 648 | $34,007 | $71,400 | 10.9% | 35.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 709, Lynch's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Lynch is a small community located in Kentucky, within Harlan County. The total population is 709. It ranks as the 292nd most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lynch is 43.8 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lynch is $30,114. This is 53% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 63% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.7%. This is 128% 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 3.4%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $58,600. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Lynch is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lynch has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 8.0%.
Education
10.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lynch, 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 Lynch, Kentucky?
Lynch, Kentucky has a population of 709 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lynch, KY?
The median household income in Lynch is $30,114, which is 63% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lynch, KY?
The poverty rate in Lynch is 36.7%. This means approximately 260 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lynch, Kentucky?
Lynch's population is 87.0% White, 8.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lynch, KY?
The median home value in Lynch is $58,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Lynch, Kentucky?
10.4% of adults (25+) in Lynch hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.