Martin County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Martin County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 11,181. It is the 96th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Martin County is 40.3 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Martin County is $46,185. This is 26% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 29.2%. 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 5.9%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $84,900. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Martin County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Martin County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 7.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 4.7%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

10.7% 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 60% 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 73.7%.