McCreary County, Kentucky Demographics 2026
McCreary County, Kentucky has a population of 16,867, the 68th most populous county in Kentucky. The median household income is $33,750 and the median home value is $85,300. The poverty rate is 38.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
McCreary County Quick Facts
How McCreary County 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 | 16,905 | 16,867 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $37,355 | $33,750 | -9.7% |
| Median home value | $77,000 | $85,300 | +10.8% |
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+)
Cities & Places in McCreary County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stearns | 1,271 | $55,931 | 33.2% | $160,700 |
| Pine Knot | 1,051 | N/A | 52.9% | N/A |
| Whitley City | 963 | $33,719 | 51.1% | $116,700 |
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Population Overview
McCreary County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 16,867. It is the 68th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky. The county encompasses 3 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in McCreary County is 39.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McCreary County is $33,750. This is 47% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 58% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 38.9%. This is 142% 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 14% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $85,300. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, McCreary County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
McCreary County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.0%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
8.5% 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 69% 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 77.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for McCreary County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Kentucky and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of McCreary County, Kentucky?
McCreary County has a population of 16,867, making it the 68th most populous county in Kentucky.
What is the median income in McCreary County?
The median household income in McCreary County is $33,750 with a poverty rate of 38.9%.
How many cities are in McCreary County, Kentucky?
McCreary County contains 3 Census-designated places.