McCreary County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

McCreary County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 16,905. It is the 68th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in McCreary County is 38.7 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in McCreary County is $37,355. This is 40% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 35.1%. This is 118% 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 2.3%. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $77,000. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, McCreary County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.4% 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 89.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 4.7%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

9.1% 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 66% 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 77.5%.