McDowell CDP, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

McDowell CDP is a small community located in Kentucky. The total population is 549. It ranks as the 338th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in McDowell CDP is 55.2 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 18.6% 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 McDowell CDP is $35,576. This is 43% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% lower. The poverty rate stands at 41.0%. This is 154% 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 28.9%. This is 499% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $73,600. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, McDowell CDP is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

McDowell CDP has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 99.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.4%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.8%.

Education

26.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 88.8%. Notably, 17.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for McDowell CDP, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.