Morehead city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Morehead city, Kentucky has a total population of 6,924, the 66th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $35,000, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Morehead city Quick Facts
How Morehead city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 31 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Morehead city Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Morehead city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon city | 6,364 | $39,483 | $130,100 | 8.3% | 31.6% |
| Pikeville city | 7,560 | $39,216 | $301,300 | 41.1% | 28.2% |
| Russellville city | 7,244 | $47,875 | $156,000 | 13.2% | 16.8% |
| Leitchfield city | 6,434 | $47,168 | $156,700 | 10.9% | 22.3% |
| Monticello city | 5,741 | $37,733 | $125,800 | 11.7% | 34.9% |
Population Overview
Morehead city is a small city located in Kentucky. The total population is 6,924. It ranks as the 66th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Morehead city is 22.0 years. This is 44% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 12.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Morehead city is $35,000. This is 44% 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 34.4%. This is 113% 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 6.1%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $176,300. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $192,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 31.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 54% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Morehead city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.0%. The Black or African American population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 7.8%.
Education
31.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% higher 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 91.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Morehead city, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Morehead city, Kentucky?
Morehead city, Kentucky has a population of 6,924 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Morehead city, KY?
The median household income in Morehead city is $35,000, which is 55% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Morehead city, KY?
The poverty rate in Morehead city is 34.4%. This means approximately 1,428 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Morehead city, Kentucky?
Morehead city's population is 87.9% White, 3.7% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Morehead city, KY?
The median home value in Morehead city is $176,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Morehead city, Kentucky?
31.3% of adults (25+) in Morehead city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.