Morehead, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Morehead, Kentucky had a total population of 6,870, the 67th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $36,741, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Morehead Quick Facts
How Morehead 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 | 6,924 | 6,870 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $35,000 | $36,741 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $176,300 | $184,900 | +4.9% |
How Morehead Compares
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+)
Morehead Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Rowan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeview Heights | 332 | $86,250 | 1.5% | $200,000 |
| Farmers | 206 | N/A | 26.9% | $200,900 |
Cities Similar to Morehead
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leitchfield | 6,819 | $44,347 | $159,100 | 12.4% | 24.3% |
| Pikeville | 7,490 | $39,955 | $263,800 | 40.4% | 27.1% |
| Russellville | 7,316 | $45,484 | $168,700 | 14.1% | 20.7% |
| Lebanon | 6,430 | $45,479 | $149,700 | 11.7% | 25.6% |
| Princeton | 6,241 | $47,411 | $96,600 | 16.7% | 15.8% |
Population Overview
Morehead is a small city located in Kentucky, within Rowan County. The total population is 6,870. It ranks as the 67th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Morehead is 22.0 years. This is 44% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 12.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Morehead is $36,741. This is 42% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 38.0%. This is 137% 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 5.5%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $184,900. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 33.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 52% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Morehead has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.2%. The Black or African American population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
29.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% higher 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 86.3%. Notably, 16.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Morehead, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Morehead, Kentucky?
Morehead, Kentucky has a population of 6,870 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Morehead, KY?
The median household income in Morehead is $36,741, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Morehead, KY?
The poverty rate in Morehead is 38.0%. This means approximately 1,527 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Morehead, Kentucky?
Morehead's population is 90.3% White, 3.2% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Morehead, KY?
The median home value in Morehead is $184,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Morehead, Kentucky?
29.9% of adults (25+) in Morehead hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.