Owensboro, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Owensboro, Kentucky had a total population of 60,302, the 4th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $56,357, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Owensboro is the 4th largest city in Kentucky with a population of 60,302.
Owensboro Quick Facts
How Owensboro 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 | 60,112 | 60,302 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $53,295 | $56,357 | +5.7% |
| Median home value | $162,900 | $178,900 | +9.8% |
How Owensboro 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+)
Owensboro Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Daviess County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorgho | 2,960 | $121,579 | 8.5% | $275,800 |
| Masonville | 2,887 | $83,241 | 11.2% | $230,400 |
| Thruston | 2,581 | $69,922 | 21.6% | $187,700 |
| Philpot | 1,036 | $87,692 | 1.2% | $240,900 |
| Whitesville | 661 | $85,000 | 8.8% | $161,100 |
| Yelvington | 594 | $68,176 | 21.2% | $137,500 |
| Pleasant Ridge | 487 | $41,798 | 25.3% | $113,800 |
| Stanley | 448 | N/A | 3.4% | $518,600 |
| Maceo | 418 | N/A | 2.1% | $145,500 |
| Moseleyville | 269 | N/A | 26.0% | $165,000 |
Cities Similar to Owensboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | 75,388 | $48,873 | $241,900 | 31.2% | 25.6% |
| Covington | 41,110 | $61,166 | $187,300 | 32.3% | 20.8% |
| Richmond | 37,111 | $50,870 | $214,900 | 34.9% | 19.5% |
| Georgetown | 39,117 | $80,088 | $265,400 | 34.1% | 12.1% |
| Elizabethtown | 32,576 | $60,760 | $245,900 | 28.2% | 17.0% |
Population Overview
Owensboro is a mid-sized community located in Kentucky, within Daviess County. The total population is 60,302. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Owensboro is 37.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Owensboro is $56,357. This is 12% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.9%. This is 18% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $178,900. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 57.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Owensboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.6% vs 1.6%).
Education
26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% 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 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Owensboro, 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 Owensboro, Kentucky?
Owensboro, Kentucky has a population of 60,302 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Owensboro, KY?
The median household income in Owensboro is $56,357, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Owensboro, KY?
The poverty rate in Owensboro is 18.9%. This means approximately 11,045 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Owensboro, Kentucky?
Owensboro's population is 79.0% White, 6.3% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Owensboro, KY?
The median home value in Owensboro is $178,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Owensboro, Kentucky?
26.1% of adults (25+) in Owensboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.