Owsley County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Owsley County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 4,021. It is the 119th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Owsley County is 47.9 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Owsley County is $31,064. This is 50% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 60% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 54% 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 11.3%. This is 134% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $79,900. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Owsley County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

Owsley County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents.

Education

11.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 73.0%.