Paducah city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Paducah city, Kentucky has a total population of 26,894, the 16th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $51,243, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.5%.
Paducah city Quick Facts
How Paducah city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Paducah city Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Paducah city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson city | 27,994 | $47,176 | $151,400 | 18.2% | 19.7% |
| Frankfort city | 28,452 | $54,438 | $171,600 | 27.9% | 18.7% |
| Hopkinsville city | 31,011 | $47,428 | $140,200 | 22.1% | 20.1% |
| Elizabethtown city | 31,870 | $56,250 | $223,200 | 28.3% | 15.7% |
| Ashland city | 21,405 | $52,199 | $125,300 | 24.6% | 22.8% |
Population Overview
Paducah city is a mid-sized community located in Kentucky. The total population is 26,894. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paducah city is 43.2 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paducah city is $51,243. This is 18% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.5%. This is 33% 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 3.5%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $164,600. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $192,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 54.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Paducah city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (20.1% vs 7.8%).
Education
28.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% 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 Paducah 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 Paducah city, Kentucky?
Paducah city, Kentucky has a population of 26,894 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paducah city, KY?
The median household income in Paducah city is $51,243, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Paducah city, KY?
The poverty rate in Paducah city is 21.5%. This means approximately 5,569 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paducah city, Kentucky?
Paducah city's population is 70.5% White, 20.1% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paducah city, KY?
The median home value in Paducah city is $164,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Paducah city, Kentucky?
28.4% of adults (25+) in Paducah city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.