Paducah, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paducah, Kentucky had a total population of 26,845, the 16th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $49,915, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Paducah Quick Facts
How Paducah 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 | 26,894 | 26,845 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $51,243 | $49,915 | -2.6% |
| Median home value | $164,600 | $165,300 | +0.4% |
How Paducah 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Paducah Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in McCracken County
Cities Similar to Paducah
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson | 27,852 | $48,186 | $160,100 | 19.4% | 18.7% |
| Frankfort | 28,503 | $53,073 | $183,700 | 28.4% | 19.1% |
| Hopkinsville | 30,906 | $49,139 | $172,100 | 23.3% | 19.3% |
| Radcliff | 22,864 | $58,559 | $169,600 | 18.3% | 16.0% |
| Ashland | 21,295 | $52,715 | $125,000 | 24.8% | 22.4% |
Population Overview
Paducah is a mid-sized community located in Kentucky, within McCracken County. The total population is 26,845. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paducah is 41.5 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paducah is $49,915. This is 22% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 39% 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 4.0%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $165,300. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Paducah is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (19.2% vs 7.5%).
Education
28.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paducah, 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 Paducah, Kentucky?
Paducah, Kentucky has a population of 26,845 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paducah, KY?
The median household income in Paducah is $49,915, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paducah, KY?
The poverty rate in Paducah is 22.3%. This means approximately 5,777 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paducah, Kentucky?
Paducah's population is 69.7% White, 19.2% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paducah, KY?
The median home value in Paducah is $165,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Paducah, Kentucky?
28.8% of adults (25+) in Paducah hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.