Paintsville, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paintsville, Kentucky had a total population of 4,203, the 100th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $28,257, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Paintsville Quick Facts
How Paintsville 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 | 4,256 | 4,203 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $26,713 | $28,257 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $110,800 | $116,100 | +4.8% |
How Paintsville 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+)
Paintsville Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Johnson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Van Lear | 1,155 | $66,815 | 3.5% | $135,300 |
| Van Lear | 443 | $35,347 | 24.1% | $81,100 |
Cities Similar to Paintsville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson | 3,778 | $27,542 | $136,900 | 18.7% | 37.9% |
| Prestonsburg | 3,765 | $25,746 | $161,300 | 18.8% | 45.3% |
| Scottsville | 4,427 | $35,562 | $160,700 | 13.8% | 21.9% |
| Lancaster | 4,013 | $43,898 | $175,300 | 13.2% | 29.1% |
| Greenville | 4,410 | $46,054 | $116,400 | 26.0% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Paintsville is a small community located in Kentucky, within Johnson County. The total population is 4,203. It ranks as the 100th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paintsville is 44.8 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paintsville is $28,257. This is 56% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 65% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.9%. This is 105% 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 3.0%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $116,100. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 42.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Paintsville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.1%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.1% vs 1.6%).
Education
17.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 83.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paintsville, 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 Paintsville, Kentucky?
Paintsville, Kentucky has a population of 4,203 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paintsville, KY?
The median household income in Paintsville is $28,257, which is 65% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paintsville, KY?
The poverty rate in Paintsville is 32.9%. This means approximately 1,276 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paintsville, Kentucky?
Paintsville's population is 92.3% White, 0.3% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paintsville, KY?
The median home value in Paintsville is $116,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Paintsville, Kentucky?
17.6% of adults (25+) in Paintsville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.