Pathfork, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pathfork, Kentucky had a total population of 542, the 340th largest community in Kentucky, with a median household income of $49,571, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 11.2% is notably above the national average.
Pathfork Quick Facts
How Pathfork 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 | 606 | 542 | -10.6% |
| Median household income | $45,913 | $49,571 | +8.0% |
How Pathfork 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+)
Pathfork Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Harlan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlan | 2,160 | $32,408 | 33.1% | $89,200 |
| Cumberland | 2,037 | $35,410 | 52.8% | $66,500 |
| South Wallins | 765 | $26,336 | 35.2% | $55,300 |
| Benham | 725 | $44,946 | 15.7% | $53,000 |
| Lynch | 709 | $30,114 | 36.7% | $58,600 |
| Evarts | 648 | $34,007 | 35.4% | $71,400 |
| Cawood | 596 | N/A | 6.4% | $69,800 |
| Loyall | 388 | $52,734 | 24.2% | $75,900 |
| Ages | 385 | $34,063 | 50.6% | $64,400 |
| Wallins Creek | 383 | N/A | 2.6% | $177,500 |
Cities Similar to Pathfork
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Shade | 532 | N/A | $113,400 | 7.1% | 55.8% |
| McRoberts | 556 | N/A | $60,100 | 2.4% | 46.0% |
| Mayking | 503 | N/A | $67,100 | 4.0% | 41.9% |
| Cawood | 596 | N/A | $69,800 | 33.7% | 6.4% |
| Butler | 515 | $45,341 | $158,200 | 9.5% | 35.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 542, Pathfork's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Pathfork is a small community located in Kentucky, within Harlan County. The total population is 542. It ranks as the 340th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pathfork is 33.9 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 30.3% of the population under 18, Pathfork has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 14.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pathfork is $49,571. This is 22% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.1%. This is 31% 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 11.2%. This is 129% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. 98.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pathfork has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.8% of all residents.
Education
34.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 73.8%. Notably, 18.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pathfork, 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.
Free data download: Get all Kentucky city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Pathfork, Kentucky?
Pathfork, Kentucky has a population of 542 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pathfork, KY?
The median household income in Pathfork is $49,571, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pathfork, KY?
The poverty rate in Pathfork is 21.1%. This means approximately 80 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pathfork, Kentucky?
Pathfork's population is 94.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pathfork, KY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Pathfork — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Pathfork, Kentucky?
34.9% of adults (25+) in Pathfork hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.