Payne Gap, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Payne Gap, Kentucky had a total population of 440, the 369th largest community in Kentucky, with a median household income of $36,250, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 3.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 17.3% is notably above the national average.
Payne Gap Quick Facts
How Payne Gap 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 | 217 | 440 | +102.8% |
How Payne Gap 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+)
Payne Gap Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Letcher County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitesburg | 1,761 | $29,189 | 37.5% | $111,700 |
| Jenkins | 1,406 | $27,200 | 32.3% | $80,200 |
| Fleming-Neon | 567 | $34,107 | 20.9% | $52,900 |
| McRoberts | 556 | N/A | 46.0% | $60,100 |
| Mayking | 503 | N/A | 41.9% | $67,100 |
| Millstone | 317 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Blackey | 141 | $11,629 | 74.5% | $69,200 |
Cities Similar to Payne Gap
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley | 448 | N/A | $518,600 | 0.0% | 3.4% |
| Van Lear | 443 | $35,347 | $81,100 | 20.9% | 24.1% |
| Sandy Hook | 456 | N/A | $132,100 | 11.4% | 45.1% |
| Virgie | 424 | N/A | $209,200 | 7.0% | 38.9% |
| Maceo | 418 | N/A | $145,500 | 0.0% | 2.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 440, Payne Gap'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
Payne Gap is a small community located in Kentucky, within Letcher County. The total population is 440. It ranks as the 369th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Payne Gap is 48.8 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 13.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Payne Gap is $36,250. This is 43% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 17.3%. This is 255% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. 94.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Payne Gap is White (non-Hispanic), making up 85.0% of the population.
Education
3.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 88% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Payne Gap, 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 Payne Gap, Kentucky?
Payne Gap, Kentucky has a population of 440 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Payne Gap, KY?
The median household income in Payne Gap is $36,250, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Payne Gap, KY?
The poverty rate in Payne Gap is 15.0%. This means approximately 66 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Payne Gap, Kentucky?
Payne Gap's population is 85.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Payne Gap, KY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Payne Gap — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Payne Gap, Kentucky?
3.3% of adults (25+) in Payne Gap hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.