Perry County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Perry County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 27,847. It is the 38th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Perry County is 41.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Perry County is $45,261. This is 27% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.5%. This is 58% 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 5.9%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $90,700. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Perry County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Perry County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.

Education

14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% lower 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 79.5%.