Phelps, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Phelps, Kentucky had a total population of 301, the 425th largest community in Kentucky. The poverty rate is 36.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Phelps Quick Facts
How Phelps 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 | 387 | 301 | -22.2% |
| Median home value | $111,600 | $102,700 | -8.0% |
How Phelps 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+)
Phelps Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Pike County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pikeville | 7,490 | $39,955 | 27.1% | $263,800 |
| Coal Run Village | 1,724 | $52,750 | 26.3% | $132,400 |
| Elkhorn City | 846 | $44,000 | 20.8% | $116,700 |
| South Williamson | 472 | $56,484 | 23.7% | $169,800 |
| Virgie | 424 | N/A | 38.9% | $209,200 |
| McCarr | 265 | $37,043 | 13.6% | N/A |
| Belfry | 118 | N/A | 0.0% | $163,900 |
| Freeburn | 91 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Phelps
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazel | 299 | $40,536 | $111,900 | 21.7% | 23.8% |
| Warfield | 297 | $61,324 | $118,400 | 3.4% | 8.8% |
| Bellewood | 308 | $153,750 | $476,600 | 78.0% | 1.0% |
| Jeff | 309 | $250,000+ | $189,500 | 30.6% | 3.9% |
| St. Charles | 293 | $44,688 | $55,700 | 6.5% | 33.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 301, Phelps'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
Phelps is a small community located in Kentucky, within Pike County. The total population is 301. It ranks as the 425th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Phelps is 58.3 years. This is 49% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 13.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 36.5%. This is 128% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Phelps, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $102,700. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $205,600. 57.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Phelps is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.7% of the population.
Education
7.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 51.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Phelps, 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 Phelps, Kentucky?
Phelps, Kentucky has a population of 301 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Phelps, KY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Phelps — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Phelps, KY?
The poverty rate in Phelps is 36.5%. This means approximately 110 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Phelps, Kentucky?
Phelps's population is 81.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Phelps, KY?
The median home value in Phelps is $102,700.
How educated is Phelps, Kentucky?
7.2% of adults (25+) in Phelps hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.