Pine Knot, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pine Knot, Kentucky had a total population of 1,051, the 235th largest community in Kentucky. The poverty rate is 52.9%.
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 (52.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 1.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Pine Knot Quick Facts
How Pine Knot 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 | 1,358 | 1,051 | -22.6% |
How Pine Knot 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+)
Pine Knot Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in McCreary County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stearns | 1,271 | $55,931 | 33.2% | $160,700 |
| Whitley City | 963 | $33,719 | 51.1% | $116,700 |
Cities Similar to Pine Knot
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle | 1,052 | $43,203 | $154,000 | 17.8% | 18.5% |
| Lewisburg | 1,043 | $38,988 | $102,400 | 8.7% | 23.8% |
| Annville | 1,063 | $56,250 | $86,600 | 10.4% | 7.3% |
| Dixon | 1,036 | $46,607 | $82,500 | 5.6% | 20.1% |
| Philpot | 1,036 | $87,692 | $240,900 | 42.4% | 1.2% |
Population Overview
Pine Knot is a small community located in Kentucky, within McCreary County. The total population is 1,051. It ranks as the 235th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pine Knot is 55.4 years. This is 42% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 8.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 52.9%. This is 229% 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 39% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. 32.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 53% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pine Knot has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 8.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
1.9% 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 93% 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 55.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pine Knot, 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 Pine Knot, Kentucky?
Pine Knot, Kentucky has a population of 1,051 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pine Knot, KY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Pine Knot — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pine Knot, KY?
The poverty rate in Pine Knot is 52.9%. This means approximately 527 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pine Knot, Kentucky?
Pine Knot's population is 88.9% White, 8.2% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pine Knot, KY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Pine Knot — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Pine Knot, Kentucky?
1.9% of adults (25+) in Pine Knot hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.