Prestonsburg city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Prestonsburg city, Kentucky has a total population of 3,823, the 105th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $27,265, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 44.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (44.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 15.4% is notably above the national average.
Prestonsburg city Quick Facts
How Prestonsburg city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 31 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Prestonsburg city Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Prestonsburg city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson city | 3,820 | $28,548 | $125,600 | 15.3% | 40.1% |
| Paintsville city | 4,256 | $26,713 | $110,800 | 17.2% | 34.7% |
| Stanton city | 3,211 | $29,141 | $127,200 | 10.8% | 27.8% |
| Scottsville city | 4,391 | $36,259 | $140,600 | 12.0% | 24.3% |
| Lancaster city | 3,960 | $45,795 | $134,700 | 12.7% | 25.1% |
Population Overview
Prestonsburg city is a small community located in Kentucky. The total population is 3,823. It ranks as the 105th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prestonsburg city is 35.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Prestonsburg city is $27,265. This is 56% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 65% lower. The poverty rate stands at 44.0%. This is 172% 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 15.4%. This is 218% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $157,200. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $192,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 46.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Prestonsburg city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.4%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 4.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.
Education
17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 77.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prestonsburg city, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Prestonsburg city, Kentucky?
Prestonsburg city, Kentucky has a population of 3,823 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prestonsburg city, KY?
The median household income in Prestonsburg city is $27,265, which is 65% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Prestonsburg city, KY?
The poverty rate in Prestonsburg city is 44.0%. This means approximately 1,568 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prestonsburg city, Kentucky?
Prestonsburg city's population is 93.7% White, 2.4% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prestonsburg city, KY?
The median home value in Prestonsburg city is $157,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Prestonsburg city, Kentucky?
17.4% of adults (25+) in Prestonsburg city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.