Prestonsburg, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Prestonsburg, Kentucky had a total population of 3,765, the 107th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $25,746, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 45.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (45.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 19.3% is notably above the national average.
Prestonsburg Quick Facts
How Prestonsburg 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 | 3,823 | 3,765 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $27,265 | $25,746 | -5.6% |
| Median home value | $157,200 | $161,300 | +2.6% |
How Prestonsburg 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+)
Prestonsburg Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Floyd County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelwright | 964 | N/A | 40.7% | $72,000 |
| McDowell | 718 | $14,474 | 72.4% | $73,100 |
| Auxier | 651 | $116,991 | 5.4% | $110,600 |
| Betsy Layne | 557 | $31,838 | 34.3% | N/A |
| Martin | 494 | $30,682 | 39.7% | N/A |
| Wayland | 316 | $28,333 | 48.3% | $40,500 |
| Dwale | 170 | N/A | 28.2% | N/A |
| Allen | 157 | $36,250 | 23.1% | $77,500 |
| Maytown | 11 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Prestonsburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson | 3,778 | $27,542 | $136,900 | 18.7% | 37.9% |
| Paintsville | 4,203 | $28,257 | $116,100 | 17.6% | 32.9% |
| Stanton | 3,218 | $25,417 | $123,000 | 8.1% | 26.0% |
| Barbourville | 3,146 | $22,046 | $182,400 | 27.9% | 51.8% |
| Scottsville | 4,427 | $35,562 | $160,700 | 13.8% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Prestonsburg is a small community located in Kentucky, within Floyd County. The total population is 3,765. It ranks as the 107th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prestonsburg is 37.6 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Prestonsburg is $25,746. This is 60% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 68% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 45.3%. This is 182% 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 19.3%. This is 297% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $161,300. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 45.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Prestonsburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 83.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prestonsburg, 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.
Free data download: Get all Kentucky city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Prestonsburg, Kentucky?
Prestonsburg, Kentucky has a population of 3,765 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prestonsburg, KY?
The median household income in Prestonsburg is $25,746, which is 68% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Prestonsburg, KY?
The poverty rate in Prestonsburg is 45.3%. This means approximately 1,601 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prestonsburg, Kentucky?
Prestonsburg's population is 93.9% White, 1.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prestonsburg, KY?
The median home value in Prestonsburg is $161,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Prestonsburg, Kentucky?
18.8% of adults (25+) in Prestonsburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.