Sanders, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sanders, Kentucky had a total population of 435, the 371st largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $39,524, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 49.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (49.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Sanders Quick Facts
How Sanders 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 | 469 | 435 | -7.2% |
How Sanders 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+)
Sanders Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Carroll County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrollton | 3,915 | $45,871 | 22.8% | $113,200 |
| Ghent | 286 | $42,188 | 20.6% | $98,300 |
| Prestonville | 192 | N/A | 47.4% | $76,500 |
| Worthville | 176 | N/A | 67.5% | $66,400 |
Cities Similar to Sanders
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgie | 424 | N/A | $209,200 | 7.0% | 38.9% |
| Stanley | 448 | N/A | $518,600 | 0.0% | 3.4% |
| Maceo | 418 | N/A | $145,500 | 0.0% | 2.1% |
| Sandy Hook | 456 | N/A | $132,100 | 11.4% | 45.1% |
| Payne Gap | 440 | $36,250 | N/A | 3.3% | 15.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 435, Sanders'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
Sanders is a small community located in Kentucky, within Carroll County. The total population is 435. It ranks as the 371st most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sanders is 31.8 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 31.5% of the population under 18, Sanders has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sanders is $39,524. This is 38% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 49.0%. This is 205% 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 Sanders, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 91.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sanders has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.4%.
Education
15.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sanders, 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 Sanders, Kentucky?
Sanders, Kentucky has a population of 435 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sanders, KY?
The median household income in Sanders is $39,524, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sanders, KY?
The poverty rate in Sanders is 49.0%. This means approximately 201 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sanders, Kentucky?
Sanders's population is 95.2% White, 4.4% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sanders, KY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Sanders — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Sanders, Kentucky?
15.4% of adults (25+) in Sanders hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.