Shively city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Shively city, Kentucky has a total population of 15,556, the 30th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $46,522, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Shively city Quick Facts
How Shively city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shively city Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Shively city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glasgow city | 15,141 | $42,417 | $147,700 | 23.0% | 23.1% |
| Berea city | 15,557 | $56,484 | $178,000 | 27.0% | 19.5% |
| Bardstown city | 13,673 | $49,781 | $190,800 | 24.7% | 11.1% |
| Danville city | 17,235 | $53,370 | $202,200 | 26.5% | 15.1% |
| Murray city | 17,888 | $40,348 | $193,300 | 37.0% | 24.9% |
Population Overview
Shively city is a small city located in Kentucky. The total population is 15,556. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shively city is 46.3 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shively city is $46,522. This is 25% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $139,200. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $192,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 58.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shively city is Black or African American, making up 57.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (35.6%) is well below the state average of 82.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (57.8% vs 7.8%).
Education
12.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shively 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 Shively city, Kentucky?
Shively city, Kentucky has a population of 15,556 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shively city, KY?
The median household income in Shively city is $46,522, which is 41% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Shively city, KY?
The poverty rate in Shively city is 17.6%. This means approximately 2,672 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shively city, Kentucky?
Shively city's population is 35.6% White, 57.8% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shively city, KY?
The median home value in Shively city is $139,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Shively city, Kentucky?
12.7% of adults (25+) in Shively city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.