Shively, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shively, Kentucky had a total population of 15,638, the 30th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $50,221, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Shively Quick Facts
How Shively 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 | 15,556 | 15,638 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $46,522 | $50,221 | +8.0% |
| Median home value | $139,200 | $154,700 | +11.1% |
How Shively 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shively Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 631,818 | $66,849 | 15.8% | $233,900 |
| Jeffersontown | 29,199 | $81,506 | 6.5% | $250,700 |
| St. Matthews | 17,577 | $82,412 | 7.2% | $338,000 |
| Lyndon | 11,030 | $65,679 | 9.2% | $276,800 |
| Middletown | 9,763 | $82,537 | 9.1% | $336,000 |
| Douglass Hills | 5,474 | $78,482 | 6.4% | $346,300 |
| Hurstbourne | 4,702 | $116,094 | 5.5% | $542,600 |
| Prospect | 4,542 | $163,462 | 2.4% | $538,400 |
| Indian Hills | 2,897 | $192,000 | 2.5% | $699,200 |
| Graymoor-Devondale | 2,802 | $96,667 | 5.6% | $338,000 |
Cities Similar to Shively
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berea | 15,786 | $59,495 | $199,900 | 27.2% | 17.8% |
| Glasgow | 15,197 | $43,074 | $173,900 | 22.4% | 21.9% |
| Danville | 17,327 | $52,646 | $207,600 | 26.5% | 17.4% |
| Bardstown | 13,804 | $51,381 | $203,500 | 26.7% | 14.7% |
| Newport | 13,967 | $60,853 | $217,600 | 36.3% | 20.8% |
Population Overview
Shively is a small city located in Kentucky, within Jefferson County. The total population is 15,638. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shively is 47.5 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shively is $50,221. This is 21% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.7%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $154,700. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 61.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shively is Black or African American, making up 58.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (34.6%) is well below the state average of 81.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (58.2% vs 7.5%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
13.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 86.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shively, 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 Shively, Kentucky?
Shively, Kentucky has a population of 15,638 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shively, KY?
The median household income in Shively is $50,221, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shively, KY?
The poverty rate in Shively is 14.7%. This means approximately 2,250 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shively, Kentucky?
Shively's population is 34.6% White, 58.2% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shively, KY?
The median home value in Shively is $154,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Shively, Kentucky?
13.9% of adults (25+) in Shively hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.