South Shore, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Shore, Kentucky had a total population of 1,642, the 193rd largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $29,340, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 23.0% is notably above the national average.
South Shore Quick Facts
How South Shore 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 | 1,561 | 1,642 | +5.2% |
| Median household income | $29,000 | $29,340 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $85,900 | $89,200 | +3.8% |
How South Shore 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+)
South Shore Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Greenup County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flatwoods | 7,269 | $59,972 | 18.4% | $114,600 |
| Russell | 3,676 | $76,182 | 4.7% | $211,900 |
| Raceland | 2,265 | $57,222 | 23.2% | $128,400 |
| Worthington | 1,759 | $65,609 | 12.0% | $133,200 |
| Bellefonte | 1,419 | $117,250 | 9.9% | $282,600 |
| Wurtland | 1,154 | $60,972 | 24.5% | $95,000 |
| Greenup | 813 | $40,313 | 15.9% | $143,000 |
Cities Similar to South Shore
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 1,672 | $28,704 | $122,300 | 10.6% | 32.1% |
| Whitesburg | 1,761 | $29,189 | $111,700 | 19.8% | 37.5% |
| Vanceburg | 1,482 | $30,054 | $90,600 | 9.9% | 39.6% |
| Guthrie | 1,559 | $35,952 | $134,200 | 11.1% | 33.0% |
| Owingsville | 1,621 | $40,053 | $118,300 | 17.4% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
South Shore is a small community located in Kentucky, within Greenup County. The total population is 1,642. It ranks as the 193rd most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Shore is 41.1 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Shore is $29,340. This is 54% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 64% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 44% 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 23.0%. This is 373% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $89,200. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 59.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
South Shore has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 7.5%.
Education
8.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Shore, 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 South Shore, Kentucky?
South Shore, Kentucky has a population of 1,642 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Shore, KY?
The median household income in South Shore is $29,340, which is 64% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Shore, KY?
The poverty rate in South Shore is 23.1%. This means approximately 368 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Shore, Kentucky?
South Shore's population is 93.8% White, 0.7% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Shore, KY?
The median home value in South Shore is $89,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is South Shore, Kentucky?
8.8% of adults (25+) in South Shore hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.