St. Matthews, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Matthews, Kentucky had a total population of 17,577, the 26th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $82,412, which is 29% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 58.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Kentucky.
St. Matthews Quick Facts
How St. Matthews 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 | 17,491 | 17,577 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $80,716 | $82,412 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $325,700 | $338,000 | +3.8% |
How St. Matthews 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+)
St. Matthews 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 |
| Shively | 15,638 | $50,221 | 14.7% | $154,700 |
| 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 St. Matthews
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelbyville | 17,668 | $75,610 | $257,100 | 26.7% | 14.5% |
| Mount Washington | 18,480 | $96,239 | $268,200 | 26.1% | 5.3% |
| Fort Thomas | 17,169 | $104,350 | $335,000 | 55.3% | 6.2% |
| Erlanger | 19,875 | $75,840 | $209,000 | 32.0% | 13.7% |
| Burlington | 18,008 | $109,308 | $254,300 | 31.8% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
St. Matthews is a small city located in Kentucky, within Jefferson County. The total population is 17,577. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Matthews is 36.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Matthews is $82,412. This is 29% higher than the state median of $63,726. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.2%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $338,000. Housing costs are 64% higher than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 53.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
St. Matthews has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%.
Education
58.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places St. Matthews in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 113% higher 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 96.3%. Notably, 26.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Matthews, 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 St. Matthews, Kentucky?
St. Matthews, Kentucky has a population of 17,577 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Matthews, KY?
The median household income in St. Matthews is $82,412, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Matthews, KY?
The poverty rate in St. Matthews is 7.2%. This means approximately 1,236 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Matthews, Kentucky?
St. Matthews's population is 85.6% White, 4.1% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Matthews, KY?
The median home value in St. Matthews is $338,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is St. Matthews, Kentucky?
58.7% of adults (25+) in St. Matthews hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.