Stanford, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stanford, Kentucky had a total population of 3,643, the 110th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $49,337, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Stanford Quick Facts
How Stanford 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 | 3,662 | 3,643 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $55,000 | $49,337 | -10.3% |
| Median home value | $154,000 | $155,000 | +0.6% |
How Stanford 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+)
Stanford Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crab Orchard | 739 | $34,632 | 24.1% | $98,200 |
| Hustonville | 612 | $40,288 | 22.7% | $132,000 |
| McKinney | 28 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Stanford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southgate | 3,717 | $54,421 | $190,800 | 32.9% | 19.8% |
| Beaver Dam | 3,524 | $53,944 | $167,900 | 16.1% | 11.2% |
| Carrollton | 3,915 | $45,871 | $113,200 | 4.6% | 22.8% |
| West Liberty | 3,295 | $48,235 | $206,300 | 14.8% | 17.4% |
| Hodgenville | 3,389 | $57,739 | $151,400 | 13.9% | 19.1% |
Population Overview
Stanford is a small community located in Kentucky, within Lincoln County. The total population is 3,643. It ranks as the 110th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stanford is 49.3 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Stanford is $49,337. This is 23% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $155,000. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 67.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Stanford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stanford, 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 Stanford, Kentucky?
Stanford, Kentucky has a population of 3,643 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stanford, KY?
The median household income in Stanford is $49,337, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stanford, KY?
The poverty rate in Stanford is 12.0%. This means approximately 415 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stanford, Kentucky?
Stanford's population is 87.3% White, 7.8% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stanford, KY?
The median home value in Stanford is $155,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Stanford, Kentucky?
18.4% of adults (25+) in Stanford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.