Stearns, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stearns, Kentucky had a total population of 1,271, the 217th largest community in Kentucky, with a median household income of $55,931, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Stearns Quick Facts
How Stearns 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 | 1,509 | 1,271 | -15.8% |
| Median household income | $36,964 | $55,931 | +51.3% |
How Stearns 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+)
Stearns Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in McCreary County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Knot | 1,051 | N/A | 52.9% | N/A |
| Whitley City | 963 | $33,719 | 51.1% | $116,700 |
Cities Similar to Stearns
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hebron Estates | 1,276 | $54,861 | $290,200 | 17.3% | 13.2% |
| Hawesville | 1,188 | $50,000 | $153,100 | 19.8% | 29.8% |
| Irvington | 1,327 | $47,500 | $116,700 | 4.4% | 27.1% |
| Bloomfield | 1,124 | $55,063 | $182,100 | 24.3% | 10.9% |
| Wurtland | 1,154 | $60,972 | $95,000 | 16.3% | 24.5% |
Population Overview
Stearns is a small community located in Kentucky, within McCreary County. The total population is 1,271. It ranks as the 217th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stearns is 38.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.1 years. 13.5% 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 Stearns is $55,931. This is 12% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.2%. This is 107% 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 7.3%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $160,700. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Stearns is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Stearns was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
36.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 83.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stearns, 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 Stearns, Kentucky?
Stearns, Kentucky has a population of 1,271 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stearns, KY?
The median household income in Stearns is $55,931, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stearns, KY?
The poverty rate in Stearns is 33.2%. This means approximately 420 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stearns, Kentucky?
Stearns's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stearns, KY?
The median home value in Stearns is $160,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Stearns, Kentucky?
36.2% of adults (25+) in Stearns hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.