Summer Shade, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Summer Shade, Kentucky had a total population of 532, the 341st largest community in Kentucky. The poverty rate is 55.8%.
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 (55.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Summer Shade Quick Facts
How Summer Shade 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 | 295 | 532 | +80.3% |
How Summer Shade 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+)
Summer Shade Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Metcalfe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton | 2,330 | $51,272 | 26.5% | $104,000 |
Cities Similar to Summer Shade
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverwood | 527 | $226,250 | $671,200 | 86.5% | 1.7% |
| Pathfork | 542 | $49,571 | N/A | 34.9% | 21.1% |
| Sharpsburg | 519 | $30,917 | $84,300 | 3.6% | 24.7% |
| Butler | 515 | $45,341 | $158,200 | 9.5% | 35.7% |
| Garrison | 552 | $29,500 | $66,600 | 11.4% | 54.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 532, Summer Shade's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Summer Shade is a small community located in Kentucky, within Metcalfe County. The total population is 532. It ranks as the 341st most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Summer Shade is 32.6 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 55.8%. This is 248% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Summer Shade, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $113,400. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $205,600. 76.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Summer Shade 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
7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 85.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Summer Shade, 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 Summer Shade, Kentucky?
Summer Shade, Kentucky has a population of 532 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Summer Shade, KY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Summer Shade — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Summer Shade, KY?
The poverty rate in Summer Shade is 55.8%. This means approximately 297 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Summer Shade, Kentucky?
Summer Shade's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Summer Shade, KY?
The median home value in Summer Shade is $113,400.
How educated is Summer Shade, Kentucky?
7.1% of adults (25+) in Summer Shade hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.