Van Lear, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Van Lear, Kentucky had a total population of 443, the 367th largest community in Kentucky, with a median household income of $35,347, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Van Lear Quick Facts
How Van Lear 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 | 520 | 443 | -14.8% |
| Median household income | $32,895 | $35,347 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $77,500 | $81,100 | +4.6% |
How Van Lear 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+)
Van Lear Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Johnson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintsville | 4,203 | $28,257 | 32.9% | $116,100 |
| West Van Lear | 1,155 | $66,815 | 3.5% | $135,300 |
Cities Similar to Van Lear
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley | 448 | N/A | $518,600 | 0.0% | 3.4% |
| Payne Gap | 440 | $36,250 | N/A | 3.3% | 15.0% |
| Sandy Hook | 456 | N/A | $132,100 | 11.4% | 45.1% |
| Virgie | 424 | N/A | $209,200 | 7.0% | 38.9% |
| Maceo | 418 | N/A | $145,500 | 0.0% | 2.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 443, Van Lear'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
Van Lear is a small community located in Kentucky, within Johnson County. The total population is 443. It ranks as the 367th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Van Lear is 43.7 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Van Lear is $35,347. This is 45% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.1%. This is 50% 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 Van Lear, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $81,100. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Van Lear is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Van Lear has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 10.2%.
Education
20.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Van Lear, 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 Van Lear, Kentucky?
Van Lear, Kentucky has a population of 443 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Van Lear, KY?
The median household income in Van Lear is $35,347, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Van Lear, KY?
The poverty rate in Van Lear is 24.1%. This means approximately 107 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Van Lear, Kentucky?
Van Lear's population is 86.2% White, 10.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Van Lear, KY?
The median home value in Van Lear is $81,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Van Lear, Kentucky?
20.9% of adults (25+) in Van Lear hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.