West Van Lear, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Van Lear, Kentucky had a total population of 1,155, the 224th largest community in Kentucky, with a median household income of $66,815, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.5% — among the lowest in Kentucky.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
West Van Lear Quick Facts
How West 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 | 1,224 | 1,155 | -5.6% |
| Median household income | $78,625 | $66,815 | -15.0% |
| Median home value | $131,100 | $135,300 | +3.2% |
How West 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+)
West 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 |
| Van Lear | 443 | $35,347 | 24.1% | $81,100 |
Cities Similar to West Van Lear
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wurtland | 1,154 | $60,972 | $95,000 | 16.3% | 24.5% |
| Muldraugh | 1,127 | $60,508 | $76,700 | 6.7% | 22.5% |
| Cannonsburg | 1,129 | $76,450 | $179,900 | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| Pine Knot | 1,051 | N/A | N/A | 1.9% | 52.9% |
| Bloomfield | 1,124 | $55,063 | $182,100 | 24.3% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
West Van Lear is a small community located in Kentucky, within Johnson County. The total population is 1,155. It ranks as the 224th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Van Lear is 29.7 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Van Lear is $66,815. This is 5% higher than the state median of $63,726. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.5%. This is 78% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in West Van Lear, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $135,300. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, West Van Lear is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Van Lear has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.8% of all residents. Asian residents account for 4.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.2% vs 1.6%).
Education
17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West 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 West Van Lear, Kentucky?
West Van Lear, Kentucky has a population of 1,155 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Van Lear, KY?
The median household income in West Van Lear is $66,815, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Van Lear, KY?
The poverty rate in West Van Lear is 3.5%. This means approximately 40 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Van Lear, Kentucky?
West Van Lear's population is 95.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Van Lear, KY?
The median home value in West Van Lear is $135,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is West Van Lear, Kentucky?
17.2% of adults (25+) in West Van Lear hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.