Wheelwright, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wheelwright, Kentucky had a total population of 964, the 250th largest city in Kentucky. The poverty rate is 40.7%.
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 (40.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Wheelwright Quick Facts
How Wheelwright 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 | 945 | 964 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $85,700 | $72,000 | -16.0% |
How Wheelwright 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+)
Wheelwright Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Floyd County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prestonsburg | 3,765 | $25,746 | 45.3% | $161,300 |
| McDowell | 718 | $14,474 | 72.4% | $73,100 |
| Auxier | 651 | $116,991 | 5.4% | $110,600 |
| Betsy Layne | 557 | $31,838 | 34.3% | N/A |
| Martin | 494 | $30,682 | 39.7% | N/A |
| Wayland | 316 | $28,333 | 48.3% | $40,500 |
| Dwale | 170 | N/A | 28.2% | N/A |
| Allen | 157 | $36,250 | 23.1% | $77,500 |
| Maytown | 11 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wheelwright
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitley City | 963 | $33,719 | $116,700 | 0.6% | 51.1% |
| Perryville | 970 | $62,552 | $144,800 | 30.4% | 10.8% |
| Hanson | 958 | $95,903 | $141,500 | 22.9% | 7.6% |
| Rolling Hills | 982 | $84,375 | $275,300 | 47.5% | 18.1% |
| Goshen | 989 | $88,188 | $307,200 | 51.7% | 3.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 964, Wheelwright'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
Wheelwright is a small community located in Kentucky, within Floyd County. The total population is 964. It ranks as the 250th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wheelwright is 38.7 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 40.7%. This is 154% 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 6.7%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $72,000. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $205,600. 73.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wheelwright has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 9.4%.
Education
9.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 74.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wheelwright, 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 Wheelwright, Kentucky?
Wheelwright, Kentucky has a population of 964 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wheelwright, KY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Wheelwright — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wheelwright, KY?
The poverty rate in Wheelwright is 40.7%. This means approximately 239 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wheelwright, Kentucky?
Wheelwright's population is 85.1% White, 9.4% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wheelwright, KY?
The median home value in Wheelwright is $72,000.
How educated is Wheelwright, Kentucky?
9.1% of adults (25+) in Wheelwright hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.