Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Paducah, KY Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

26,845

Median Agei

41.5

Race & Ethnicityi

White

69.7%18,707

Black

19.2%5,155

Two or More

5.6%1,506

Hispanic/Latino

3.1%820

Asian

1.4%385

Other

0.6%170

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.2%61

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%41

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

5.2%1,005

High School Diploma

24.3%4,666

Some College (<1 yr)

8.3%1,592

Some College (1+ yr)

15.8%3,044

Associate's Degree

9.1%1,745

Bachelor's Degree

16.6%3,186

Master's Degree

8.1%1,563

Professional Degree

3.4%650

Doctorate

0.7%129

HS or Higher

91.5%

BA or Higher

28.8%

Graduate+

12.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$165,300

Median Renti

$834

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

55%6,462

Renter-Occupied

45%5,279

Total Units

13,878

Homeownership

55%

Vacancy Rate

15.4%

Home Values

Under $50K

13.1%848

$50K–$100K

15.1%976

$100K–$150K

13.9%897

$150K–$200K

18.4%1,190

$200K–$300K

18.5%1,198

$300K–$500K

15.1%978

$500K–$1M

4%259

$1M+

1.8%116

Rent Distribution

Under $500

941

$500–$750

1,056

$750–$1,000

1,528

$1,000–$1,250

987

$1,250–$1,500

339

$1,500–$2,000

268

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.7%91

2010–2019

7.2%994

2000–2009

6%839

1990–1999

11.3%1,568

1980–1989

7.1%988

1970–1979

14.8%2,057

1960–1969

10.6%1,476

1950–1959

17%2,358

1940–1949

5.7%793

1939 or earlier

19.6%2,714

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

57.4%6,738

Electricity

41.1%4,820

Bottled/LP Gas

0.9%100

Wood

0.3%35

No Fuel

0.2%25

Fuel Oil

0.2%23

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$49,915

Mean Household Incomei

$89,785

Per Capita Incomei

$40,311

Poverty Ratei

21.5%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

13,242

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

8.8%1,038

$10K–$15K

6.7%788

$15K–$20K

3.4%399

$20K–$25K

7.4%866

$25K–$30K

7.8%914

$30K–$35K

4.8%569

$35K–$40K

4.8%567

$40K–$45K

2.8%332

$45K–$50K

3.4%404

$50K–$60K

5.1%597

$60K–$75K

8.6%1,009

$75K–$100K

10.3%1,215

$100K–$125K

7.1%828

$125K–$150K

7.5%883

$150K–$200K

4.7%556

$200K+

6.6%776

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,996

Residentsi

2,644

Avg. Tenant Renti

$343/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

16 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing853 homes77% occupied$350/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers531 homes

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8530 homes95% occupied$321/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC82 homes98% occupied$420/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $49,915/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $15K/yr

75.5%

Very low income$15K–$25K/yr

20.4%

Low income$25K–$40K/yr

2.9%

Moderate / aboveOver $40K/yr

1.2%

Who Receives This Housing

70.9% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

44.5% of subsidized households are minority

36% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

42.7% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

7352.7%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

157

China

India

United Kingdom

Canada

Philippines

Germany

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

12,412

Avg. Commutei

15.7 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

12,696

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,265(5.9% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

94%Insured

6%Uninsured

Paducah, KY Population, Income & Demographics 2026