Population 7,654 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Ballard County
Household size in Ballard County
| Period | Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.46 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.49 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.56 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.37 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.09 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Ballard County is a place of small households, averaging 2.37 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has edged down from 2.46 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Kentucky's 120 counties, only ten have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Ballard County
| Period | Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.7 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.5 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.9 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Ballard County is 43.9 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 42.7, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the east, the oldest in the west.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Ballard County
| Period | Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.6% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Ballard County: 8.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Few Kentucky counties have a lower share of single-parent households: only eight of 120.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Ballard County
Renters in Ballard County
| Period | Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.7% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.3% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.0% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.0% of households in Ballard County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 49.9% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the northeast; owners are most common in the south. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 7.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Ballard County
| Period | Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.6% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.9% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.8% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs high in Ballard County: 12.8% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has fallen 2.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Ballard County
| Period | Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Ballard County was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1974 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, the oldest in the north.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Ballard County
| Period | Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $658 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $628 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $721 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $789 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$131 | +$367 | +$606 |
The median renter in Ballard County pays $789 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $131 a month from 2006–10, a 20% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 22.7% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the northeast; the most affordable are in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Ballard County
Bachelor's degrees in Ballard County
| Period | Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.0% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.4% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.5 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Ballard County: 18.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 7.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the southwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Ballard County
| Period | Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.5% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.8% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.4% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.7% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.2 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Ballard County is above the national rate: 93.7% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 12.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of Kentucky's 120 counties, only three have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Ballard County
| Period | Ballard County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.4% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.6% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.5% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.7 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Ballard County has been low: just 1.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Kentucky county has lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 6.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Ballard County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballard County | 2.37 | 43.9 | 8.2% | 24.0% | 12.8% | 1982 | $789 | 18.4% | 93.7% | 1.5% |
| Pulaski County | 2.49 | 44.6 | 12.8% | 31.8% | 28.1% | 1971 | $679 | 13.7% | 87.0% | 3.4% |
| Massac County | 2.55 | 43.9 | 12.5% | 23.6% | 19.1% | 1975 | $757 | 17.1% | 90.6% | 4.4% |
| McCracken County | 2.44 | 43.2 | 10.2% | 31.1% | 14.8% | 1977 | $974 | 28.0% | 93.5% | 3.4% |
| Alexander County | 2.48 | 49.3 | 10.1% | 22.4% | 33.9% | 1971 | $638 | 12.4% | 88.2% | 5.4% |
| Scott County | 2.53 | 39.6 | 15.4% | 28.9% | 9.0% | 1975 | $898 | 21.4% | 87.1% | 3.0% |
| Livingston County | 2.49 | 44.8 | 11.8% | 18.8% | 20.2% | 1980 | $830 | 14.6% | 91.4% | 4.0% |
| Lyon County | 2.16 | 47.7 | 6.0% | 19.6% | 26.4% | 1987 | $961 | 16.4% | 88.8% | 2.9% |
| Caldwell County | 2.47 | 44.0 | 12.9% | 29.8% | 18.5% | 1974 | $770 | 17.7% | 90.9% | 3.6% |
| Wayne County | 2.34 | 46.3 | 7.5% | 24.9% | 23.2% | 1980 | $645 | 13.2% | 81.1% | 6.4% |
| Carter County | 2.59 | 40.9 | 18.4% | 39.3% | 22.2% | 1984 | $575 | 10.1% | 81.2% | 3.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Torrance County, NM · Pushmataha County, OK · Emmons County, ND · Culebra Municipio, PR · Essex County, VT · Storey County, NV · Potter County, PA · Poquoson City, VA · Franklin City, VA · Bear Lake County, ID
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Ballard County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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