Population 12,618 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Caldwell County
Household size in Caldwell County
| Period | Caldwell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.44 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.47 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Caldwell County run small, averaging 2.47 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Kentucky as a whole looks much the same. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the south.
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 Caldwell County
| Period | Caldwell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.4 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.8 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.7 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.0 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.6 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Caldwell County is 44.0 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has crept up from 43.4 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Only 11 of Kentucky's 120 counties are older.
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 Caldwell County
| Period | Caldwell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.3% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.9% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Caldwell County (12.9%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 6.2 points, even as the national share fell.
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 Caldwell County
Renters in Caldwell County
| Period | Caldwell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.3% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.6% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.6% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 29.8% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
About three in ten households in Caldwell County rent their homes (29.8%), a little below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Just over half of owners (52.2%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southeast. The renter share has risen 6.5 points since 2006–10, 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 Caldwell County
| Period | Caldwell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.4% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.5% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.9% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.5% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Caldwell County: 18.5% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 1.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Caldwell County
| Period | Caldwell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1966 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1974 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +5 | +6 |
Housing in Caldwell County leans a little older: the median home dates to 1974, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1966 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the center has the oldest housing. Few Kentucky counties have older homes: only five of 120.
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 Caldwell County
| Period | Caldwell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $539 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $592 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $587 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $770 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$231 | +$367 | +$606 |
The median renter in Caldwell County pays $770 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $231 a month from 2006–10, a 43% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 22.9% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northwest; the most affordable are in the southeast.
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 Caldwell County
Bachelor's degrees in Caldwell County
| Period | Caldwell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.0% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.3% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.7% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.7% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Caldwell County: 17.7% 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 2.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Caldwell County
| Period | Caldwell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.0% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.1% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.1% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.9% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.9 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Caldwell County is a bit above the national rate: 90.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 7.9 points, mirroring the country.
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 Caldwell County
| Period | Caldwell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Caldwell County runs below the national rate: 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.0 points, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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).
Caldwell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell County | 2.47 | 44.0 | 12.9% | 29.8% | 18.5% | 1974 | $770 | 17.7% | 90.9% | 3.6% |
| Lyon County | 2.16 | 47.7 | 6.0% | 19.6% | 26.4% | 1987 | $961 | 16.4% | 88.8% | 2.9% |
| Livingston County | 2.49 | 44.8 | 11.8% | 18.8% | 20.2% | 1980 | $830 | 14.6% | 91.4% | 4.0% |
| Muhlenberg County | 2.47 | 43.4 | 10.8% | 21.2% | 12.6% | 1979 | $757 | 14.6% | 84.4% | 5.7% |
| McCracken County | 2.44 | 43.2 | 10.2% | 31.1% | 14.8% | 1977 | $974 | 28.0% | 93.5% | 3.4% |
| Massac County | 2.55 | 43.9 | 12.5% | 23.6% | 19.1% | 1975 | $757 | 17.1% | 90.6% | 4.4% |
| Ballard County | 2.37 | 43.9 | 8.2% | 24.0% | 12.8% | 1982 | $789 | 18.4% | 93.7% | 1.5% |
| Butler County | 2.70 | 40.5 | 9.0% | 26.3% | 15.6% | 1986 | $717 | 9.7% | 81.1% | 4.6% |
| Pulaski County | 2.49 | 44.6 | 12.8% | 31.8% | 28.1% | 1971 | $679 | 13.7% | 87.0% | 3.4% |
| Alexander County | 2.48 | 49.3 | 10.1% | 22.4% | 33.9% | 1971 | $638 | 12.4% | 88.2% | 5.4% |
| Edmonson County | 2.41 | 45.9 | 8.2% | 19.9% | 16.3% | 1991 | $770 | 10.8% | 83.4% | 8.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Vieques Municipio, PR · Arroyo Municipio, PR · Ashley County, AR · Atchison County, MO · Atoka County, OK · Attala County, MS · Aurora County, SD · Bacon County, GA · Bailey County, TX · Baker County, OR
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 Caldwell 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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