Population 448 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Emerson
Household size in Emerson
| Period | Emerson | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.73 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.26 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.59 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.49 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.24 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Emerson has 2.49 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. The picture is much the same across Kentucky. Household size has dropped from 2.73 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
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 Emerson
| Period | Emerson | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.4 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.9 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.3 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.1 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.7 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
Emerson skews older: half of its residents are older than 49.1, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families.
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 Emerson
| Period | Emerson | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.8% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.4% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.3% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.9% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 1.9% of households in Emerson, well below the national share of 11.6%.
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 Emerson
Renters in Emerson
| Period | Emerson | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.0% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.2% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 16.4% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +13.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 16.4% of households in Emerson rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly nine in ten owners (87.0%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 Emerson
| Period | Emerson | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.3% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.1% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.1% of the housing in Emerson, 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.
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 Emerson
| Period | Emerson | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1995 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +13 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Emerson is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1995, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole.
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 Emerson
| Period | Emerson | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $442 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $515 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $462 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $636 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$194 | +$367 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Emerson costs $636 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 22.3% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Emerson
Bachelor's degrees in Emerson
| Period | Emerson | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.0% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.4% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Emerson: 10.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
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 Emerson
| Period | Emerson | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.1% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.3% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 76.8% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.1% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +28.0 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Emerson never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S.
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 Emerson
| Period | Emerson | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.7% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Emerson: 8.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
Emerson compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson | 2.49 | 49.1 | 1.9% | 16.4% | 14.1% | 1995 | $636 | 10.4% | 86.1% | 8.8% |
| Wesleyville | 2.34 | 48.1 | 10.3% | 13.1% | 19.8% | 1986 | $450 | 22.3% | 88.9% | 14.9% |
| Smoky Valley | 2.47 | 46.8 | 16.3% | 10.0% | 20.9% | 1979 | $903 | 18.2% | 85.3% | 12.0% |
| Fitch | 2.56 | 44.1 | 6.9% | 8.2% | 13.3% | 1992 | $653 | 19.4% | 85.6% | 4.0% |
| Harris | 2.74 | 41.6 | 2.0% | 14.1% | 19.2% | 1993 | $557 | 10.1% | 80.8% | 5.0% |
| Olive Hill | 2.42 | 44.2 | 6.1% | 13.7% | 14.7% | 1983 | $610 | 13.8% | 80.9% | 5.7% |
| Prater | 2.38 | 48.1 | 12.5% | 12.4% | 17.7% | 1980 | $981 | 17.9% | 87.2% | 7.3% |
| Stricklett | 2.73 | 42.0 | 2.0% | 14.3% | 19.0% | 1993 | $557 | 10.1% | 81.1% | 5.2% |
| Smiths Creek | 2.47 | 40.9 | 15.6% | 12.3% | 16.7% | 1984 | $701 | 22.9% | 81.9% | 12.4% |
| Waltz | 2.73 | 42.6 | 7.6% | 5.2% | 15.0% | 1991 | $706 | 20.8% | 85.5% | 4.3% |
| Counts Crossroads | 2.61 | 38.6 | 1.8% | 19.0% | 10.8% | 1977 | $956 | 14.0% | 92.8% | 1.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: New Liberty, IA · Mount Carmel, SC · Mount Salem, KY · Mount Salem, NJ · Mountain Glen, IL · Mullin, TX · Nehawka, NE · Nespelem Community, WA · New Buffalo, PA · Mottville, NY
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 Emerson. 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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