Population 13,086 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Jackson County
Household size in Jackson County
| Period | Jackson County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.36 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.35 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.42 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.59 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.23 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
At 2.59 people per household, Jackson County sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in Kentucky overall, where it has 2.51 people. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.36, even as the national average fell.
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 Jackson County
| Period | Jackson County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.3 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.1 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.7 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.3 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Jackson County are younger than 41.3 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 39.3 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the southwest.
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 Jackson County
| Period | Jackson County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.6% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.5% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.7% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.2% of households in Jackson County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 4.4 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Kentucky's 120 counties, only ten have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 Jackson County
Renters in Jackson County
| Period | Jackson County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.0% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.9% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.8% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.6% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 22.6% of households in Jackson County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Just over half of owners (51.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the north and least common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 1.4 points, even as the national share rose.
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 Jackson County
| Period | Jackson County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.0% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.3% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.8% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
More homes sit empty in Jackson County than nationally: 12.8%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 0.7 points, 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 Jackson County
| Period | Jackson County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +5 | +6 |
Jackson County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1991, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Few Kentucky counties have newer homes: only 11 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 Jackson County
| Period | Jackson County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $500 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $463 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $529 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $788 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$288 | +$367 | +$606 |
Rent in Jackson County runs $788 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $288 a month since 2006–10, up 58%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 22.5% 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 Jackson County
Bachelor's degrees in Jackson County
| Period | Jackson County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.6% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Jackson County: 9.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 1.5 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of Kentucky's 120 counties, only two have a lower share of college graduates.
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 Jackson County
| Period | Jackson County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.5% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 70.0% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 74.1% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 76.2% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +13.7 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly a quarter of adults in Jackson County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 76.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 13.7 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only seven of Kentucky's 120 counties have a lower 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 Jackson County
| Period | Jackson County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.1% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.2% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.4% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −8.7 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Jackson County runs below the national rate: 4.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 8.7 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. 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).
Jackson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 2.59 | 41.3 | 8.2% | 22.6% | 12.8% | 1991 | $788 | 9.5% | 76.2% | 4.4% |
| Owsley County | 2.51 | 47.4 | 8.9% | 29.9% | 23.4% | 1991 | $515 | 7.4% | 68.5% | 14.3% |
| Rockcastle County | 2.45 | 43.8 | 10.4% | 25.7% | 11.8% | 1988 | $703 | 14.4% | 83.9% | 4.7% |
| Lee County | 2.40 | 43.4 | 11.9% | 22.3% | 17.2% | 1985 | $548 | 9.2% | 75.6% | 5.8% |
| Breathitt County | 2.40 | 43.4 | 12.1% | 23.4% | 16.9% | 1990 | $577 | 16.2% | 80.7% | 9.3% |
| Lincoln County | 2.54 | 41.2 | 14.4% | 23.6% | 11.3% | 1987 | $765 | 15.7% | 83.4% | 7.1% |
| Casey County | 2.40 | 43.8 | 10.7% | 20.3% | 13.3% | 1984 | $655 | 12.4% | 79.8% | 8.6% |
| Knott County | 2.49 | 43.8 | 12.8% | 27.3% | 17.9% | 1983 | $780 | 20.7% | 73.4% | 9.4% |
| Floyd County | 2.37 | 42.7 | 11.8% | 27.8% | 16.5% | 1982 | $736 | 16.3% | 81.4% | 8.3% |
| Marion County | 2.50 | 40.7 | 12.6% | 22.3% | 9.4% | 1985 | $717 | 15.6% | 87.3% | 4.0% |
| Taylor County | 2.54 | 37.9 | 11.3% | 31.2% | 9.0% | 1982 | $745 | 22.1% | 87.8% | 6.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Goshen County, WY · Freestone County, TX · Fremont County, IA · Fremont County, ID · Frio County, TX · Fulton County, AR · Fulton County, KY · Glacier County, MT · Goliad County, TX · Gonzales County, TX
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 Jackson 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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