Population 16,867 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in McCreary County
Household size in McCreary County
| Period | McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.58 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.65 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.60 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.53 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in McCreary County run a little small, averaging 2.53 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.58, in line with the national trend. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the southeast.
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 McCreary County
| Period | McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.1 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.4 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.6 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
At 40.6, the median age in McCreary County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 37.1 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the north and 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 McCreary County
| Period | McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.6% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.8% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in eight households in McCreary County (11.8%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.7 points, as it has nationally.
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 McCreary County
Renters in McCreary County
| Period | McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.2% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.9% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.8% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over a quarter of households in McCreary County rent their homes (25.8%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. About six in ten owners (59.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 McCreary County
| Period | McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.0% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.8% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 18.5% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.0% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in McCreary County: 15.0% 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 has edged down 1.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 McCreary County
| Period | McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in McCreary County is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1987, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the west has the oldest housing.
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 McCreary County
| Period | McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $435 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $603 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $548 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $584 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$149 | +$367 | +$606 |
The median renter in McCreary County pays $584 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $149 a month from 2006–10, a 34% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 34.0% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the west; 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 McCreary County
Bachelor's degrees in McCreary County
| Period | McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.9% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.7% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 7.8% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.5% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in McCreary County: 10.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 1.6 points, a smaller shift than nationally. Few Kentucky counties have a lower share of college graduates: only eight of 120.
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 McCreary County
| Period | McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 64.0% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 70.8% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 77.1% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.6% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.6 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in McCreary County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 14.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Kentucky's 120 counties, only 11 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 McCreary County
| Period | McCreary County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.4% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 19.0% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.4% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −11.1 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.4%, unemployment in McCreary County is the same as the national rate. Unemployment is down 11.1 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. 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).
McCreary 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCreary County | 2.53 | 40.6 | 11.8% | 25.8% | 15.0% | 1987 | $584 | 10.5% | 78.6% | 5.4% |
| Whitley County | 2.65 | 35.4 | 15.1% | 33.2% | 14.1% | 1987 | $797 | 20.5% | 84.8% | 6.1% |
| Wayne County | 2.43 | 43.3 | 10.7% | 30.9% | 16.8% | 1982 | $736 | 14.6% | 81.1% | 5.3% |
| Clinton County | 2.37 | 41.6 | 9.5% | 28.9% | 19.0% | 1983 | $647 | 17.4% | 77.4% | 5.5% |
| Bell County | 2.34 | 39.9 | 14.5% | 41.2% | 14.0% | 1980 | $624 | 18.0% | 80.3% | 9.6% |
| Cumberland County | 2.44 | 43.5 | 9.9% | 24.5% | 22.5% | 1986 | $525 | 20.1% | 82.4% | 3.5% |
| Harlan County | 2.38 | 41.3 | 13.2% | 28.4% | 17.4% | 1976 | $705 | 13.8% | 81.7% | 9.8% |
| Monroe County | 2.43 | 40.4 | 14.4% | 29.1% | 12.5% | 1979 | $709 | 17.8% | 86.3% | 3.7% |
| Lee County | 2.43 | 45.9 | 11.7% | 27.0% | 19.6% | 1977 | $769 | 16.0% | 83.0% | 8.1% |
| Allen County | 2.67 | 41.6 | 10.8% | 25.5% | 13.9% | 1989 | $871 | 17.6% | 86.7% | 7.8% |
| Scott County | 2.28 | 47.8 | 10.5% | 23.0% | 22.0% | 1976 | $700 | 15.0% | 84.3% | 3.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: McDonald County, MO · Page County, VA · Pacific County, WA · Owen County, IN · Menominee County, MI · Meigs County, OH · Meeker County, MN · McNairy County, TN · McDuffie County, GA · Panola 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 McCreary 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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