Population 10,425 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Metcalfe County
Household size in Metcalfe County
| Period | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.47 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.54 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.45 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.56 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.09 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Metcalfe County has 2.56 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. That is in line with the rest of Kentucky. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.47, 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 Metcalfe County
| Period | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.0 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.4 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.4 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.4 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Metcalfe County is 42.4 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 42.0, a smaller shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the center.
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 Metcalfe County
| Period | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.1% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.1% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Metcalfe County than nationally: 9.6%, against 11.6%. Metcalfe County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Kentucky counties.
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 Metcalfe County
Renters in Metcalfe County
| Period | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.9% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.6% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.3% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 22.3% of households in Metcalfe County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly two-thirds of owners (63.9%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 1.4 points, mirroring the country.
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 Metcalfe County
| Period | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.5% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.3% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.3% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.3% of the housing in Metcalfe County, 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 fallen 2.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Metcalfe County
| Period | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1988 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Metcalfe County is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1988, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the southwest.
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 Metcalfe County
| Period | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $506 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $550 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $515 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $599 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$93 | +$367 | +$606 |
The median renter in Metcalfe County pays $599 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $93 a month from 2006–10, an 18% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.8% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Few Kentucky counties have lower rents: only 11 of 120.
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 Metcalfe County
Bachelor's degrees in Metcalfe County
| Period | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.1% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.8% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Metcalfe County: 12.8% 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 5.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the south.
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 Metcalfe County
| Period | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 67.1% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 74.0% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 74.7% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.6% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +21.5 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Metcalfe County have finished high school as nationally: 88.6%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 21.5 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Metcalfe County
| Period | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.1%, unemployment in Metcalfe County is close to 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).
Metcalfe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metcalfe County | 2.56 | 42.4 | 9.6% | 22.3% | 14.3% | 1988 | $599 | 12.8% | 88.6% | 5.1% |
| Barren County | 2.52 | 40.5 | 15.7% | 34.8% | 10.8% | 1985 | $815 | 18.5% | 86.5% | 3.9% |
| Russell County | 2.41 | 41.6 | 15.3% | 29.2% | 19.0% | 1989 | $667 | 15.1% | 82.2% | 6.2% |
| Warren County | 2.58 | 35.2 | 11.5% | 44.4% | 8.3% | 1991 | $1,076 | 31.2% | 87.4% | 4.3% |
| Wayne County | 2.43 | 43.3 | 10.7% | 30.9% | 16.8% | 1982 | $736 | 14.6% | 81.1% | 5.3% |
| Pulaski County | 2.50 | 42.8 | 11.8% | 27.5% | 15.7% | 1985 | $840 | 18.3% | 86.0% | 5.0% |
| Logan County | 2.55 | 41.8 | 7.5% | 25.7% | 12.8% | 1978 | $798 | 16.5% | 86.5% | 5.6% |
| Whitley County | 2.65 | 35.4 | 15.1% | 33.2% | 14.1% | 1987 | $797 | 20.5% | 84.8% | 6.1% |
| Todd County | 2.73 | 37.5 | 9.3% | 24.0% | 12.2% | 1985 | $834 | 17.8% | 81.6% | 3.7% |
| Laurel County | 2.65 | 40.7 | 13.0% | 28.4% | 11.1% | 1991 | $832 | 17.2% | 84.4% | 4.0% |
| Knox County | 2.54 | 40.2 | 15.6% | 34.7% | 14.2% | 1985 | $703 | 14.1% | 76.8% | 8.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Red Willow County, NE · Jackson County, SD · Jackson County, TN · Jackson County, TX · Jackson Parish, LA · Jasper County, IL · Jasper County, MS · Jefferson County, KS · Ransom County, ND · Rappahannock County, VA
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 Metcalfe 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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