Population 10,825 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Middlesboro
Household size in Middlesboro
| Period | Middlesboro | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.46 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.38 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.40 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.25 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.21 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Middlesboro is a place of small households, averaging 2.25 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.46, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 12 of the 146 Kentucky cities with 5,000+ people have smaller households.
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 Middlesboro
| Period | Middlesboro | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.0 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.0 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.0 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.0 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Middlesboro are younger than 40.0 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. Residents skew youngest in the north 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 Middlesboro
| Period | Middlesboro | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.8% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.0% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.9% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Middlesboro (13.9%), above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 2.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than 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 Middlesboro
Renters in Middlesboro
| Period | Middlesboro | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.8% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 40.3% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.7% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 45.2% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Middlesboro than nationally: 45.2% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 61.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 6.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 146 Kentucky cities with 5,000+ people, only 12 have a higher share of renters.
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 Middlesboro
| Period | Middlesboro | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.9% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.4% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.7% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.4% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
More homes sit empty in Middlesboro than nationally: 12.4%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.4 points, 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 Middlesboro
| Period | Middlesboro | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1970 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1980 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Middlesboro was built around 1980, the same vintage as the country's housing overall. The median year built has moved up from 1969 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the center 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 Middlesboro
| Period | Middlesboro | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $402 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $490 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $606 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $653 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$251 | +$367 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Middlesboro costs $653 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $251 a month from 2006–10, a 62% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 36.2% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the center; the most affordable are in the northwest.
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 Middlesboro
Bachelor's degrees in Middlesboro
| Period | Middlesboro | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.5% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.4% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.9% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.4 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Middlesboro: 21.9% 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 9.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the west.
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 Middlesboro
| Period | Middlesboro | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 67.0% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 68.0% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 70.8% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 81.2% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.1 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in five adults in Middlesboro never finished high school, well above the national share: only 81.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 14.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Middlesboro has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Kentucky cities.
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 Middlesboro
| Period | Middlesboro | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.1% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.7% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Middlesboro: 8.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 146 Kentucky cities with 5,000+ people, only eight have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 4.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
Middlesboro 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesboro | 2.25 | 40.0 | 13.9% | 45.2% | 12.4% | 1980 | $653 | 21.9% | 81.2% | 8.7% |
| Meldrum | 2.06 | 37.3 | 8.2% | 56.1% | 21.2% | 1990 | $429 | 12.1% | 84.7% | 25.2% |
| Cumberland Gap | 2.23 | 30.5 | 6.3% | 38.2% | 16.1% | 1986 | $931 | 26.2% | 85.8% | 2.8% |
| Clear Creek Springs | 2.35 | 46.5 | 16.8% | 49.4% | 18.4% | 1981 | $604 | 17.1% | 83.5% | 14.9% |
| Davisburg | 2.27 | 46.5 | 16.1% | 47.1% | 19.7% | 1980 | $580 | 15.3% | 81.4% | 12.8% |
| Colmar | 1.90 | 43.5 | 6.5% | 41.3% | 31.0% | 1985 | $468 | 7.7% | 79.8% | 22.5% |
| Harrogate | 2.17 | 44.9 | 9.3% | 33.3% | 13.3% | 1982 | $853 | 22.5% | 87.2% | 6.7% |
| Hutch | 1.94 | 41.9 | 6.2% | 43.9% | 29.7% | 1985 | $466 | 7.5% | 80.4% | 24.7% |
| East Pineville | 2.84 | 30.8 | 16.8% | 25.6% | 11.3% | 1987 | $570 | 26.3% | 85.2% | 14.5% |
| Chenoa | 2.29 | 44.9 | 8.0% | 4.7% | 15.0% | 1985 | $601 | 3.1% | 83.8% | 6.2% |
| Wasioto | 2.48 | 43.0 | 16.8% | 43.2% | 16.5% | 1983 | $610 | 20.0% | 84.3% | 15.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Pennington, NJ · Monett, MO · Montevallo, AL · Montgomery, OH · Montoursville, PA · Moulton, AL · Mount Sinai, NY · Mount Vernon, IN · Mountain City, TN · Parsons, KS
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 Middlesboro. 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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