Population 3,971 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Owsley County
Household size in Owsley County
| Period | Owsley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.93 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.66 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.51 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.42 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Owsley County has 2.51 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. That is in line with the rest of Kentucky. Household size has dropped from 2.93 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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 Owsley County
| Period | Owsley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.6 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.7 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.9 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.4 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.8 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.4, Owsley County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Only one other Kentucky county is older.
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 Owsley County
| Period | Owsley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.1% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.3% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.9% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Owsley County than nationally: 8.9%, against 11.6%. Owsley County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five 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 Owsley County
Renters in Owsley County
| Period | Owsley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.8% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.0% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.6% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 29.9% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +9.1 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Owsley County own their homes; 29.9% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. That is in line with the rest of Kentucky. About seven in ten owners (69.5%) 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 Owsley County
| Period | Owsley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.2% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.5% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 22.6% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.4% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 23.4% of the housing in Owsley 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. Few Kentucky counties have a higher vacancy rate: only two of 120.
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 Owsley County
| Period | Owsley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +14 | +5 | +6 |
Owsley County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1991, versus 1980 nationally. Owsley County has newer homes than the great majority of Kentucky counties.
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 Owsley County
| Period | Owsley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $423 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $454 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $386 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $515 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$92 | +$367 | +$606 |
The median renter in Owsley County pays $515 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 26.1% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Only one other Kentucky county has lower rents.
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 Owsley County
Bachelor's degrees in Owsley County
| Period | Owsley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.3% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.5% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Owsley County: 7.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. No other Kentucky county has 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 Owsley County
| Period | Owsley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 57.4% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 63.6% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 68.9% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 68.5% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.1 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over three in ten adults in Owsley County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 68.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. No other Kentucky county has 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 Owsley County
| Period | Owsley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.3% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.5% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.1% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.3% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.0 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Owsley County: 14.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. No other Kentucky county has higher unemployment. 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).
Owsley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owsley County | 2.51 | 47.4 | 8.9% | 29.9% | 23.4% | 1991 | $515 | 7.4% | 68.5% | 14.3% |
| Lee County | 2.40 | 43.4 | 11.9% | 22.3% | 17.2% | 1985 | $548 | 9.2% | 75.6% | 5.8% |
| Jackson County | 2.59 | 41.3 | 8.2% | 22.6% | 12.8% | 1991 | $788 | 9.5% | 76.2% | 4.4% |
| Breathitt County | 2.40 | 43.4 | 12.1% | 23.4% | 16.9% | 1990 | $577 | 16.2% | 80.7% | 9.3% |
| Rockcastle County | 2.45 | 43.8 | 10.4% | 25.7% | 11.8% | 1988 | $703 | 14.4% | 83.9% | 4.7% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
| Pike County | 2.33 | 42.5 | 9.4% | 24.7% | 15.4% | 1985 | $803 | 18.3% | 82.9% | 4.9% |
| Marion County | 2.50 | 40.7 | 12.6% | 22.3% | 9.4% | 1985 | $717 | 15.6% | 87.3% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Petersburg Census Area, AK · Lyon County, KY · Mackinac County, MI · Macon County, GA · Pawnee County, NE · Pembina County, ND · Pendleton County, WV · Pepin County, WI · Perkins County, NE · Perkins County, SD
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 Owsley 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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