Population 18,221 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Russell County
Household size in Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.33 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.43 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.41 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.09 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Russell County run small, averaging 2.41 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has crept up from 2.33 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the south.
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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.9 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.2 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.4 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.6 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.4 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
At 41.6, the median age in Russell County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is older than in Kentucky as a whole, where the median age is 39.9. The median age has edged down from 41.9 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose.
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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.4% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.3% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.3% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in seven households in Russell County (15.3%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 4.9 points, even as the national share fell. Few Kentucky counties have a higher share of single-parent households: only seven of 120.
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 Russell County
Renters in Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.9% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.9% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 29.2% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Russell County own their homes; 29.2% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. More than half of owners (53.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 7.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.7% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.9% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 26.4% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.0% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 19.0% of the housing in Russell 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 0.7 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +12 | +5 | +6 |
Russell County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1989, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Russell 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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $484 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $492 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $563 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $667 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$183 | +$367 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Russell County costs $667 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $183 a month since 2006–10, up 38%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 32.7% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Russell County
Bachelor's degrees in Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.3% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.4% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.9% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Russell County: 15.1% 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 2.8 points, mirroring the country.
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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.2% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 72.1% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 78.2% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 82.2% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.0 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Russell County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 82.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 10.0 points, as it has 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 Russell County
| Period | Russell County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.1% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Russell County: 6.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has edged down 1.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Russell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell County | 2.41 | 41.6 | 15.3% | 29.2% | 19.0% | 1989 | $667 | 15.1% | 82.2% | 6.2% |
| Adair County | 2.51 | 40.7 | 8.5% | 22.8% | 16.6% | 1984 | $773 | 23.4% | 84.2% | 6.1% |
| Pulaski County | 2.50 | 42.8 | 11.8% | 27.5% | 15.7% | 1985 | $840 | 18.3% | 86.0% | 5.0% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
| Edmonson County | 2.41 | 45.9 | 8.2% | 19.9% | 16.3% | 1991 | $770 | 10.8% | 83.4% | 8.0% |
| Clay County | 2.56 | 40.4 | 18.3% | 23.6% | 15.6% | 1991 | $786 | 16.5% | 74.6% | 8.4% |
| Warren County | 2.58 | 35.2 | 11.5% | 44.4% | 8.3% | 1991 | $1,076 | 31.2% | 87.4% | 4.3% |
| Leslie County | 2.32 | 41.8 | 10.4% | 14.5% | 13.0% | 1983 | $585 | 11.9% | 80.5% | 4.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Pike County, IL · Los Alamos County, NM · Louisa County, IA · Love County, OK · Lowndes County, AL · Luna County, NM · Lunenburg County, VA · Luquillo Municipio, PR · Lyon County, MN · Marion County, MS
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 Russell 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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