City · Kentucky
Ashland, Kentucky
Ashland, city, in Boyd County, Kentucky. Ashland had 20,996 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 21,625 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 21,295 (±20). GEOID 2102368.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,996
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 21,625 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,295 ±20
Median household income
$52,715
±$5,321 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$125,000
±$8,519 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$872
±$78 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
Where is Ashland and what county is it in?
Ashland is a city in Boyd County, Kentucky. It covers 10.7 square miles of land, 2,014 residents per square mile in 2020.
Ashland is in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 8 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Ashland, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 20,996 people lived in Ashland on July 1, 2025, down 2.9% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020 Census counted 21,625 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 21,295 (±20).
| Measure | Ashland | Boyd County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,295 ±20 | 47,911 | +669 |
| Households | 9,439 ±310 | 19,309 | +1,145 |
| Average household size | 2.23 ±0.07 | 2.38 | −0.22 |
| Housing units | 10,646 ±321 | 21,742 | +434 |
Ashland's population since 2000
From 21,981 in 2000 to 20,996 in 2025: down 4.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Ashland as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ashland?
The median resident of Ashland is 40.7 years old; 21.8% are under 18 and 19.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.7%. 1.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ashland | Boyd County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 ±1.7 | 42.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.8% ±1.2 pts | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.2% ±1.3 pts | 20.5% | – |
| Male | 47.2% ±1.7 pts | 50.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% ±0.5 pts | 1.8% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.2% ±1.1 pts | 92.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0% ±0.9 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7% ±1.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8% ±0.9 pts | 1.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.2% ±1.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.7% ±1.8 pts | 8.6% | – |
| With a disability | 23.9% ±2.4 pts | 22.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.5% ±1.3 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.0% ±1.5 pts | 89.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.8% ±3.7 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.6% ±2.7 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.6% ±3.0 pts | 85.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.9% ±1.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Ashland earn?
Half of Ashland's 9,439 households earn less than $52,715 a year (±$5,321), against $61,118 in Boyd County and $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $50,356 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ashland | Boyd County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,715 ±$5,321 | $61,118 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,468 ±$4,433 | $76,641 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,025 ±$2,062 | $31,752 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.4% ±3.1 pts | 16.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.5% ±6.3 pts | 19.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.1% ±3.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.2% ±1.5 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.7% ±2.2 pts | 87.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Ashland?
Owners occupy 60.4% of Ashland's occupied homes and renters 39.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $125,000 by its owner (±$8,519). The median renter pays $872 a month including utilities, and 35.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ashland | Boyd County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $125,000 ±$8,519 | $130,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $872 ±$78 | $849 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.9% ±6.3 pts | 38.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,213 ±$56 | $1,217 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.4% ±3.0 pts | 70.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 39.6% ±3.0 pts | 29.8% | – |
| Housing units | 10,646 ±321 | 21,742 | +434 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7% ±2.9 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.5% ±2.6 pts | 73.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.3% ±0.8 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.9% ±1.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.0% ±2.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.4% ±2.3 pts | 8.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Ashland building?
Builders took permits for 11 new housing units in Ashland in 2025 (3 in single-family houses), 0.5 per 1,000 residents against 3.2 across Kentucky.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Ashland work and get to work?
74.0% of Ashland's workers drive alone and 7.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.7%.
| Measure | Ashland | Boyd County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.3% ±2.7 pts | 52.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% ±2.3 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.0% ±4.2 pts | 80.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.3% ±3.4 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 5.6% ±2.0 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.5% ±2.5 pts | 5.9% | +5.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.9 min ±2.1 | 22.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Ashland?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Ashland, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $32,764 (Tract 308) to $69,696 (Tract 306).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 305Boyd County | 4,473 | $65,500 |
| Tract 306Boyd County | 3,788 | $69,696 |
| Tract 307Boyd County | 3,198 | $45,909 |
| Tract 308Boyd County | 3,888 | $32,764 |
| Tract 304Boyd County | 2,518 | $59,844 |
| Tract 303Boyd County | 2,030 | $41,851 |
| Tract 302Boyd County | 1,410 | $40,365 |
| Tract 310.03Boyd County | 3,285 | $84,904 |
| Tract 309Boyd County | 4,850 | $70,792 |
| Tract 313Boyd County | 2,098 | $48,420 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Ashland) · Census block assignment files
How does Ashland compare with other places in Kentucky?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Ashland is the 1,858th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 18th-most populous of 418 in Kentucky.
Ashland ranks 128th of 230 places in Kentucky with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 18th | 418 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 169th | 204 |
| Residents per square mile | 42nd | 232 |
| Median household income | 128th | 230 |
| Per capita income | 96th | 232 |
| Median home value | 167th | 225 |
| Median gross rent | 100th | 217 |
| Poverty rate | 82nd | 203 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 97th | 223 |
| Median age | 78th | 232 |
| Owner-occupied share | 104th | 229 |
| Work from home | 105th | 130 |
| Travel time to work | 139th | 232 |
Ashland's figures with every place in Kentucky (CSV)
Every place in Kentucky, sortable · Compare Ashland with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Ashland?
6 of the 57 figures for Ashland on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Ashland are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Ashland.