City · Kentucky
Cynthiana, Kentucky
Cynthiana, city, in Harrison County, Kentucky. Cynthiana had 6,576 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 6,333 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,458 (±24). GEOID 2119432.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,576
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,333 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,458 ±24
Median household income
$54,647
±$6,456 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$172,500
±$35,858 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$770
±$57 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
Where is Cynthiana and what county is it in?
Cynthiana is a city in Harrison County, Kentucky. It covers 4.6 square miles of land, 1,391 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Cynthiana, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 6,576 people lived in Cynthiana on July 1, 2025, up 3.8% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 6,333 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,458 (±24).
| Measure | Cynthiana | Harrison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,458 ±24 | 19,140 | +146 |
| Households | 2,461 ±215 | 7,293 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.55 ±0.22 | 2.58 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,860 ±207 | 8,186 | no clear change |
Cynthiana's population since 2000
From 6,258 in 2000 to 6,576 in 2025: up 5.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Cynthiana 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 Cynthiana?
The median resident of Cynthiana is 36.9 years old; 26.1% are under 18 and 18.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.8%.
| Measure | Cynthiana | Harrison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.9 ±5.0 | 42.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.1% ±3.8 pts | 23.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.6% ±3.2 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Male | 43.3% ±3.2 pts | 48.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% ±1.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.1% ±3.0 pts | 93.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±2.0 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8% ±2.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.7% ±0.8 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.5% ±3.1 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 18.7% ±3.8 pts | 18.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.6% ±2.0 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.6% ±3.3 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.4% ±6.1 pts | 22.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.7% ±4.4 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 79.6% ±7.0 pts | 88.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0% ±0.8 pts | 1.0% | – |
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 Cynthiana earn?
Half of Cynthiana's 2,461 households earn less than $54,647 a year (±$6,456), against $66,442 in Harrison County and $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 the median was $41,492 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $13,155 after inflation. 30.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cynthiana | Harrison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,647 ±$6,456 | $66,442 | +$13,155 |
| Mean household income | $62,589 ±$6,997 | $86,489 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,285 ±$3,097 | $33,578 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 30.5% ±6.7 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 44.1% ±14.8 pts | 21.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.0% ±6.4 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.8% ±3.7 pts | 90.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.4% ±5.0 pts | 81.6% | – |
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 Cynthiana?
Owners occupy 48.2% of Cynthiana's occupied homes and renters 51.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $172,500 by its owner (±$35,858). The median renter pays $770 a month including utilities, and 36.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cynthiana | Harrison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $172,500 ±$35,858 | $202,100 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $770 ±$57 | $765 | +$71 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.2% ±11.4 pts | 36.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,203 ±$103 | $1,311 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 48.2% ±8.1 pts | 71.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 51.8% ±8.1 pts | 28.6% | – |
| Housing units | 2,860 ±207 | 8,186 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.1% ±6.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 59.7% ±7.5 pts | 72.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±1.6 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1% ±1.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.9% ±1.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.7% ±7.0 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 11.7% ±4.8 pts | 9.5% | – |
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 do people in Cynthiana work and get to work?
71.7% of Cynthiana's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 23.9 minutes.
| Measure | Cynthiana | Harrison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.6% ±4.6 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.3% ±1.1 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 71.7% ±8.2 pts | 79.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 18.7% ±7.1 pts | 11.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 6.9% ±4.9 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.1% ±2.0 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.9 min ±4.5 | 28.2 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 Cynthiana?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Cynthiana, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $56,892 (Tract 9505) to $95,819 (Tract 9504).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9505Harrison County | 4,809 | $56,892 |
| Tract 9504Harrison County | 3,750 | $95,819 |
| Tract 9503Harrison County | 5,652 | $66,615 |
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 Cynthiana) · Census block assignment files
How does Cynthiana compare with other places in Kentucky?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Cynthiana is the 4,209th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 68th-most populous of 418 in Kentucky.
Cynthiana ranks 119th 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 | 68th | 418 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 56th | 204 |
| Residents per square mile | 80th | 232 |
| Median household income | 119th | 230 |
| Per capita income | 166th | 232 |
| Median home value | 109th | 225 |
| Median gross rent | 136th | 217 |
| Poverty rate | 36th | 203 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 163rd | 223 |
| Median age | 154th | 232 |
| Owner-occupied share | 192nd | 229 |
| Travel time to work | 80th | 232 |
Cynthiana's figures with every place in Kentucky (CSV)
Every place in Kentucky, sortable · Compare Cynthiana 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 Cynthiana?
18 of the 57 figures for Cynthiana 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 Cynthiana 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 Cynthiana.