City · Kentucky
Elsmere, Kentucky
Elsmere, city, in Kenton County, Kentucky. Elsmere had 9,521 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 9,159 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 9,205 (±27). GEOID 2124778.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,521
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,159 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,205 ±27
Median household income
$60,503
±$9,965 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$171,900
±$14,107 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$1,351
±$194 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
Where is Elsmere and what county is it in?
Elsmere is a city in Kenton County, Kentucky. It covers 2.6 square miles of land, 3,485 residents per square mile in 2020.
Elsmere is in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 15 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 Elsmere, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 9,521 people lived in Elsmere on July 1, 2025, up 4.0% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 9,159 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 9,205 (±27).
| Measure | Elsmere | Kenton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,205 ±27 | 171,288 | +638 |
| Households | 3,400 ±243 | 67,367 | +461 |
| Average household size | 2.67 ±0.19 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,716 ±314 | 73,221 | +421 |
Elsmere's population since 2000
From 8,139 in 2000 to 9,521 in 2025: up 17.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Elsmere 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 Elsmere?
The median resident of Elsmere is 30.6 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 11.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 7.3%. 5.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Elsmere | Kenton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 30.6 ±3.5 | 37.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.0% ±3.7 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.9% ±2.3 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Male | 45.8% ±3.3 pts | 49.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.3% ±3.9 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.1% ±6.5 pts | 85.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±2.0 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.7% ±2.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.3% ±4.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.5% ±2.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.4% ±3.6 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.6% ±2.4 pts | 5.7% | – |
| With a disability | 17.4% ±3.6 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.6% ±1.9 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.4% ±4.0 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.3% ±6.3 pts | 37.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.9% ±1.8 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 76.6% ±6.6 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.5% ±3.6 pts | 2.6% | – |
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 Elsmere earn?
Half of Elsmere's 3,400 households earn less than $60,503 a year (±$9,965), against $80,548 in Kenton County and $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $67,198 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Elsmere | Kenton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,503 ±$9,965 | $80,548 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $79,549 ±$11,377 | $108,303 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,168 ±$3,651 | $43,733 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.6% ±6.6 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.6% ±11.7 pts | 17.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.5% ±4.7 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.4% ±3.8 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.7% ±4.0 pts | 92.0% | – |
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 Elsmere?
Owners occupy 75.1% of Elsmere's occupied homes and renters 24.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $171,900 by its owner (±$14,107). The median renter pays $1,351 a month including utilities, and 40.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Elsmere | Kenton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $171,900 ±$14,107 | $244,400 | +$34,801 |
| Median gross rent | $1,351 ±$194 | $1,069 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.9% ±16.5 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,356 ±$58 | $1,584 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.1% ±7.0 pts | 70.7% | +11.4 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 24.9% ±7.0 pts | 29.3% | – |
| Housing units | 3,716 ±314 | 73,221 | +421 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.6% ±2.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.4% ±7.5 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.9% ±7.2 pts | 67.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.3% ±4.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4% ±1.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.2% ±5.1 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.2% ±5.6 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.4% ±3.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
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 Elsmere building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Elsmere in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 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 Elsmere work and get to work?
74.6% of Elsmere's workers drive alone and 10.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Elsmere | Kenton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.9% ±4.6 pts | 68.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1% ±2.8 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.6% ±6.3 pts | 75.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.3% ±4.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.4% ±3.6 pts | 14.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.1 min ±1.8 | 22.3 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 Elsmere?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Elsmere, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $55,294 (Tract 656) to $73,750 (Tract 657).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 656Kenton County | 6,259 | $55,294 |
| Tract 657Kenton County | 2,349 | $73,750 |
| Tract 636.07Kenton County | 2,663 | $60,612 |
| Tract 636.08Kenton County | 7,835 | $92,847 |
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 Elsmere) · Census block assignment files
How does Elsmere compare with other places in Kentucky?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Elsmere is the 3,311th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 46th-most populous of 418 in Kentucky.
Elsmere ranks 94th 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 | 46th | 418 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 53rd | 204 |
| Residents per square mile | 17th | 232 |
| Median household income | 94th | 230 |
| Per capita income | 111th | 232 |
| Median home value | 111th | 225 |
| Median gross rent | 26th | 217 |
| Poverty rate | 136th | 203 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 99th | 223 |
| Median age | 212th | 232 |
| Owner-occupied share | 55th | 229 |
| Work from home | 84th | 130 |
| Travel time to work | 188th | 232 |
Elsmere's figures with every place in Kentucky (CSV)
Every place in Kentucky, sortable · Compare Elsmere 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 Elsmere?
11 of the 57 figures for Elsmere 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 Elsmere 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 Elsmere.