City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Frankfort, KY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Frankfort - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

28,452
Residents
$54,438
Median income
$171,600
Median home
$1,083
Median rent (state)

Frankfort - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Frankfort places in the 26th percentile for household income and the 36th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

26th
percentile, household income
34th
percentile, home value
27th
percentile, median rent
36th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Frankfort, KY

Frankfort is a small city in Kentucky, home to 28,452 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Frankfort households earn a median of $54,438 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.8%. Typical homes in Frankfort are valued around $171,600, and the median resident age is 34.7 years. Educational attainment runs 27.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 8 residential building permits were authorized in Frankfort (Construction Slowdown), down 38% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1845.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Kentucky scores 90.2 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,083 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Kentucky, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 16.0 minutes, with 75.3% driving alone and 9.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 64.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

28,452 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$54,438 /yr

Poverty 15.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Frankfort compare to other US cities?

Frankfort measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 34% pricier than other cities
Median rent 27% pricier than other cities
Safety 36% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Kentucky, Frankfort ranks #151 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Frankfort against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kentucky only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kentucky-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher sits close to the middle of Kentucky's city distribution

Among the 520 Kentucky cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Frankfort ranks #162 - the 69th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Frankfort only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#251 of 485
48th percentile in Kentucky
Median Gross Rent
#219 of 520
58th percentile in Kentucky
Median Home Value
#185 of 484
62nd percentile in Kentucky
Poverty Rate
#199 of 519
61st percentile in Kentucky
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#162 of 520
69th percentile in Kentucky

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Kentucky only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

26thIncome percentile
36thSafety percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income · 36th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Frankfort's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Frankfort's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 44 Avg. percentile National median
Frankfort's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Frankfort's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$171,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 66% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Frankfort $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Frankfort, KY Frankfort, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Frankfort, KY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Frankfort, KY median $54,438/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Frankfort, KY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Frankfort, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
28,452
Median Income
$54,438
Median Home Value
$171,600
Median Age
34.7
Poverty Rate
15.8%
Labor force participation
59.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1845.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
202.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1643.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
17
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
28,400 residents28,500 residents28,600 residents28,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 28,618 residents 28,657 residents ▲ +0.1%
Frankfort's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
8
housing units authorized
Single-Family
8
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 13
2020 22
2021 23
2022 16
2023 16
2024 8

Permit volume decreased 38% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.0 minutes
Drive Alone
75.3%
Carpool
10.0%
Public Transit
2.0%
Walk
2.9%
Work from Home
9.2%
Other
0.6%

Based on 12,979 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kentucky - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kentucky state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kentucky state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Frankfort sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,083/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
64.5 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Henderson
27,994 people
Jeffersontown
28,988 people
Independence
29,024 people
Paducah
26,894 people
Hopkinsville
31,011 people
Nicholasville
31,625 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Frankfort's 28,452 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Leesburg, FL
28,461 people
Laplace, LA
28,480 people
Milton, MA
28,481 people
Lansing, IL
28,415 people
Madison Heights, MI
28,411 people
Forest Hills, MI
28,494 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Frankfort's $54,438 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Stony Creek Mills, PA
$54,435 median income
Clarendon, TX
$54,441 median income
Rupert, ID
$54,444 median income
Batavia, IA
$54,432 median income
Webster, NC
$54,444 median income
Bowersville, OH
$54,432 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Frankfort, KY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Frankfort, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 72.9% 13.9% 7.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.1% White 72.9% Black or African American 13.9% Asian 2.8% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.4% Some other race 2.8% Two or more races 7.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Frankfort compares to nearby Kentucky cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Frankfort (this city) 28,452 $54,438
Henderson 27,994 $47,176
Jeffersontown 28,988 $78,185
Independence 29,024 $98,653
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Frankfort, KY?

What is the population of Frankfort, KY? +

Frankfort, KY counts 28,452 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Frankfort, KY? +

Frankfort households earn a median of $54,438 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Frankfort? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Frankfort; the closest available measure is the Kentucky state average, a cost of living index of 90.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kentucky vary by metro area.

Is Frankfort, KY safe? +

Frankfort has a total crime rate of 1845.5 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Frankfort, KY? +

Frankfort's median home value sits at $171,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.