City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Horse Cave, KY

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

2,348
Residents
$51,927
Median income
$93,600
Median home
$866
Median rent (state)

Horse Cave - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Horse Cave places in the 23rd percentile for household income and the 96th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

23rd
percentile, household income
7th
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
96th
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: Horse Cave, KY

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,348 residents in Horse Cave, a small town within Kentucky. Median household income here is $51,927 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 21.1%. Typical homes in Horse Cave are valued around $93,600, and the median resident age is 47.1 years. About 9.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 38.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Horse Cave reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 176.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: the state registers 90.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $866 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Kentucky's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 41.1 out of 100 (Low).

Population

2,348 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$51,927 /yr

Poverty 21.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Horse Cave compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 23% higher than other cities
Home value 7% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities
Safety 96% 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, Horse Cave ranks #22 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

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Horse Cave's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Kentucky, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

23rdIncome percentile
96thSafety percentile

23rd percentile nationally for median household income · 96th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Horse Cave's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Horse Cave'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 72 Avg. percentile National median
Horse Cave'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 Horse Cave's home value compares nationally

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

$93,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 93% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Horse Cave $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 - Horse Cave, KY Horse Cave, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Horse Cave, 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 Horse Cave, KY median $51,927/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%
Horse Cave, 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 Horse Cave, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 21.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 38.7%

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

Population
2,348
Median Income
$51,927
Median Home Value
$93,600
Median Age
47.1
Poverty Rate
21.1%
Labor force participation
38.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
176.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
176.1
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
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,200 residents2,220 residents2,240 residents2,260 residents2,280 residents2,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,217 residents 2,276 residents ▲ +2.7%
Horse Cave's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
84.5%
Carpool
6.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.1%
Work from Home
6.3%
Other
0.7%

Based on 760 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 Horse Cave sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$866/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
41.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Fulton
2,345 people
Elk Creek
2,344 people
Carlisle
2,356 people
Harlan
2,304 people
Hardinsburg
2,404 people
Anchorage
2,421 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Horse Cave's 2,348 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Webster County unified government, GA
2,348 people
New Chicago, IN
2,348 people
Centreville, MS
2,348 people
Ranchos de Taos, NM
2,348 people
Halesite, NY
2,348 people
Toftrees, PA
2,348 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Horse Cave's $51,927 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Zephyrhills North, FL
$51,932 median income
Cobbtown, GA
$51,932 median income
Cooperstown, ND
$51,932 median income
New Waterford, OH
$51,932 median income
Dryden, NY
$51,920 median income
Dover-Foxcroft, ME
$51,919 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Horse Cave, 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 Horse Cave, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 71.1% 22.1% 6.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.9% White 71.1% Black or African American 22.1% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 6.1% 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 Horse Cave 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
Horse Cave (this city) 2,348 $51,927
Fulton 2,345 $36,037
Elk Creek 2,344 $127,487
Carlisle 2,356 $46,292
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Horse Cave, KY?

What is the population of Horse Cave, KY? +

The population of Horse Cave, KY stands at 2,348 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Horse Cave, KY? +

Horse Cave households earn a median of $51,927 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Horse Cave? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Horse Cave; 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 Horse Cave, KY safe? +

Horse Cave has a total crime rate of 176.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Horse Cave, KY? +

The median home value in Horse Cave is $93,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, 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 Editorial

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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.