City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Middlesborough, KY

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

9,258
Residents
$34,349
Median income
$88,700
Median home
$866
Median rent (state)

Middlesborough - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Middlesborough lands in the 4th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

4th
percentile, household income
6th
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Middlesborough, KY

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 9,258 residents in Middlesborough, a small town within Kentucky. Middlesborough households earn a median of $34,349 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 22.3%. Home values in Middlesborough run a median of $88,700, and the median resident age is 41.8 years. Educational attainment runs 15.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 38.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 14 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 27% from five years earlier.

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $866 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Kentucky, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 68.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

9,258 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$34,349 /yr

Poverty 22.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Middlesborough compare to other US cities?

Where Middlesborough sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 4% higher than other cities
Home value 6% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Kentucky-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Middlesborough near the bottom of Kentucky's cities

Among the 520 Kentucky cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Middlesborough ranks #366 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Middlesborough only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#420 of 485
13th percentile in Kentucky
Median Gross Rent
#366 of 520
0th percentile in Kentucky
Median Home Value
#409 of 484
15th percentile in Kentucky
Poverty Rate
#122 of 519
76th percentile in Kentucky
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#307 of 520
40th 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.

4thIncome percentile

4th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Middlesborough's home value compares nationally

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

$88,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% 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. Middlesborough $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 - Middlesborough, KY Middlesborough, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Middlesborough, 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 Middlesborough, KY median $34,349/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%
Middlesborough, 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 Middlesborough, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 22.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 38.0%

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

Population
9,258
Median Income
$34,349
Median Home Value
$88,700
Median Age
41.8
Poverty Rate
22.3%
Labor force participation
38.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.0%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,600 residents8,800 residents9,000 residents9,200 residents9,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 9,338 residents 8,776 residents ▼ -6.0%
Middlesborough's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
14
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 11
2020 12
2021 15
2022 13
2023 13
2024 14

Permit volume increased 27% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
60.7%
Carpool
29.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.1%
Work from Home
4.1%
Other
1.2%

Based on 2,615 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 Middlesborough 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
68.0 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Elsmere
9,151 people
Harrodsburg
9,126 people
Oakbrook
9,459 people
Middletown
9,622 people
Maysville
8,778 people
Hillview
8,735 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Middlesborough's 9,258 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Smithville, NJ
9,260 people
Eunice, LA
9,261 people
Andover, MA
9,261 people
Augusta, KS
9,252 people
Pine Lake Park, NJ
9,251 people
Delta, CO
9,266 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Middlesborough's $34,349 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lewis, IA
$34,341 median income
Columbia, MS
$34,328 median income
Western Lake, TX
$34,372 median income
Los Molinos, CA
$34,324 median income
Orchard Hill, GA
$34,375 median income
Pinehurst, GA
$34,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Middlesborough, 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 Middlesborough, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.2% White 90.4% Black or African American 3.8% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.3% Two or more races 5.2% 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 Middlesborough 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
Middlesborough (this city) 9,258 $34,349
Elsmere 9,151 $61,427
Harrodsburg 9,126 $46,821
Oakbrook 9,459 $90,147
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Middlesborough, KY?

What is the population of Middlesborough, KY? +

The population of Middlesborough, KY stands at 9,258 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Middlesborough is $34,349 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Middlesborough? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Middlesborough; 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.

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

Middlesborough's median home value sits at $88,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.