City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Monticello, KY

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

5,741
Residents
$37,733
Median income
$125,800
Median home
$866
Median rent (state)

Monticello - the verdict

Nationally, Monticello sits in the 6th percentile for household income and the 69th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

6th
percentile, household income
20th
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
69th
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: Monticello, KY

5,741 people live in Monticello, Kentucky - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Monticello brings in $37,733 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 26.6%. Monticello's housing stock carries a median value of $125,800, and the median resident age is 40.2 years. 11.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 52.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Monticello reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 876.2 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Monticello's yearly average temperature at 56.4°F with 52.5 inches of precipitation per year and 14.2 inches of snowfall.

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 $866 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Kentucky's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 54.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

5,741 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$37,733 /yr

Poverty 26.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Monticello compare to other US cities?

Here's how Monticello stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 20% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities
Safety 69% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Kentucky and the picture shifts: Monticello ranks #98 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Monticello'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.

6thIncome percentile
69thSafety percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income · 69th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Monticello's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Monticello'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 55 Avg. percentile National median
Monticello'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 Monticello's home value compares nationally

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

$125,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 80% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Monticello $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 - Monticello, KY Monticello, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Monticello, 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 Monticello, KY median $37,733/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%
Monticello, 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 Monticello, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 26.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.3%

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

Population
5,741
Median Income
$37,733
Median Home Value
$125,800
Median Age
40.2
Poverty Rate
26.6%
Labor force participation
52.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
876.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
87.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
788.6
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
56.4°F
Annual Precipitation
52.5"
Annual Snowfall
14.2"

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,700 residents5,720 residents5,740 residents5,760 residents5,780 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,758 residents 5,721 residents ▼ -0.6%
Monticello's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
61.0%
Carpool
12.3%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
20.3%
Other
4.1%

Based on 2,434 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 Monticello 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
54.7 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Central City
5,736 people
Dayton
5,703 people
Fort Wright
5,882 people
Bellevue
5,598 people
Walton
5,513 people
Wilmore
6,031 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Monticello's 5,741 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Belle Fourche, SD
5,741 people
Yabucoa zona urbana, PR
5,740 people
Tontitown, AR
5,739 people
New Holland, PA
5,743 people
Eldorado at Santa Fe, NM
5,746 people
Angier, NC
5,746 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Monticello's $37,733 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mayland, TN
$37,734 median income
Vian, OK
$37,727 median income
Schell City, MO
$37,750 median income
Coalgate, OK
$37,716 median income
Neeses, SC
$37,708 median income
Garberville, CA
$37,760 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Monticello, 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 Monticello, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.9% 7.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.8% White 82.9% Black or African American 4.2% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 7.3% Two or more races 5.3% 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 Monticello 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
Monticello (this city) 5,741 $37,733
Central City 5,736 $49,025
Dayton 5,703 $62,500
Fort Wright 5,882 $100,647
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Monticello, KY?

What is the population of Monticello, KY? +

Monticello, KY has a population of 5,741 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Monticello runs $37,733, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Monticello? +

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

Monticello has a total crime rate of 876.2 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 Monticello, KY? +

The median home value in Monticello is $125,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Monticello? +

Climate normals put Monticello's yearly average temperature at 56.4°F, 52.5 inches of precipitation, and 14.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.