City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Morgantown, KY

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

2,729
Residents
$37,037
Median income
$111,400
Median home
$866
Median rent (state)

Morgantown - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Morgantown lands in the 6th percentile for household income and the 93rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

6th
percentile, household income
14th
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
93rd
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: Morgantown, KY

2,729 people live in Morgantown, Kentucky - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Morgantown brings in $37,037 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 25.6%. Home values in Morgantown run a median of $111,400, and the median resident age is 36.3 years. Educational attainment runs 6.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 41.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 6 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 500% from five years earlier. Morgantown reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 283.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $866 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Kentucky, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 18.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

2,729 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$37,037 /yr

Poverty 25.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Morgantown compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 14% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities
Safety 93% 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: Morgantown ranks #35 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Morgantown 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 Morgantown near the bottom of Kentucky's cities

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

Median Household Income
#400 of 485
18th percentile in Kentucky
Median Gross Rent
#366 of 520
0th percentile in Kentucky
Median Home Value
#338 of 484
30th percentile in Kentucky
Poverty Rate
#92 of 519
82nd percentile in Kentucky
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#443 of 520
14th 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.

6thIncome percentile
93rdSafety percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income · 93rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Morgantown's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Morgantown'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
Morgantown'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 Morgantown's home value compares nationally

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

$111,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 86% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Morgantown $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 - Morgantown, KY Morgantown, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Morgantown, 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 Morgantown, KY median $37,037/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%
Morgantown, 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 Morgantown, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 6.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 25.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 41.9%

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

Population
2,729
Median Income
$37,037
Median Home Value
$111,400
Median Age
36.3
Poverty Rate
25.6%
Labor force participation
41.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
6.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
283.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
243.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
40.5
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,460 residents2,480 residents2,500 residents2,520 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,497 residents 2,512 residents ▲ +0.6%
Morgantown's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
6
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 7
2024 6

Permit volume increased 500% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.6%
Carpool
17.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.5%
Work from Home
0.0%

Based on 867 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 Morgantown 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
18.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Eminence
2,710 people
Russell Springs
2,755 people
Pioneer
2,690 people
Thruston
2,675 people
Tompkinsville
2,672 people
Hartford
2,653 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Morgantown's 2,729 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Highspire, PA
2,729 people
Edcouch, TX
2,729 people
Refugio, TX
2,729 people
Jemison, AL
2,728 people
Roseau, MN
2,728 people
Lakeside, MT
2,730 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Morgantown's $37,037 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Unity, SC
$37,037 median income
Ralston, WY
$37,035 median income
Jerome, AZ
$37,031 median income
New Canton, IL
$37,031 median income
Monroe, SD
$37,031 median income
Holliday, MO
$37,045 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Morgantown, 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 Morgantown, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.5% 14.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 19.8% White 82.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.8% Two or more races 14.4% 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 Morgantown 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
Morgantown (this city) 2,729 $37,037
Eminence 2,710 $44,655
Russell Springs 2,755 $37,500
Pioneer 2,690 $79,566
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Morgantown, KY?

What is the population of Morgantown, KY? +

Morgantown, KY counts 2,729 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Morgantown households earn a median of $37,037 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Morgantown? +

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

Morgantown has a total crime rate of 283.7 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 Morgantown, KY? +

A typical home in Morgantown is worth $111,400, 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.