City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Nicholasville, KY

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

31,625
Residents
$67,514
Median income
$210,700
Median home
$1,272
Median rent (state)

Nicholasville - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Nicholasville lands in the 46th percentile for household income and the 42nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

46th
percentile, household income
46th
percentile, home value
43rd
percentile, median rent
42nd
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: Nicholasville, KY

Nicholasville is a small city in Kentucky, home to 31,625 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $67,514 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.5%. Home values in Nicholasville run a median of $210,700, and the median resident age is 38.2 years. 27.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 61.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 190 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 54% from five years earlier. Nicholasville reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1609.6 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: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Kentucky scores 90.2 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,272 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Kentucky, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 39.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

31,625 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$67,514 /yr

Poverty 10.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Nicholasville compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 46% higher than other cities
Home value 46% pricier than other cities
Median rent 43% pricier than other cities
Safety 42% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Kentucky alone, Nicholasville ranks #146 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Nicholasville'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.

46thIncome percentile
42ndSafety percentile

46th percentile nationally for median household income · 42nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Nicholasville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Nicholasville'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 48 Avg. percentile National median
Nicholasville'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 Nicholasville's home value compares nationally

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

$210,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 54% 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%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Nicholasville $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 - Nicholasville, KY Nicholasville, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Nicholasville, 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 Nicholasville, KY median $67,514/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%
Nicholasville, 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 Nicholasville, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.8%

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

Population
31,625
Median Income
$67,514
Median Home Value
$210,700
Median Age
38.2
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Labor force participation
61.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1609.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
112.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1497.0
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
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
30,000 residents31,000 residents32,000 residents33,000 residents34,000 residents35,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 31,143 residents 33,857 residents ▲ +8.7%
Nicholasville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
190
housing units authorized
Single-Family
171
detached homes
Multifamily
19
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 123
2020 144
2021 241
2022 150
2023 321
2024 190

Permit volume increased 54% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.0%
Carpool
9.7%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
8.3%

Based on 14,826 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 Nicholasville sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,272/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
39.8 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Elizabethtown
31,870 people
Hopkinsville
31,011 people
Florence
32,334 people
Independence
29,024 people
Jeffersontown
28,988 people
Frankfort
28,452 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Nicholasville's 31,625 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mundelein, IL
31,632 people
Naugatuck, CT
31,634 people
Middle River, MD
31,616 people
Bel Air North, MD
31,599 people
Bangor, ME
31,663 people
Fitchburg, WI
31,566 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Nicholasville's $67,514 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Palm Bay, FL
$67,521 median income
Galeton, PA
$67,521 median income
Austell, GA
$67,500 median income
Ashkum, IL
$67,500 median income
Eldred, IL
$67,500 median income
Manlius, IL
$67,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Nicholasville, 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 Nicholasville, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.8% White 87.0% Black or African American 4.5% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 6.0% 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 Nicholasville 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
Nicholasville (this city) 31,625 $67,514
Elizabethtown 31,870 $56,250
Hopkinsville 31,011 $47,428
Florence 32,334 $68,508
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Nicholasville, KY?

What is the population of Nicholasville, KY? +

Nicholasville, KY has a population of 31,625 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Nicholasville runs $67,514, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Nicholasville? +

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

Nicholasville has a total crime rate of 1609.6 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 Nicholasville, KY? +

The median home value in Nicholasville is $210,700, 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 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.