City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Oak Grove, KY

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

7,945
Residents
$47,886
Median income
$143,500
Median home
$1,346
Median rent (state)

Oak Grove - the verdict

Oak Grove ranks in the 16th percentile for household income and the 19th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

16th
percentile, household income
25th
percentile, home value
50th
percentile, median rent
19th
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: Oak Grove, KY

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 7,945 residents in Oak Grove, a small town within Kentucky. Oak Grove households earn a median of $47,886 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.2%. Typical homes in Oak Grove are valued around $143,500, and the median resident age is 25.4 years. About 15.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 47.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 10 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 60% from five years earlier. Oak Grove's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2767.7 crimes per 100,000 residents, above 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 $1,346 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kentucky run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 79.6 out of 100 (High).

Population

7,945 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$47,886 /yr

Poverty 15.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Oak Grove compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 16% higher than other cities
Home value 25% pricier than other cities
Median rent 50% pricier than other cities
Safety 19% 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, Oak Grove ranks #168 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 Oak Grove'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.

16thIncome percentile
19thSafety percentile

16th percentile nationally for median household income · 19th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Oak Grove's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Oak Grove'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 33 Avg. percentile National median
Oak Grove'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 Oak Grove's home value compares nationally

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

$143,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 75% 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. Oak Grove $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 - Oak Grove, KY Oak Grove, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, KY median $47,886/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%
Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, 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) 15.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.8%

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

Population
7,945
Median Income
$47,886
Median Home Value
$143,500
Median Age
25.4
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Labor force participation
47.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2767.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
275.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2492.2
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,800 residents7,900 residents8,000 residents8,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,938 residents 7,830 residents ▼ -1.4%
Oak Grove's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 25
2020 30
2021 32
2022 8
2023 9
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 60% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.3%
Carpool
21.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
2.5%

Based on 3,105 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 Oak Grove sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,346/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
79.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

London
7,576 people
Pikeville
7,560 people
Mount Sterling
7,549 people
Union
7,494 people
Edgewood
8,429 people
Corbin
8,430 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Oak Grove's 7,945 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Carneys Point, NJ
7,945 people
Watsessing, NJ
7,944 people
Lexington, TN
7,943 people
Emmett, ID
7,948 people
Glenside, PA
7,941 people
Waikele, HI
7,950 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Oak Grove's $47,886 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Elkhart, IN
$47,885 median income
Chanute, KS
$47,885 median income
Newberry, SC
$47,885 median income
Johnsonville, SC
$47,891 median income
Schulenburg, TX
$47,891 median income
Butler, AL
$47,880 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 59.2% 21.2% 17.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 14.1% White 59.2% Black or African American 21.2% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 0.1% Two or more races 17.4% 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 Oak Grove 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
Oak Grove (this city) 7,945 $47,886
London 7,576 $45,850
Pikeville 7,560 $39,216
Mount Sterling 7,549 $50,843
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Oak Grove, KY?

What is the population of Oak Grove, KY? +

Oak Grove, KY counts 7,945 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Oak Grove, KY? +

Oak Grove households earn a median of $47,886 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Oak Grove? +

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

Oak Grove has a total crime rate of 2767.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Oak Grove, KY? +

The median home value in Oak Grove is $143,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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