City · Kentucky
Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah, city, in McCracken County, Kentucky. Paducah had 26,730 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 27,137 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 26,845 (±34). GEOID 2158836.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
26,730
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 27,137 · ACS 2020-2024: 26,845 ±34
Median household income
$49,915
±$5,828 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$165,300
±$9,690 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$834
±$53 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
Where is Paducah and what county is it in?
Paducah is a city in McCracken County, Kentucky. It covers 20.3 square miles of land, 1,334 residents per square mile in 2020.
Paducah is in the Paducah, KY-IL metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Paducah, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 26,730 people lived in Paducah on July 1, 2025, down 1.5% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020 Census counted 27,137 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 26,845 (±34).
| Measure | Paducah | McCracken County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 26,845 ±34 | 67,564 | +1,951 |
| Households | 11,741 ±414 | 27,601 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.19 ±0.08 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,878 ±379 | 32,280 | no clear change |
Paducah's population since 2000
From 26,307 in 2000 to 26,730 in 2025: up 1.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Paducah as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Paducah?
The median resident of Paducah is 41.5 years old; 19.6% are under 18 and 17.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 69.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 19.2%. 2.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Paducah | McCracken County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 ±1.7 | 42.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.6% ±1.7 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.7% ±1.7 pts | 20.5% | – |
| Male | 47.6% ±1.6 pts | 48.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% ±0.9 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 69.7% ±1.9 pts | 81.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 19.2% ±2.0 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.6% ±1.6 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.7% ±0.9 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.8% ±1.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9% ±1.1 pts | 7.0% | – |
| With a disability | 19.1% ±2.2 pts | 16.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.0% ±1.4 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.5% ±1.6 pts | 93.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.8% ±2.9 pts | 29.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.2% ±2.0 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.9% ±2.1 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8% ±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Paducah earn?
Half of Paducah's 11,741 households earn less than $49,915 a year (±$5,828), against $64,373 in McCracken County and $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $48,324 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Paducah | McCracken County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,915 ±$5,828 | $64,373 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $89,785 ±$11,701 | $93,079 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,311 ±$5,143 | $39,193 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.3% ±3.6 pts | 15.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 33.2% ±9.9 pts | 19.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.5% ±2.1 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.1% ±1.4 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.8% ±2.5 pts | 89.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Paducah?
Owners occupy 55.0% of Paducah's occupied homes and renters 45.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $165,300 by its owner (±$9,690). The median renter pays $834 a month including utilities, and 38.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Paducah | McCracken County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $165,300 ±$9,690 | $188,100 | +$19,586 |
| Median gross rent | $834 ±$53 | $898 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.5% ±6.1 pts | 36.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,323 ±$96 | $1,364 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.0% ±3.5 pts | 68.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 45.0% ±3.5 pts | 31.1% | – |
| Housing units | 13,878 ±379 | 32,280 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5% ±2.5 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.0% ±3.0 pts | 66.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.6% ±1.2 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.2% ±1.6 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.6% ±2.8 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.4% ±2.1 pts | 6.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Paducah building?
Builders took permits for 84 new housing units in Paducah in 2025 (16 in single-family houses), 3.1 per 1,000 residents against 3.2 across Kentucky.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Paducah work and get to work?
77.4% of Paducah's workers drive alone and 7.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Paducah | McCracken County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.0% ±2.2 pts | 58.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% ±1.3 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.4% ±3.3 pts | 81.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3% ±2.1 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.3% ±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 3.9% ±1.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.0% ±1.9 pts | 8.3% | +4.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.7 min ±1.5 | 17.6 min | −2.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Paducah?
9 census tracts lie mostly in Paducah, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $24,741 (Tract 304) to $107,608 (Tract 308).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 308McCracken County | 5,166 | $107,608 |
| Tract 307McCracken County | 4,306 | $42,330 |
| Tract 306McCracken County | 3,476 | $31,275 |
| Tract 313.01McCracken County | 5,352 | $64,632 |
| Tract 302McCracken County | 2,185 | $29,844 |
| Tract 309McCracken County | 3,809 | $49,344 |
| Tract 314.02McCracken County | 4,954 | $66,105 |
| Tract 303McCracken County | 1,703 | $37,109 |
| Tract 305McCracken County | 1,552 | $37,375 |
| Tract 304McCracken County | 1,444 | $24,741 |
| Tract 301McCracken County | 945 | $37,262 |
| Tract 314.01McCracken County | 1,598 | $57,090 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Paducah) · Census block assignment files
How does Paducah compare with other places in Kentucky?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Paducah is the 1,499th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 16th-most populous of 418 in Kentucky.
Paducah ranks 141st of 230 places in Kentucky with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 16th | 418 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 149th | 204 |
| Residents per square mile | 85th | 232 |
| Median household income | 141st | 230 |
| Per capita income | 54th | 232 |
| Median home value | 121st | 225 |
| Median gross rent | 116th | 217 |
| Poverty rate | 83rd | 203 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 76th | 223 |
| Median age | 70th | 232 |
| Owner-occupied share | 148th | 229 |
| Work from home | 111th | 130 |
| Travel time to work | 220th | 232 |
Paducah's figures with every place in Kentucky (CSV)
Every place in Kentucky, sortable · Compare Paducah with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Paducah?
5 of the 57 figures for Paducah on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Paducah are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Paducah.