City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Richmond, KY

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

35,498
Residents
$48,223
Median income
$205,900
Median home
$904
Median rent (state)

Richmond - the verdict

Nationally, Richmond sits in the 17th percentile for household income and the 28th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
28th
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: Richmond, KY

Richmond is a small city in Kentucky, home to 35,498 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Richmond brings in $48,223 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.8%. Typical homes in Richmond are valued around $205,900, and the median resident age is 28.1 years. About 34.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 311 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 35% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2188.0 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $904 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kentucky run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Richmond report an average commute of 22.2 minutes, with 77.2% driving alone and 6.5% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 74.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

35,498 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$48,223 /yr

Poverty 18.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Richmond compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 28% 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, Richmond ranks #160 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 Richmond'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.

17thIncome percentile
28thSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 28th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Richmond's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Richmond'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
Richmond'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 Richmond's home value compares nationally

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

$205,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% 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. Richmond $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 - Richmond, KY Richmond, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Richmond, 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 Richmond, KY median $48,223/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%
Richmond, 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 Richmond, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 34.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.6%

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

Population
35,498
Median Income
$48,223
Median Home Value
$205,900
Median Age
28.1
Poverty Rate
18.8%
Labor force participation
62.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
34.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2188.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
215.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1972.6
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.

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
34,000 residents36,000 residents38,000 residents40,000 residents42,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 35,317 residents 40,663 residents ▲ +15.1%
Richmond's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
311
housing units authorized
Single-Family
201
detached homes
Multifamily
110
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
8.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 231
2020 328
2021 389
2022 632
2023 257
2024 311

Permit volume increased 35% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
22.2 minutes
Drive Alone
77.2%
Carpool
9.5%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
4.7%
Work from Home
6.5%
Other
1.9%

Based on 17,952 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 Richmond sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$904/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
74.8 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Georgetown
38,206 people
Florence
32,334 people
Elizabethtown
31,870 people
Nicholasville
31,625 people
Hopkinsville
31,011 people
Covington
40,902 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Richmond's 35,498 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wenatchee, WA
35,502 people
Kendall West, FL
35,492 people
Torrington, CT
35,481 people
Stockbridge, GA
35,475 people
Springville, UT
35,474 people
Amherst, MA
35,472 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Richmond's $48,223 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

DeWitt, AR
$48,221 median income
Stevenson, AL
$48,214 median income
Exeter, MO
$48,214 median income
Westport, NY
$48,214 median income
Adrian, MO
$48,233 median income
North Vernon, IN
$48,235 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Richmond, 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 Richmond, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.1% 6.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.3% White 85.1% Black or African American 5.1% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.6% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 6.6% 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 Richmond 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
Richmond (this city) 35,498 $48,223
Georgetown 38,206 $78,373
Florence 32,334 $68,508
Elizabethtown 31,870 $56,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Richmond, KY?

What is the population of Richmond, KY? +

The population of Richmond, KY stands at 35,498 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Richmond runs $48,223, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Richmond? +

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

Richmond has a total crime rate of 2188.0 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Richmond, KY? +

The median home value in Richmond is $205,900, 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.