City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

West Buechel, KY

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

1,624
Residents
$47,066
Median income
$152,600
Median home
$1,272
Median rent (state)

West Buechel - the verdict

Nationally, West Buechel sits in the 15th percentile for household income and the 1st percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

15th
percentile, household income
28th
percentile, home value
43rd
percentile, median rent
1st
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: West Buechel, KY

1,624 people live in West Buechel, Kentucky - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $47,066 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.5%. Home values in West Buechel run a median of $152,600, and the median resident age is 31.6 years. 35.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 76.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

West Buechel's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 8727.9 in FBI UCR data, above 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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,272 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Kentucky, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 98.3 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

1,624 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$47,066 /yr

Poverty 13.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does West Buechel compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 15% higher than other cities
Home value 28% pricier than other cities
Median rent 43% pricier than other cities
Safety 1% 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, West Buechel ranks #181 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 West Buechel'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.

15thIncome percentile
1stSafety percentile

15th percentile nationally for median household income · 1st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West Buechel's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West Buechel'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 27 Avg. percentile National median
West Buechel'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 West Buechel's home value compares nationally

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

$152,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 72% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. West Buechel $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 - West Buechel, KY West Buechel, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West Buechel, 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 West Buechel, KY median $47,066/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%
West Buechel, 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 West Buechel, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 35.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 76.6%

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

Population
1,624
Median Income
$47,066
Median Home Value
$152,600
Median Age
31.6
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Labor force participation
76.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
35.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
8727.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
295.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
8432.0
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,360 residents1,380 residents1,400 residents1,420 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,374 residents 1,402 residents ▲ +2.0%
West Buechel's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.4%
Carpool
12.6%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
7.8%
Work from Home
7.8%
Other
1.8%

Based on 963 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 West Buechel 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
98.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Ledbetter
1,630 people
Owenton
1,600 people
Breckinridge Center
1,592 people
Catlettsburg
1,672 people
Jenkins
1,569 people
Taylorsville
1,566 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Buechel's 1,624 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Meadview, AZ
1,624 people
West Sharyland, TX
1,624 people
Cambridge City, IN
1,623 people
Hoopers Creek, NC
1,623 people
Beaver, OK
1,625 people
Comanche, OK
1,625 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Buechel's $47,066 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bedford Heights, OH
$47,066 median income
Sheridan, TX
$47,063 median income
Normangee, TX
$47,071 median income
Lafitte, LA
$47,059 median income
Lone Star, TX
$47,059 median income
Madison, VA
$47,059 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West Buechel, 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 West Buechel, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 35.6% 33.1% 15.3% 15.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 13.3% White 35.6% Black or African American 33.1% Asian 15.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.6% Two or more races 15.3% 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 West Buechel 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
West Buechel (this city) 1,624 $47,066
Ledbetter 1,630 $62,798
Owenton 1,600 $52,121
Breckinridge Center 1,592 $62,269
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Buechel, KY?

What is the population of West Buechel, KY? +

The population of West Buechel, KY stands at 1,624 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in West Buechel, KY? +

West Buechel households earn a median of $47,066 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Buechel? +

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

West Buechel has a total crime rate of 8727.9 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 West Buechel, KY? +

A typical home in West Buechel is worth $152,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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