City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Wheelwright, KY

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

945
Residents
$58,250
Median income
$85,700
Median home
$904
Median rent (state)

Wheelwright - the verdict

Wheelwright ranks in the 32nd percentile for household income and the 99th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

32nd
percentile, household income
5th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
99th
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: Wheelwright, KY

945 people live in Wheelwright, Kentucky - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $58,250 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 34.0%. Home values in Wheelwright run a median of $85,700, and the median resident age is 37.0 years. 10.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 23.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Wheelwright reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 0.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Kentucky at 90.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $904 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Kentucky, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 94.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

945 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$58,250 /yr

Poverty 34.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Wheelwright compare to other US cities?

Where Wheelwright sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 32% higher than other cities
Home value 5% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 99% 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, Wheelwright ranks #12 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 Wheelwright'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.

32ndIncome percentile
99thSafety percentile

32nd percentile nationally for median household income · 99th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wheelwright's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wheelwright'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 75 Avg. percentile National median
Wheelwright'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 Wheelwright's home value compares nationally

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

$85,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 95% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Wheelwright $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 - Wheelwright, KY Wheelwright, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wheelwright, 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 Wheelwright, KY median $58,250/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%
Wheelwright, 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 Wheelwright, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 34.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 23.3%

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

Population
945
Median Income
$58,250
Median Home Value
$85,700
Median Age
37.0
Poverty Rate
34.0%
Labor force participation
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
0.0
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 →
400 residents600 residents800 residents1,000 residents1,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 498 residents 1,048 residents ▲ +110.4%
Wheelwright's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
94.1%
Carpool
4.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
0.0%
Other
1.6%

Based on 188 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 Wheelwright 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
94.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Meadow Vale
943 people
South Wallins
948 people
Nortonville
949 people
Beechmont
940 people
Langdon Place
931 people
Plantation
978 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

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

Emmonak, AK
945 people
Hospers, IA
945 people
Solomon, KS
945 people
New Bloomfield, MO
945 people
Fifth Street, TX
945 people
Ehrenberg, AZ
946 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wheelwright's $58,250 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Meadowbrook, CA
$58,250 median income
Chrisman, IL
$58,250 median income
Columbiaville, MI
$58,250 median income
Fleischmanns, NY
$58,250 median income
Pollocksville, NC
$58,250 median income
West Farmington, OH
$58,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wheelwright, 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 Wheelwright, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.8% 6.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 90.8% Black or African American 6.3% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 1.6% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 1.3% 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 Wheelwright 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
Wheelwright (this city) 945 $58,250
Meadow Vale 943 $87,656
South Wallins 948 $29,153
Nortonville 949 $47,946
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wheelwright, KY?

What is the population of Wheelwright, KY? +

945 people live in Wheelwright, KY according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Wheelwright runs $58,250, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wheelwright? +

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

Wheelwright has a total crime rate of 0.0 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 Wheelwright, KY? +

The median home value in Wheelwright is $85,700, 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.