City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Wilder, KY

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

3,148
Residents
$71,567
Median income
$137,600
Median home
$1,353
Median rent (state)

Wilder - the verdict

Nationally, Wilder sits in the 52nd percentile for household income and the 74th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

52nd
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
50th
percentile, median rent
74th
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: Wilder, KY

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,148 residents in Wilder, a small town within Kentucky. Wilder households earn a median of $71,567 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.0%. Wilder's housing stock carries a median value of $137,600, and the median resident age is 38.8 years. 59.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 63.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity). Wilder reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 747.7 crimes per 100,000 residents, below 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: the state registers 90.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,353 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Kentucky, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 77.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

3,148 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$71,567 /yr

Poverty 4.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Wilder compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 52% higher than other cities
Home value 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 50% pricier than other cities
Safety 74% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Kentucky, Wilder ranks #83 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Wilder against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kentucky only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kentucky-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Wilder's strongest outlier among Kentucky cities

Among the 520 Kentucky cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Wilder ranks #45 - the 91st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Wilder only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#153 of 485
68th percentile in Kentucky
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 520
90th percentile in Kentucky
Median Home Value
#261 of 484
46th percentile in Kentucky
Poverty Rate
#387 of 519
25th percentile in Kentucky
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#45 of 520
91st percentile in Kentucky

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Kentucky only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

52ndIncome percentile
74thSafety percentile

52nd percentile nationally for median household income · 74th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wilder's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wilder'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 63 Avg. percentile National median
Wilder'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 Wilder's home value compares nationally

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

$137,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% 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. Wilder $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 - Wilder, KY Wilder, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wilder, 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 Wilder, KY median $71,567/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%
Wilder, 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 Wilder, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 59.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.4%

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

Population
3,148
Median Income
$71,567
Median Home Value
$137,600
Median Age
38.8
Poverty Rate
4.0%
Labor force participation
63.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
59.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
747.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
97.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
650.2
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 →
3,050 residents3,100 residents3,150 residents3,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,173 residents 3,108 residents ▼ -2.0%
Wilder's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 1

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.7%
Carpool
5.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.8%
Work from Home
18.0%

Based on 1,698 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 Wilder sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,353/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.4 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Park Hills
3,155 people
Barbourville
3,181 people
Morganfield
3,208 people
Stanton
3,211 people
Crestview Hills
3,226 people
Hodgenville
3,262 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wilder's 3,148 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bushnell, FL
3,148 people
Maybrook, NY
3,147 people
High Bridge, WA
3,147 people
Soda Springs, ID
3,150 people
McDonald, OH
3,150 people
Redwood, OR
3,150 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wilder's $71,567 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

North Henderson, IL
$71,563 median income
Le Sueur, MN
$71,563 median income
Cedar Hill Lakes, MO
$71,563 median income
Avoca, NE
$71,563 median income
Walpole, NH
$71,563 median income
Tiawah, OK
$71,563 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wilder, 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 Wilder, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 96.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 96.4% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 2.3% 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 Wilder 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
Wilder (this city) 3,148 $71,567
Park Hills 3,155 $102,112
Barbourville 3,181 $20,971
Morganfield 3,208 $63,546
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wilder, KY?

What is the population of Wilder, KY? +

The population of Wilder, KY stands at 3,148 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Wilder is $71,567 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wilder? +

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

Wilder has a total crime rate of 747.7 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 Wilder, KY? +

Wilder's median home value sits at $137,600, 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

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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.