County · Kentucky
Boyd County, Kentucky
Boyd County, Kentucky. Boyd County had 47,751 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 5 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 15 census tracts. GEOID 21019.
Boyd County is one of the 8 counties of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
47,751
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 48,261 · ACS 2020-2024: 47,911
Median household income
$61,118
±$3,296 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$130,700
±$9,695 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$849
±$59 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Boyd County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 48,261 residents in Boyd County. The Census Bureau estimates 47,751 for July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 47,911 over 160 square miles of land.
| Measure | Boyd County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 47,911 | 4,534,824 | +229 |
| Households | 19,309±401 | 1,814,469 | +1,099 |
| Average household size | 2.38±0.05 | 2.43 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 21,742±41 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
Boyd County's population since 2000
From 49,752 in 2000 to 47,751 in 2025: down 4.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Boyd County?
Boyd County holds 5 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Ashland with 20,996 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Ashland | 21,625 | $52,715 |
|---|---|---|
| Westwood, Boyd County | 4,387 | $73,511 |
| Catlettsburg | 1,780 | $38,276 |
| CannonsburgGEOID 2112610 | 862 | $76,450 |
| IronvilleGEOID 2139592 | 782 | $36,856 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Boyd County?
The median resident of Boyd County is 42.3 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 20.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.2%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Boyd County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3±0.5 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.5%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% | 5.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.2%±0.4 pts | 81.5% | −0.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.3%±0.4 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.0%±0.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.6%±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 22.4%±1.4 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.4%±0.7 pts | 6.0% | −1.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.8%±1.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.0%±2.1 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.0%±1.4 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3%±0.7 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 Boyd County earn?
Half of Boyd County's 19,309 households earn less than $61,118 a year (±$3,296), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $59,452 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Boyd County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,118±$3,296 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,641±$3,534 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,752±$1,370 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.9%±1.7 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.9%±4.3 pts | 20.3% | −8.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.3%±2.2 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.1%±1.9 pts | 88.6% | – |
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 Boyd County?
Owners occupy 70.2% of Boyd County's occupied homes and renters 29.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $130,700 by its owner (±$9,695). The median renter pays $849 a month including utilities, and 38.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Boyd County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $130,700±$9,695 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $849±$59 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.2%±5.1 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,217±$41 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.2%±2.4 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 21,742±41 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4%±2.0 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.8%±2.3 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.2%±1.7 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.5%±1.4 pts | 9.0% | – |
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 Boyd County building?
Builders took permits for 12 new housing units across Boyd County in 2025 (4 single-family), 0.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Boyd County get to work?
80.7% of Boyd County's workers drive alone and 5.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.4%.
| Measure | Boyd County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.9%±1.5 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4%±1.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.7%±2.5 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.6%±2.0 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.7%±0.9 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.9%±1.3 pts | 10.2% | +3.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.1 min±1.5 | 24.0 min | no clear change |
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 are Boyd County's census tracts?
Boyd County is divided into 15 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $32,764 (Tract 308) to $101,150 (Tract 311.02).
| Tract 30221019030200 | 1,410±280 | $40,365 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 30321019030300 | 2,030±299 | $41,851 |
| Tract 30421019030400 | 2,518±407 | $59,844 |
| Tract 30521019030500 | 4,473±441 | $65,500 |
| Tract 30621019030600 | 3,788±350 | $69,696 |
| Tract 30721019030700 | 3,198±441 | $45,909 |
| Tract 30821019030800 | 3,888±442 | $32,764 |
| Tract 30921019030900 | 4,850±743 | $70,792 |
| Tract 310.0121019031001 | 1,099±209 | $73,125 |
| Tract 310.0321019031003 | 3,285±280 | $84,904 |
| Tract 310.0421019031004 | 4,301±931 | $64,096 |
| Tract 311.0121019031101 | 5,176±425 | $71,103 |
| Tract 311.0221019031102 | 2,444±543 | $101,150 |
| Tract 31221019031200 | 3,353±622 | $62,799 |
| Tract 31321019031300 | 2,098±283 | $48,420 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Boyd County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 21st of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 85th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 8th of 120 |
| Median household income | 44th of 120 |
| Median home value | 76th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 35th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 72nd of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 120 |
| Median age | 38th of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Boyd County 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' school search.