County · Kentucky
Estill County, Kentucky
Estill County, Kentucky. Estill County had 13,962 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.4% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 21065.
Estill County is one of the 3 counties of the Richmond-Berea, KY micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
13,962
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,163 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,035
Median household income
$46,051
±$4,663 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$119,500
±$12,843 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$711
±$55 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Estill County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,163 residents in Estill County. The Census Bureau estimates 13,962 for July 1, 2025, down 1.4% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,035 over 253 square miles of land.
| Measure | Estill County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,035 | 4,534,824 | −189 |
| Households | 5,975±219 | 1,814,469 | +476 |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.09 | 2.43 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 6,864±24 | 2,023,116 | −63 |
Estill County's population since 2000
From 15,307 in 2000 to 13,962 in 2025: down 8.8%. 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 Estill County?
Estill County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Irvine with 2,273 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Estill County?
The median resident of Estill County is 44.4 years old; 21.3% are under 18 and 19.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.0%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Estill County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.4±0.5 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.3%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.6%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.0%±0.5 pts | 81.5% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±1.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.8 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.0%±0.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.3%±1.2 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 24.7%±2.4 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.3%±1.9 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 78.6%±4.3 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.2%±2.0 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.3%±1.6 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3%±0.3 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 Estill County earn?
Half of Estill County's 5,975 households earn less than $46,051 a year (±$4,663), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 the median was $38,998 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,053 after inflation. 20.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Estill County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $46,051±$4,663 | $63,726 | +$7,053 |
| Mean household income | $60,646±$4,664 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,226±$1,955 | $35,821 | +$3,386 |
| People below the poverty line | 20.7%±4.1 pts | 16.1% | −10.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.0%±7.3 pts | 20.3% | −21.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 25.8%±3.5 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.7%±3.2 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 Estill County?
Owners occupy 70.4% of Estill County's occupied homes and renters 29.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $119,500 by its owner (±$12,843). The median renter pays $711 a month including utilities, and 35.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Estill County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $119,500±$12,843 | $205,600 | +$24,983 |
| Median gross rent | $711±$55 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.2%±8.5 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,080±$102 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.4%±4.3 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,864±24 | 2,023,116 | −63 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.5 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.5%±4.2 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 22.5%±3.4 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5%±1.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.0%±2.5 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 Estill County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Estill County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Estill County get to work?
76.5% of Estill County's workers drive alone and 7.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 35.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | Estill County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.6%±3.1 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0%±2.5 pts | 4.9% | −4.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.5%±3.7 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.4%±3.1 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 4.5%±1.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.0%±2.5 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 35.3 min±4.1 | 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 Estill County's census tracts?
Estill County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $32,348 (Tract 9204) to $64,588 (Tract 9203.01).
| Tract 920121065920100 | 1,290±209 | $36,577 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9202.0121065920201 | 1,751±283 | $41,795 |
| Tract 9202.0221065920202 | 4,039±464 | $52,100 |
| Tract 9203.0121065920301 | 1,723±287 | $64,588 |
| Tract 9203.0221065920302 | 3,656±471 | $45,833 |
| Tract 920421065920400 | 1,576±281 | $32,348 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Estill County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 78th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 93rd of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 65th of 120 |
| Median household income | 91st of 120 |
| Median home value | 91st of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 87th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 40th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 107th of 120 |
| Median age | 13th 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 Estill 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.