County · Kentucky
Graves County, Kentucky
Graves County, Kentucky. Graves County had 37,050 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 10 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 8 census-designated) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 21083.
Graves County is the county of the Mayfield, KY micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
37,050
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 36,649 · ACS 2020-2024: 36,630
Median household income
$50,772
±$3,209 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$147,800
±$12,475 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$775
±$80 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Graves County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 36,649 residents in Graves County. The Census Bureau estimates 37,050 for July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 36,630 over 552 square miles of land.
| Measure | Graves County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 36,630 | 4,534,824 | −618 |
| Households | 14,139±399 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.55±0.07 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 16,425±272 | 2,023,116 | −461 |
Graves County's population since 2000
From 37,028 in 2000 to 37,050 in 2025: up 0.1%. 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 Graves County?
Graves County holds 10 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Mayfield with 9,851 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Mayfield | 10,017 | $40,965 |
|---|---|---|
| SymsoniaGEOID 2175270 | 622 | not published |
| Wingo | 573 | $50,000 |
| Fancy FarmGEOID 2126452 | 403 | $60,268 |
| SedaliaGEOID 2169258 | 279 | $45,900 |
| PryorsburgGEOID 2163426 | 262 | not published |
| Water ValleyGEOID 2180832 | 235 | $42,143 |
| HickoryGEOID 2136316 | 235 | not published |
| FarmingtonGEOID 2126614 | 234 | $33,636 |
| LowesGEOID 2148234 | 92 | not published |
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 Graves County?
The median resident of Graves County is 40.4 years old; 24.2% are under 18 and 18.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.1%. 2.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Graves County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4±0.7 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.2%±0.2 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.4%±0.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.1% | 5.0% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.8%±0.5 pts | 81.5% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.2%±0.8 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| 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 | 3.0%±0.9 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.8%±0.6 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.1%±1.1 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1%±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 19.8%±1.9 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6%±1.7 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.3%±1.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.4%±2.4 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.1%±1.7 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2%±0.9 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 Graves County earn?
Half of Graves County's 14,139 households earn less than $50,772 a year (±$3,209), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $54,203 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Graves County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,772±$3,209 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,127±$5,608 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,535±$2,360 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.9%±2.8 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.5%±5.8 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.8%±2.2 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.4%±2.9 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 Graves County?
Owners occupy 76.1% of Graves County's occupied homes and renters 23.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $147,800 by its owner (±$12,475). The median renter pays $775 a month including utilities, and 40.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Graves County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $147,800±$12,475 | $205,600 | +$19,439 |
| Median gross rent | $775±$80 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.6%±8.5 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,227±$69 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.1%±3.0 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 16,425±272 | 2,023,116 | −461 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.5%±2.2 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.5%±2.2 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.0%±1.7 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.1%±1.3 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 Graves County building?
Builders took permits for 83 new housing units across Graves County in 2025 (83 single-family), 2.2 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 Graves County get to work?
80.9% of Graves County's workers drive alone and 7.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Graves County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.3%±2.3 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4%±1.2 pts | 4.9% | −2.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 80.9%±3.0 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±1.9 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±1.0 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.4%±1.8 pts | 10.2% | +5.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.7 min±1.1 | 24.0 min | −2.2 min |
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 Graves County's census tracts?
Graves County is divided into 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,106 (Tract 203.01) to $61,765 (Tract 206).
| Tract 20121083020100 | 4,644±582 | $44,476 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 20221083020200 | 4,271±610 | $52,246 |
| Tract 203.0121083020301 | 4,049±563 | $36,106 |
| Tract 203.0221083020302 | 2,200±409 | $40,338 |
| Tract 20421083020400 | 2,580±475 | $59,750 |
| Tract 20521083020500 | 3,666±451 | $50,487 |
| Tract 20621083020600 | 2,256±337 | $61,765 |
| Tract 20721083020700 | 5,133±529 | $60,658 |
| Tract 20821083020800 | 4,482±538 | $53,036 |
| Tract 20921083020900 | 3,349±524 | $61,351 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Graves County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 29th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 70th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 55th of 120 |
| Median household income | 81st of 120 |
| Median home value | 61st of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 60th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 48th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 47th of 120 |
| Median age | 81st 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 Graves 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.