County · Kentucky
McCracken County, Kentucky
McCracken County, Kentucky. McCracken County had 67,553 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.5% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 6 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 19 census tracts. GEOID 21145.
McCracken County is one of the 5 counties of the Paducah, KY-IL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
67,553
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 67,875 · ACS 2020-2024: 67,564
Median household income
$64,373
±$2,581 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$188,100
±$8,553 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$898
±$40 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in McCracken County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 67,875 residents in McCracken County. The Census Bureau estimates 67,553 for July 1, 2025, down 0.5% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 67,564 over 249 square miles of land.
| Measure | McCracken County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 67,564 | 4,534,824 | +2,296 |
| Households | 27,601±591 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.05 | 2.43 | +0.11 |
| Housing units | 32,280±52 | 2,023,116 | +215 |
McCracken County's population since 2000
From 65,514 in 2000 to 67,553 in 2025: up 3.1%. 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 McCracken County?
McCracken County holds 6 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Paducah with 26,730 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 McCracken County?
The median resident of McCracken County is 42.3 years old; 21.8% are under 18 and 20.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 9.7%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | McCracken County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3±0.6 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.8% | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.5%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.4% | 5.0% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.1%±0.4 pts | 81.5% | −2.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.7%±0.7 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±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 | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.2%±0.8 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.1%±0.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0%±0.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 16.5%±1.2 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.9%±0.9 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.1%±0.8 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.0%±1.9 pts | 27.6% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.4%±1.2 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±0.6 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 McCracken County earn?
Half of McCracken County's 27,601 households earn less than $64,373 a year (±$2,581), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 the median was $56,710 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,663 after inflation. 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | McCracken County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,373±$2,581 | $63,726 | +$7,663 |
| Mean household income | $93,079±$6,008 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,193±$2,491 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.2%±1.6 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.9%±4.5 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.0%±1.2 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.1%±1.5 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 McCracken County?
Owners occupy 68.9% of McCracken County's occupied homes and renters 31.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $188,100 by its owner (±$8,553). The median renter pays $898 a month including utilities, and 36.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | McCracken County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $188,100±$8,553 | $205,600 | +$11,619 |
| Median gross rent | $898±$40 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.4%±4.7 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,364±$64 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.9%±2.1 pts | 68.3% | +3.8 pts |
| Housing units | 32,280±52 | 2,023,116 | +215 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.2%±2.2 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.7%±2.1 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.5%±1.2 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.3%±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 McCracken County building?
Builders took permits for 170 new housing units across McCracken County in 2025 (90 single-family), 2.5 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 McCracken County get to work?
81.7% of McCracken County's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | McCracken County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.6%±1.3 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±0.8 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.7%±2.0 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.0%±1.1 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.0%±0.7 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3%±1.4 pts | 10.2% | +5.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.6 min±0.9 | 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 McCracken County's census tracts?
McCracken County is divided into 19 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $24,741 (Tract 304) to $107,608 (Tract 308).
| Tract 30121145030100 | 945±280 | $37,262 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 30221145030200 | 2,185±343 | $29,844 |
| Tract 30321145030300 | 1,703±349 | $37,109 |
| Tract 30421145030400 | 1,444±303 | $24,741 |
| Tract 30521145030500 | 1,552±282 | $37,375 |
| Tract 30621145030600 | 3,476±572 | $31,275 |
| Tract 30721145030700 | 4,306±630 | $42,330 |
| Tract 30821145030800 | 5,166±650 | $107,608 |
| Tract 30921145030900 | 3,809±472 | $49,344 |
| Tract 31021145031000 | 4,385±667 | $48,538 |
| Tract 31121145031100 | 6,311±855 | $95,172 |
| Tract 31221145031200 | 4,381±656 | $73,700 |
| Tract 313.0121145031301 | 5,352±556 | $64,632 |
| Tract 313.0221145031302 | 6,484±974 | $92,096 |
| Tract 314.0121145031401 | 1,598±344 | $57,090 |
| Tract 314.0221145031402 | 4,954±572 | $66,105 |
| Tract 315.0121145031501 | 2,365±333 | $69,938 |
| Tract 315.0221145031502 | 3,901±533 | $76,474 |
| Tract 31621145031600 | 3,247±448 | $101,536 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does McCracken County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 13th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 78th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 120 |
| Median household income | 32nd of 120 |
| Median home value | 33rd of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 25th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 84th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15th 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 McCracken 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.