County · Kentucky
McLean County, Kentucky
McLean County, Kentucky. McLean County had 9,064 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.0% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 5 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 21149.
McLean County is one of the 2 counties of the Owensboro, KY metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,064
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,152 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,114
Median household income
$65,596
±$8,147 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$148,500
±$16,588 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$641
±$45 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in McLean County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,152 residents in McLean County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,064 for July 1, 2025, down 1.0% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,114 over 253 square miles of land.
| Measure | McLean County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,114 | 4,534,824 | −169 |
| Households | 3,641±141 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.10 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,173±20 | 2,023,116 | −113 |
McLean County's population since 2000
From 9,938 in 2000 to 9,064 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 McLean County?
McLean County holds 5 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Livermore with 1,197 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 McLean County?
The median resident of McLean County is 43.3 years old; 22.5% are under 18 and 20.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.6%. 0.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | McLean County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3±0.7 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.5%±0.5 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.5%±0.6 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2% | 5.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.1%±0.5 pts | 81.5% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.6 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7%±0.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1%±1.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 19.7%±2.5 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.9%±1.1 pts | 6.0% | −2.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.7%±2.0 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.8%±2.8 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.2%±2.5 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.5 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 McLean County earn?
Half of McLean County's 3,641 households earn less than $65,596 a year (±$8,147), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $63,825 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | McLean County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,596±$8,147 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $84,632±$7,135 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,651±$2,897 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.5%±2.5 pts | 16.1% | −6.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.3%±3.3 pts | 20.3% | −18.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.3%±2.8 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3%±3.3 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 McLean County?
Owners occupy 82.8% of McLean County's occupied homes and renters 17.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $148,500 by its owner (±$16,588). The median renter pays $641 a month including utilities, and 32.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | McLean County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $148,500±$16,588 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $641±$45 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.4%±12.1 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,167±$66 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.8%±3.4 pts | 68.3% | +4.4 pts |
| Housing units | 4,173±20 | 2,023,116 | −113 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2%±1.9 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4%±4.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.6%±3.7 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.3%±3.4 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±1.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.3%±2.9 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 McLean County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across McLean County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.2 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 McLean County get to work?
82.7% of McLean County's workers drive alone and 6.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.6%.
| Measure | McLean County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.3%±2.9 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6%±2.2 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 82.7%±4.5 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1%±3.2 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.8%±3.0 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.4 min±2.2 | 24.0 min | +5.8 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 McLean County's census tracts?
McLean County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,348 (Tract 9701) to $72,917 (Tract 9702).
| Tract 970121149970100 | 3,050±368 | $59,348 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970221149970200 | 3,385±350 | $72,917 |
| Tract 970521149970500 | 2,679±332 | $69,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does McLean County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 101st of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 83rd of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 95th of 120 |
| Median household income | 26th of 120 |
| Median home value | 60th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 105th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 117th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 62nd of 120 |
| Median age | 20th 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 McLean 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.