County · Kentucky
Mercer County, Kentucky
Mercer County, Kentucky. Mercer County had 23,733 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.8% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 3 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 21167.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
23,733
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 22,641 · ACS 2020-2024: 23,028
Median household income
$64,824
±$5,652 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$202,300
±$16,526 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$831
±$77 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Mercer County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 22,641 residents in Mercer County. The Census Bureau estimates 23,733 for July 1, 2025, up 4.8% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 23,028 over 249 square miles of land.
| Measure | Mercer County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 23,028 | 4,534,824 | +1,436 |
| Households | 9,181±258 | 1,814,469 | +625 |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.07 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,472±32 | 2,023,116 | +325 |
Mercer County's population since 2000
From 20,817 in 2000 to 23,733 in 2025: up 14.0%. 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 Mercer County?
Mercer County holds 3 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Harrodsburg with 9,576 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Harrodsburg | 9,064 | $48,381 |
|---|---|---|
| Burgin | 979 | $77,585 |
| SalvisaGEOID 2168214 | 410 | $61,250 |
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 Mercer County?
The median resident of Mercer County is 42.9 years old; 21.8% are under 18 and 18.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.4%. 2.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mercer County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9±0.9 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.8%±0.5 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.9%±0.6 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.4% | 5.0% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.0%±0.2 pts | 81.5% | −0.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.1%±0.9 pts | 7.6% | −1.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±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%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1%±0.9 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.9%±1.3 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.1%±1.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±1.5 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 14.9%±2.0 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.0%±1.6 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.0%±1.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.9%±3.4 pts | 27.6% | +6.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.2%±1.9 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7%±1.3 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 Mercer County earn?
Half of Mercer County's 9,181 households earn less than $64,824 a year (±$5,652), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $67,803 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mercer County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,824±$5,652 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,091±$5,470 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,683±$2,024 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.7%±3.1 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.6%±6.0 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.9%±2.9 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.8%±3.1 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 Mercer County?
Owners occupy 75.9% of Mercer County's occupied homes and renters 24.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $202,300 by its owner (±$16,526). The median renter pays $831 a month including utilities, and 25.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mercer County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $202,300±$16,526 | $205,600 | +$21,019 |
| Median gross rent | $831±$77 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.2%±7.8 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,373±$56 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.9%±3.4 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,472±32 | 2,023,116 | +325 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.4%±3.6 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.1%±2.0 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.2%±1.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.0%±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 Mercer County building?
Builders took permits for 132 new housing units across Mercer County in 2025 (92 single-family), 5.6 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 Mercer County get to work?
78.1% of Mercer County's workers drive alone and 10.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.4%.
| Measure | Mercer County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.0%±2.2 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4%±2.0 pts | 4.9% | −3.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.1%±4.9 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.2%±3.6 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.9%±3.2 pts | 10.2% | +6.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.2 min±2.0 | 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 Mercer County's census tracts?
Mercer County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $56,170 (Tract 9602) to $86,465 (Tract 9601).
| Tract 960121167960100 | 4,708±589 | $86,465 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960221167960200 | 6,092±766 | $56,170 |
| Tract 960321167960300 | 3,643±597 | $61,208 |
| Tract 960421167960400 | 5,225±600 | $60,386 |
| Tract 960521167960500 | 3,360±456 | $79,130 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Mercer County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 51st of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 28th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 37th of 120 |
| Median household income | 30th of 120 |
| Median home value | 27th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 39th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 111th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21st of 120 |
| Median age | 25th 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 Mercer 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.