County · Kentucky
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Muhlenberg County had 30,634 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.0% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 9 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 21177.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
30,634
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 30,928 · ACS 2020-2024: 30,591
Median household income
$51,927
±$3,212 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$127,400
±$11,798 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$718
±$72 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Muhlenberg County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 30,928 residents in Muhlenberg County. The Census Bureau estimates 30,634 for July 1, 2025, down 1.0% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 30,591 over 467 square miles of land.
| Measure | Muhlenberg County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 30,591 | 4,534,824 | −360 |
| Households | 12,123±257 | 1,814,469 | +772 |
| Average household size | 2.42±0.05 | 2.43 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 13,557±49 | 2,023,116 | −241 |
Muhlenberg County's population since 2000
From 31,839 in 2000 to 30,634 in 2025: down 3.8%. 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 Muhlenberg County?
Muhlenberg County holds 9 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Central City with 5,793 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Central City | 5,819 | $50,885 |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 4,492 | $46,054 |
| Powderly | 788 | $50,662 |
| BeechmontGEOID 2105014 | 776 | $52,240 |
| DrakesboroGEOID 2122348 | 481 | $34,375 |
| DunmorGEOID 2123014 | 322 | $41,806 |
| BremenGEOID 2109406 | 172 | $68,125 |
| CleatonGEOID 2115490 | 168 | not published |
| South CarrolltonGEOID 2171814 | 141 | $41,307 |
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 Muhlenberg County?
The median resident of Muhlenberg County is 43.2 years old; 21.1% are under 18 and 20.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.9%. 1.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Muhlenberg County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2±0.7 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.1% | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.2%±0.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% | 5.0% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.9%±0.6 pts | 81.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.5 pts | 7.6% | −2.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.4 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 | 2.9%±0.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.0%±0.7 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±1.2 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 22.3%±1.9 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.8%±1.8 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.3%±2.2 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.7%±2.0 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.9%±1.5 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9%±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 Muhlenberg County earn?
Half of Muhlenberg County's 12,123 households earn less than $51,927 a year (±$3,212), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $53,646 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Muhlenberg County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,927±$3,212 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $75,120±$5,507 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,585±$2,044 | $35,821 | +$2,757 |
| People below the poverty line | 18.4%±2.5 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.7%±6.4 pts | 20.3% | +11.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.1%±2.8 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.2%±2.5 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 Muhlenberg County?
Owners occupy 78.8% of Muhlenberg County's occupied homes and renters 21.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $127,400 by its owner (±$11,798). The median renter pays $718 a month including utilities, and 32.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Muhlenberg County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $127,400±$11,798 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $718±$72 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.2%±7.6 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,167±$68 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.8%±2.4 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,557±49 | 2,023,116 | −241 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.9%±4.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.0%±2.6 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.4%±2.3 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.6%±1.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.3%±1.7 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 Muhlenberg County building?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units across Muhlenberg County in 2025 (5 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 Muhlenberg County get to work?
86.0% of Muhlenberg County's workers drive alone and 4.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.7%.
| Measure | Muhlenberg County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.7%±2.2 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7%±1.7 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 86.0%±2.8 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.1%±1.7 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±1.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.0%±1.1 pts | 10.2% | +3.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.0 min±1.8 | 24.0 min | +2.6 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 Muhlenberg County's census tracts?
Muhlenberg County is divided into 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,000 (Tract 9601) to $72,022 (Tract 9606).
| Tract 960121177960100 | 1,074±243 | $34,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9602.0121177960201 | 3,811±500 | $65,099 |
| Tract 9602.0221177960202 | 3,221±566 | $48,869 |
| Tract 960321177960300 | 3,817±425 | $60,208 |
| Tract 960421177960400 | 4,616±382 | $48,977 |
| Tract 960521177960500 | 3,291±217 | $52,457 |
| Tract 960621177960600 | 3,563±426 | $72,022 |
| Tract 960721177960700 | 3,452±426 | $44,316 |
| Tract 960821177960800 | 1,999±256 | $59,856 |
| Tract 960921177960900 | 1,747±248 | $57,961 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Muhlenberg County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 34th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 84th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 56th of 120 |
| Median household income | 75th of 120 |
| Median home value | 78th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 82nd of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 57th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 89th of 120 |
| Median age | 23rd 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 Muhlenberg 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.