County · Kentucky
Owsley County, Kentucky
Owsley County, Kentucky. Owsley County had 3,932 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.0% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 21189.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,932
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,051 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,971
Median household income
$22,188
±$9,297 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$80,100
±$23,071 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$448
±$268 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Owsley County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 4,051 residents in Owsley County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,932 for July 1, 2025, down 3.0% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,971 over 197 square miles of land.
| Measure | Owsley County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,971 | 4,534,824 | −471 |
| Households | 1,567±158 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.25 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,052±177 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
Owsley County's population since 2000
From 4,858 in 2000 to 3,932 in 2025: down 19.1%. 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 Owsley County?
Owsley County holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Booneville with 154 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| BoonevilleGEOID 2108614 | 168 | $48,125 |
|---|
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 Owsley County?
The median resident of Owsley County is 47.7 years old; 19.3% are under 18 and 20.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.3%.
| Measure | Owsley County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.7±2.2 | 39.1 | +4.3 |
| Under 18 years | 19.3%±3.3 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.5%±4.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.5%±3.3 pts | 81.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3%±3.2 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.0%±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 38.7%±7.8 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.8%±2.5 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 70.4%±6.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 7.1%±3.8 pts | 27.6% | −9.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.1%±1.5 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±1.5 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 Owsley County earn?
Half of Owsley County's 1,567 households earn less than $22,188 a year (±$9,297), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 the median was $37,270 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $15,082 after inflation. 36.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Owsley County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $22,188±$9,297 | $63,726 | −$15,082 |
| Mean household income | $42,014±$10,600 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $18,731±$4,001 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 36.1%±7.5 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.0%±15.4 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 37.8%±8.8 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 73.3%±7.9 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 Owsley County?
Owners occupy 70.1% of Owsley County's occupied homes and renters 29.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $80,100 by its owner (±$23,071). The median renter pays $448 a month including utilities, and 44.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Owsley County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $80,100±$23,071 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $448±$268 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.3%±18.8 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,014±$161 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.1%±8.1 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,052±177 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±3.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.7%±3.0 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.9%±7.4 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 28.2%±6.5 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.2%±3.1 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 do people in Owsley County get to work?
72.8% of Owsley County's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 31.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 12.6%.
| Measure | Owsley County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 39.2%±5.8 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 12.6%±7.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.8%±9.1 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.5%±8.5 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±3.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.6%±2.9 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.1%±6.4 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.5 min±12.0 | 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 Owsley County's census tracts?
Owsley County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $20,481 (Tract 9301) to $26,488 (Tract 9302).
| Tract 930121189930100 | 2,170±271 | $20,481 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 930221189930200 | 1,801±271 | $26,488 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Owsley County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 119th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 102nd of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 118th of 120 |
| Median household income | 120th of 120 |
| Median home value | 113th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 119th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 5th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 120th of 120 |
| Median age | 1st 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 Owsley 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.