County · Kentucky
Perry County, Kentucky
Perry County, Kentucky. Perry County had 26,555 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 6.7% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 6 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 21193.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
26,555
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 28,473 · ACS 2020-2024: 27,499
Median household income
$42,181
±$7,458 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$91,800
±$5,380 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$798
±$64 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Perry County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 28,473 residents in Perry County. The Census Bureau estimates 26,555 for July 1, 2025, down 6.7% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 27,499 over 340 square miles of land.
| Measure | Perry County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 27,499 | 4,534,824 | +875 |
| Households | 11,078±335 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.42±0.07 | 2.43 | +0.11 |
| Housing units | 13,295±29 | 2,023,116 | +295 |
Perry County's population since 2000
From 29,390 in 2000 to 26,555 in 2025: down 9.6%. 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 Perry County?
Perry County holds 6 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Hazard with 4,794 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Hazard | 5,263 | $51,016 |
|---|---|---|
| DiablockGEOID 2121358 | 409 | $18,750 |
| CombsGEOID 2116822 | 339 | $40,769 |
| ViccoGEOID 2179590 | 327 | $43,393 |
| JeffGEOID 2140204 | 293 | $250,000 or more |
| BuckhornGEOID 2110612 | 89 | not published |
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 Perry County?
The median resident of Perry County is 41.5 years old; 23.4% are under 18 and 18.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.3%.
| Measure | Perry County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5±0.7 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.4%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.0%±0.4 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 5.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.7%±1.2 pts | 81.5% | −1.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.5 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 | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±1.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7%±0.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.0%±1.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 30.9%±2.6 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.4%±0.6 pts | 6.0% | −2.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.4%±2.7 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.8%±1.9 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.6%±1.6 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±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 Perry County earn?
Half of Perry County's 11,078 households earn less than $42,181 a year (±$7,458), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $41,401 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 26.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Perry County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $42,181±$7,458 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,788±$8,168 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,931±$2,911 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 26.8%±4.3 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.3%±8.3 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 28.6%±3.6 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.7%±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 Perry County?
Owners occupy 70.4% of Perry County's occupied homes and renters 29.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $91,800 by its owner (±$5,380). The median renter pays $798 a month including utilities, and 40.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Perry County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $91,800±$5,380 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $798±$64 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.9%±11.3 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,167±$73 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.4%±4.0 pts | 68.3% | −5.5 pts |
| Housing units | 13,295±29 | 2,023,116 | +295 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.1%±1.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.7%±5.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.9%±3.6 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 32.0%±2.9 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.0%±2.0 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 Perry County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Perry County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Perry County get to work?
72.9% of Perry County's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.
| Measure | Perry County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.5%±2.9 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8%±1.8 pts | 4.9% | −6.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 72.9%±4.2 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 16.2%±4.1 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.0%±1.1 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2%±2.2 pts | 10.2% | +3.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min±2.4 | 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 Perry County's census tracts?
Perry County is divided into 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $27,894 (Tract 9706.02) to $59,198 (Tract 9703).
| Tract 970321193970300 | 3,250±619 | $59,198 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970421193970400 | 4,189±704 | $43,620 |
| Tract 9705.0121193970501 | 3,148±768 | $33,536 |
| Tract 9705.0221193970502 | 2,438±640 | $54,167 |
| Tract 9706.0121193970601 | 2,235±495 | $34,929 |
| Tract 9706.0221193970602 | 2,179±373 | $27,894 |
| Tract 970721193970700 | 1,900±393 | $55,000 |
| Tract 970821193970800 | 2,252±474 | $41,429 |
| Tract 970921193970900 | 1,600±501 | $52,589 |
| Tract 971021193971000 | 4,308±628 | $48,859 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Perry County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 39th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 116th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 43rd of 120 |
| Median household income | 101st of 120 |
| Median home value | 106th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 48th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 16th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 88th of 120 |
| Median age | 60th 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 Perry 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.