McCreary County, KY

County

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    2024 Population
    16,867
    US Senator
    Mitch McConnell
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Rand Paul
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    39
    0.775% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    38.9%
    10.6% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $33,750
    9.65% 1-year decline
    2024 Median Property Value
    $85,300
    10.8% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    4,599
    5.35% 1-year decline

    About

    None of the households in McCreary County, KY reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    99.6% of the residents in McCreary County, KY are U.S. citizens.

    In 2024, the median property value in McCreary County, KY was $85,300, and the homeownership rate was 74.2%.

    Most people in McCreary County, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 32.3 minutes. The average car ownership in McCreary County, KY was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesKentucky

    Population & Diversity

    McCreary County, KY is home to a population of 16.9k people, from which 99.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 0.86% of McCreary County, KY residents were born outside of the country (145 people).

    In 2024, there were 14.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (15k people) in McCreary County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.03k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 325 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    99.6%
    2024 Citizenship
    99.8%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 99.6% of McCreary County, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in McCreary County, KY was 99.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in McCreary County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in McCreary County, KY
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      15k ± 119
    2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
      1.03k ± 151
    3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
      325 ± 126
    2.22%
    Hispanic Population
    375 people

    In 2024, there were 14.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (15k people) in McCreary County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.03k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 325 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    2.22% of the people in McCreary County, KY are hispanic (375 people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in McCreary County, KY as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      34,417 ± 4,537 people
    2. Cuba
      21,613 ± 3,601 people
    3. India
      11,987 ± 2,684 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 34,417 Kentucky residents, followed by Cuba with 21,613 and India with 11,987.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    0.86%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    145 people
    0.497%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    84 people

    As of 2024, 0.86% of McCreary County, KY residents (145 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in McCreary County, KY was 0.497%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in McCreary County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      290 ± 149
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      160 ± 76
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      115 ± 50

    McCreary County, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.81 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in McCreary County, KY.

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    Health

    91.9% of the population of McCreary County, KY has health coverage, with 23.3% on employee plans, 46.5% on Medicaid, 11% on Medicare, 9.04% on non-group plans, and 2.05% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in McCreary County, KY see 16,892 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (16,892 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 8350 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 775 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.5% were men and 49.5% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    16,892 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in McCreary County, KY

    Primary care physicians in McCreary County, KY see an average of 16,892 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (16,892 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in McCreary County, KY in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.1% under 18 years, 19.2% between 18 and 34 years, 38.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.4% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.5% were men and 49.5% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    8.07%
    Uninsured
    23.3%
    Employer Coverage
    46.5%
    Medicaid
    11%
    Medicare
    9.04%
    Non-Group
    2.05%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in McCreary County, KY declined by 3.17% from 8.34% to 8.07%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in McCreary County, KY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 6.43 in McCreary County, KY.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in McCreary County, KY.

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 43.2% in McCreary County, KY.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in McCreary County, KY.

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 8.04% in McCreary County, KY.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in McCreary County, KY.

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    Economy

    The economy of McCreary County, KY employs 4.6k people. In 2024, the largest industries in McCreary County, KY were Health Care & Social Assistance (886 people), Manufacturing (855 people), and Educational Services (531 people), and the highest paying industries were Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($70,341), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($70,246), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($60,139).

    Employment

    Occupations

    4.6k
    2024 Value
    ± 523
    −5.35%
    1 Year decline
    ± 16.9%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in McCreary County, KY declined at a rate of −5.35%, from 4.86k employees to 4.6k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in McCreary County, KY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (575 people), Production Occupations (537 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (417 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of McCreary County, KY.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    4.6k
    2024 Value
    ± 523
    −5.35%
    1 Year decline
    ± 16.9%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in McCreary County, KY declined at a rate of −5.35%, from 4.86k employees to 4.6k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in McCreary County, KY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (886 people), Manufacturing (855 people), and Educational Services (531 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of McCreary County, KY, though some of these residents may live in McCreary County, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $42,743
    Median earning men ± $2,783
    $28,150
    Median earning women ± $4,490

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($70,549), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($61,389), and Other Services Except Public Administration ($57,000).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($31,989), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($30,744), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($29,868).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.
    Y-Axis
    2.51%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 1.98M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 2.51% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14.4%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kentucky.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 22
      Retail Trade
    2. 14
      Retail Trade
    3. 10
      Other Services (except Public Administration)

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $15.1k
      Manufacturing
    2. $10.7k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    3. $10k
      Retail Trade

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 64.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.808%).

    Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing the state of Kentucky. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for McCreary County, KY. Showing the available data for Kentucky.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (64.5%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (33.9%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (0.808%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 64.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.808%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kentucky for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Kentucky

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.
    Mitch McConnell
    Senator from Kentucky2
    Assumed office on January 3, 1985
    Rand Paul
    Senator from Kentucky3
    Assumed office on January 3, 2011

    Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing Kentucky.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in Kentucky over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in McCreary County, KY was $85,300 in 2024, which is 0.256 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $77,000 to $85,300, a 10.8% increase. The homeownership rate in McCreary County, KY is 74.2%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in McCreary County, KY have an average commute time of 32.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in McCreary County, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 12.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in McCreary County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.89%.

    Housing

    Property

    $85,300
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$10,151
    $4,351
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$502

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In McCreary County, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in McCreary County, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    74.2%
    Homeownership
    2024
    58.4%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 74.2% of the housing units in McCreary County, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 74.4%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in McCreary County, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $33,750
    Median Household Income
    ± $7,376
    5.86k
    Number of Households
    ± 632

    In 2024, the median household income of the 5.86k households in McCreary County, KY declined from $33,750 from the previous year's value of $37,355.

    The following chart displays the households in McCreary County, KY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $10k - $15k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for McCreary County, KY is from Kentucky.
    0.446
    2024 Wage GINI in Kentucky
    0.449
    2023 Wage GINI in Kentucky

    In 2024, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.446 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.585% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (77.9%)
    2. Carpooled (10.6%)
    3. Worked At Home (9.17%)

    In 2024, 77.9% of workers in McCreary County, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.6%) and those who worked at home (9.17%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    32.3 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in McCreary County, KY have a longer commute time (32.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 4.5% of the workforce in McCreary County, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in McCreary County, KY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in McCreary County, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in McCreary County, KY have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 12.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in McCreary County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.89%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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    Poverty & Diversity

    38.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in McCreary County, KY (5.86k out of 15.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 55 - 64, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in McCreary County, KY is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 41.7% of the children was living in poverty in McCreary County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 9.5%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 36.4 in McCreary County, KY. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 22.7% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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