Mercer County, KY

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Population

21,378

0.154% decline

Poverty Rate

16.7%


Median Age

42.8


Median Household Income

$47,574

3.13% growth

Number of Employees

9,657

2.24% growth

Median Property Value

$139,900

4.4% growth

About

COVID-19

Economy

Health

Diversity

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Mercer County, KY had a population of 21.4k people with a median age of 42.8 and a median household income of $47,574. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Mercer County, KY declined from 21,411 to 21,378, a -0.154% decrease and its median household income grew from $46,130 to $47,574, a 3.13% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Mercer County, KY are White (Non-Hispanic) (91.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.07%), Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (1.34%), Some Other Race (Hispanic) (1.28%), and White (Hispanic) (1.24%). N/A% of the people in Mercer County, KY speak a non-English language, and 98.3% are U.S. citizens.

The median property value in Mercer County, KY is $139,900, and the homeownership rate is 71.8%. Most people in Mercer County, KY commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 25.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Mercer County, KY is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Bill Brine

United StatesKentucky

COVID-19

Total Confirmed Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Kentucky. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Kentucky, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

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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Community Mobility

Showing data at the state level for Kentucky. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Kentucky across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

The economy of Mercer County, KY employs 9.66k people. The largest industries in Mercer County, KY are Manufacturing (2,001 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,375 people), and Retail Trade (1,008 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($82,188), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($63,750), and Transportation & Warehousing ($52,841).

Median household income in Mercer County, KY is $47,574. Males in Mercer County, KY have an average income that is 1.36 times higher than the average income of females, which is $41,451. The income inequality in Mercer County, KY (measured using the Gini index) is 0.457, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$47,574

2017 value

± $2,789

3.13%

1 Year Growth

± 8.35%

Households in Mercer County, KY have a median annual income of $47,574, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $46,130 in 2016, which represents a 3.13% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Mercer County, KY compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

$56,557

Average Male Salary

± $1,518

$41,451

Average Female Salary

± $1,092

In 2017, full-time male employees in Kentucky made 1.36 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Kentucky by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $55,164 ± $10,370

  2. White

    $43,856 ± $923

  3. American Indian

    $34,557 ± $13,648

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Kentucky workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.26 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Kentucky by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Mercer County, KY is from Kentucky.

0.457

2017 Wage GINI

0.455

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.457 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.329% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 9601

  2. Census Tract 9605

  3. Census Tract 9603

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Mercer County, KY was Census Tract 9601 with a value of $62,222, followed by Census Tract 9605 and Census Tract 9603, with respective values of $56,761 and $43,784.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Mercer County, KY colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 45 - 54

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Mercer County, KY (3.53k out of 21.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 6 - 11.

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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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    3,284 ± 357

  2. Hispanic

    165 ± 112

  3. Two Or More

    110 ± 114

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

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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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

9.66k

2017 Value

± 611

2.24%

1 Year growth

± 8.7%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Mercer County, KY grew at a rate of 2.24%, from 9.45k employees to 9.66k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Mercer County, KY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,470 people), Production Occupations (1,223 people), and Management Occupations (856 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Mercer County, KY.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Mercer County, KY, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,470 people), Production Occupations (1,223 people), and Management Occupations (856 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Mercer County, KY has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.18 times higher than expected), Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.76 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.46 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Mercer County, KY, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($115,278), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($72,841), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($59,625).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

9.66k

2017 Value

± 611

2.24%

1 Year growth

± 8.7%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Mercer County, KY grew at a rate of 2.24%, from 9.45k employees to 9.66k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Mercer County, KY, are Manufacturing (2,001 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,375 people), and Retail Trade (1,008 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Mercer County, KY, though some of these residents may live in Mercer County, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Mercer County, KY, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (2,001 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,375 people), and Retail Trade (1,008 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Mercer County, KY has an unusually high number of Utilities (2.09 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (2.05 times), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.84 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Mercer County, KY, by median earnings, are Utilities ($82,188), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($63,750), and Transportation & Warehousing ($52,841).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Motorized vehicles

    $74.6B

  2. Base metals

    $17.8B

  3. Gasoline

    $17.2B

In 2015, the top outbound Kentucky product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $74.6B, followed by Base metals ($17.8B) and Gasoline ($17.2B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Kentucky products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Kentucky state.

$301B

2020 Value

$398B

Projected 2045 Value

32.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Kentucky trade was $301B. This is expected to increase 32.3% to $398B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Kentucky trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. Ohio

    $23.5B

  2. Indiana

    $20.7B

  3. Tennessee

    $17.9B

In 2015, the top outbound Kentucky domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Ohio with $23.5B, followed by Indiana with $20.7B and Tennessee and $17.9B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Kentucky shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

92.4% of the population of Mercer County, KY has health coverage, with 46.7% on employee plans, 17.2% on Medicaid, 14% on Medicare, 12.9% on non-group plans, and 1.55% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Mercer County, KY was $8,004 in 2014. This is a 6.11% increase from the previous year ($7,543).

Primary care physicians in Mercer County, KY see 2676 patients per year on average, which represents a 24.7% decrease from the previous year (3553 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4295 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 934 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Harlan County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (18%). Additionally, Leslie County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (43.3%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,676 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Mercer County, KY see an average of 2,676 patients per year. This represents a 24.7% decrease from the previous year (3,553 patients).

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

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$8,004

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,551

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,016

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,368

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Kentucky (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 6.11%, from $7,543 to $8,004.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

7.64%

Uninsured

46.7%

Employer Coverage

17.2%

Medicaid

14%

Medicare

12.9%

Non-Group

1.55%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Mercer County, KY declined by 16.6% from 9.15% to 7.64%.

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

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Harlan County

    18% prevalence

  2. Letcher County

    17.9% prevalence

  3. Lawrence County

    17.8% prevalence

Harlan County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Kentucky, at 18%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Kentucky by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Mercer County, KY is home to a population of 21.4k people, from which 98.3% are citizens. As of 2017, 2.72% of Mercer County, KY residents were born outside of the country (582 people).

In 2017, there were 22.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (19.5k people) in Mercer County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 870 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 287 Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Age

Age by Nativity

43

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.8

45

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 6.2

In 2017, the median age of all people in Mercer County, KY was 42.8. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 43, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 45. But people in Mercer County, KY are getting getting younger. In 2016, the average age of all Mercer County, KY residents was 43.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

2.72%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

582 people

2.13%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

457 people

As of 2017, 2.72% of Mercer County, KY residents (582 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Mercer County, KY was 2.13%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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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

    32,622 ± 4,418 people

  2. India

    10,932 ± 2,564 people

  3. Cuba

    8,780 ± 2,298 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 32,622 Kentucky residents, followed by India with 10,932 and Cuba with 8,780.

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Citizenship

98.3%

2017 Citizenship

98.8%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 98.3% of Mercer County, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Mercer County, KY was 98.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Mercer County, KY

  1. White (Non-Hispanic)

    19.5k ± 21

  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)

    870 ± 107

  3. Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic)

    287 ± 99.7

In 2017, there were 22.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (19.5k people) in Mercer County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 870 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 287 Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 7 races represented in Mercer County, KY as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    589 ± 129

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    178 ± 87

  3. Korea

    107 ± 46

Mercer County, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.31 times greater than any other conflict.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Mercer County, KY was $139,900 in 2017, which is 0.609 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $134,000 to $139,900, a 4.4% increase. The homeownership rate in Mercer County, KY is 71.8%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Mercer County, KY have an average commute time of 25.2 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Mercer County, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$139,900

2017 Median

± $7,203

$134,000

2016 Median

± $5,966

In 2017, the median property value in Mercer County, KY grew to to $139,900 from the previous year's value of $134,000.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Mercer County, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Mercer County, KY the largest share of households have a property value in the $150k - $175k range.

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$47,574

Median Household Income

± $2,789

8.65k

Number of Households

± 527

In 2017, the median household income of the 8.65k households in Mercer County, KY grew to $47,574 from the previous year's value of $46,130.

The following chart displays the households in Mercer 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 $75k - $100k range.

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Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Mercer County, KY distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Mercer County, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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Rent vs Own

71.8%

2017 Homeownership

70.6%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 71.8% of the housing units in Mercer County, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 70.6%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Mercer County, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

25.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Mercer County, KY have a longer commute time (25.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 2.13% of the workforce in Mercer County, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    83.8%

  2. Carpooled

    9.47%

  3. Worked At Home

    4.81%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Mercer County, KY was Drove Alone (83.8%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.47%) and those who Worked At Home (4.81%).

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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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Mercer County, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Mercer County, KY have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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