Paducah, KY

Census Place

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2024 Population

26,845

US Senator

Mitch McConnell

Republican Party

US Senator

Rand Paul

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

41.5

3.94% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

22.3%

3.73% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$49,915

2.59% 1-year decline

2024 Median Property Value

$165,300

0.425% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

12,696

0.525% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Paducah, 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.

98.6% of the residents in Paducah, KY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Paducah, KY are West Kentucky Community and Technical College (2,489 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in Paducah, KY was $165,300, and the homeownership rate was 55%.

Most people in Paducah, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Paducah, KY was 2 cars per household.

United States Kentucky McCracken County, KY Paducah, KY-IL Purchase Area Development District PUMA, KY

Population & Diversity

Paducah, KY is home to a population of 26.8k people, from which 98.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.74% of Paducah, KY residents were born outside of the country (735 people).

In 2024, there were 3.63 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (18.7k people) in Paducah, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.16k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.35k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.6%

2024 Citizenship

98.6%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.6% of Paducah, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Paducah, KY was 98.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Paducah, KY

White (Non-Hispanic)
18.7k ± 519
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
5.16k ± 548
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
1.35k ± 391

3.05%

Hispanic Population

820 people

3.05% of the people in Paducah, KY are hispanic (820 people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
34,417 ± 4,537 people
Cuba
21,613 ± 3,601 people
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.

Foreign-Born Population

2.74%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

735 people

2.7%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

727 people

As of 2024, 2.74% of Paducah, KY residents (735 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 Paducah, KY was 2.7%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
577 ± 207
Gulf War (2001-)
271 ± 123
Gulf War (1990s)
92 ± 60

Paducah, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.13 times greater than any other conflict.

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

Health

94% of the population of Paducah, KY has health coverage, with 37.1% on employee plans, 32% on Medicaid, 13.4% on Medicare, 9.92% on non-group plans, and 1.55% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Kentucky see 1,601 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,601 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1502 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 320 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.8% were men and 53.2% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.6% under 18 years, 21.3% between 18 and 34 years, 40.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 17% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.8% were men and 53.2% were women.

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

Uninsured People

6.03%

Uninsured

37.1%

Employer Coverage

32%

Medicaid

13.4%

Medicare

9.92%

Non-Group

1.55%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Paducah, KY grew by 5.42% from 5.72% to 6.03%.

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

Economy

The economy of Paducah, KY employs 12.7k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Paducah, KY were Health Care & Social Assistance (2,343 people), Retail Trade (1,920 people), and Educational Services (1,399 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($160,119), Finance & Insurance ($100,515), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($90,563).

Employment

Occupations

12.7k

2024 Value

± 982

−0.525%

1 Year decline

± 10.8%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Paducah, KY declined at a rate of −0.525%, from 12.8k employees to 12.7k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Paducah, KY, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,292 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,236 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1,054 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Paducah, KY.

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

12.7k

2024 Value

± 982

−0.525%

1 Year decline

± 10.8%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Paducah, KY declined at a rate of −0.525%, from 12.8k employees to 12.7k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Paducah, KY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,343 people), Retail Trade (1,920 people), and Educational Services (1,399 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Paducah, KY, though some of these residents may live in Paducah, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$46,632

Median earning men ± $6,651

$30,102

Median earning women ± $3,251

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($91,875), Public Administration ($85,846), and Construction ($61,473).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($84,375), Construction ($69,188), and Public Administration ($54,078).

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.

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Paducah, KY. Showing the available data for Kentucky.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (64.5%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (33.9%)
Democratic Party
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.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Kentucky

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Mitch McConnell

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 1985

Rand Paul

Senator from Kentucky

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.

Education

In 2024, universities in Paducah, KY awarded 2,489 degrees. The student population of Paducah, KY in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 2,281 male students and 2,993 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Paducah, KY are White (1,935 and 77.7%), Black or African American (237 and 9.52%), Hispanic or Latino (187 and 7.51%), and Two or More Races (90 and 3.62%).

The largest universities in Paducah, KY by number of degrees awarded are West Kentucky Community and Technical College (2,489 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Paducah, KY are Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (323 and 13%), Welding Technology (262 and 10.5%), and General Business Administration & Management (253 and 10.2%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 5,274 students enrolled in Paducah, KY, 43.2% men and 56.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,874 records, of which 58.8% were women and 41.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
206 degrees awarded
Welding Technology
100 degrees awarded
Electrician
96 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years recipients in Paducah, KY was General Business Administration & Management with 206 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years from schools in Paducah, KY according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

2,489 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was West Kentucky Community and Technical College with 2,489 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 1,226 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Paducah, KY, which is 0.971 times less than the 1,263 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,935 degrees mean that there were 8.16 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 237 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($4,536) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($192) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($1,228) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Paducah, KY was $165,300 in 2024, which is 0.497 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $164,600 to $165,300, a 0.425% increase. The homeownership rate in Paducah, KY is 55%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Paducah, KY have an average commute time of 15.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Paducah, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$165,300

Median Property Value 2024

±$9,690

$6,462

Median Property Taxes

±$628

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 Paducah, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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

Rent vs Own

55%

Homeownership

2024

65.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 55% of the housing units in Paducah, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 54.1%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$49,915

Median Household Income

± $5,828

11.7k

Number of Households

± 877

In 2024, the median household income of the 11.7k households in Paducah, KY declined from $49,915 from the previous year's value of $51,243.

The following chart displays the households in Paducah, 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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Paducah, 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (77.4%)
Carpooled (7.28%)
Worked At Home (7.03%)

In 2024, 77.4% of workers in Paducah, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.28%) and those who worked at home (7.03%).

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.

Commute Time

15.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Paducah, KY have a shorter commute time (15.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.55% of the workforce in Paducah, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

22.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Paducah, KY (5.78k out of 25.9k 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 Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Paducah, KY is White, followed by Black 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.