Ashland, KY

Full City Profile · Kentucky · Boyd County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
21,405 Population 1,993/sq mi density
$52,199 Median Income $30,936 per capita
$125,300 Home Value $128,835 Zillow
$859 Median Rent 28.9% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature
205 Violent Crime/100K 2,537 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$52,199 median income, 8.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$125,300 home value, $859/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
205 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.6% bachelor's degree or higher

Ashland, KY

At a Glance

Median Income
$52,199
31% below
$30,936 per capita
Home Value
$125,300
56% below
Zillow: $128,835
Median Rent
$859/mo
26% below
28.9% of income on rent
Violent Crime
205/100K
46% below
2,537/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
24.6%
27% below
91.0% high school+
Unemployment
8.4%
133% above
14.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
31.0%
3% below
Avg Temperature
54°F

How Ashland Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Ashland's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
69%
Home Value
44%
Rent
74%
Poverty
119%
Bachelor's
73%
Unemployment
233%
Crime
54%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Ashland a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Ashland residents earn a median household income of $52,199 , which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $30,936. The unemployment rate stands at 8.4% (133% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,796 business establishments, including 131 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Ashland is $125,300 , 56% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $128,835. Median rent is $859/month, with 28.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 90.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1964.

Safety & Crime

Ashland reports 205 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 46% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 2,537/100K.

Education

24.6% of adults in Ashland hold a bachelor's degree or higher (27% below the national average). 91.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.5/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Ashland has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Data Overview

People

Population21,405
Median Age41.1 yrs
Density1,993/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Foreign Born1.6%
Veterans8.0%

Economy

C+
Median Income$52,199
Per Capita$30,936
Unemployment8.4%
Poverty14.7%
County GDP$3,758M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,139

Housing

A+
Home Value$125,300
Rent$859
Ownership59.9%
Zillow$128,835
Housing Units10,643
Rent Burden28.9%

Crime

F
Violent205/100K
Property2,537/100K

Health

Obesity31.0%
Premature Death13,628/100K

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
Rain46.7 in/yr
AQI42 (Good)
Elevation668 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.6%
High School+91.0%
Graduate+13.3%
School Score5.5/10

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute21 min
Broadband86.7%
Internet Speed151 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries3

Did You Know?

Ashland was founded in 1786.
The median home in Ashland was built in 1964.
The nearest airport is Greater Portsmouth Regional (28 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.463 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
24.0% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 151 Mbps.
There are 131 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.