Barbourville, KY

Kentucky

Barbourville is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 3,181. Residents earn $20,971 per year, which is 72% below the national average.

2.3 /5.0
C Fair
3,181 Population 1,196/sq mi density
$20,971 Median Income $19,044 per capita
$190,200 Home Value $148,745 Zillow
$604 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.3 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$20,971 median income, 1.7% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.5 / 5.0
$190,200 home value, $604/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $20,971
72% lower than US avg
Home Value $190,200
33% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.4%
34% lower than US avg
Median Rent $604
48% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 45.6%
268% higher than US avg

How Barbourville Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,181
Median Age34.5 yrs
Density1,196/mi²
Male / Female38% / 63%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

C
Median Income$20,971
Per Capita$19,044
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty45.6%
County GDP$837M
Commute20 min

Housing

D
Home Value$190,200
Rent$604
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$148,745

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property730/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary349/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain53.8 in/yr
Elevation980 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.4%
High School+75.8%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 85% / D 14%
Commute20 min
EV Stations2
Libraries2

Is Barbourville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Barbourville receives an overall livability score of 2.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Barbourville has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Barbourville is $20,971, 72% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. The poverty rate of 45.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Barbourville is $190,200, 33% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $604 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.1x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Barbourville is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 730 per 100,000, 63% below the national average.

Education

22.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 75.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Barbourville enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Barbourville has a population of 3,181 with a density of 1,196 people per square mile. The median age is 34.5 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.6%), with 2.3% Hispanic, 2.9% Black.

Population

3,181
Total Population
1,196
People / sq mi
34.5yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 37.5%
Female 62.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Barbourville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Barbourville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Barbourville is $20,971, which is 72% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 45.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Barbourville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$20,971
72% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,044
Avg Weekly Wage$835
IRS Avg AGI$46,610

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate45.6%
268% above US avg
Establishments (County)622
County GDP$837M

Business (County)

Restaurants39
Healthcare77
Retail118
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,376
32% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.7 min
Work from Home8.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Barbourville is $190,200, 33% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $604 (48% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $148,745.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$190,200
33% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$148,745

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$604
48% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$719
1 Bedroom$794
2 Bedrooms$984
3 Bedrooms$1,277
4 Bedrooms$1,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied44.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,376
32% below US avg
Effective Rate1.25%

Health Metrics: Barbourville vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.7%
Premature Death15,275/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.4/10
Exercise Access33.6%
Healthcare Facilities77
Barbourville has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 730 per 100,000 (63% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Barbourville vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property729.7/100K
63% below US avg
Burglary349.0/100K
Theft285.5/100K
Vehicle Theft95.2/100K
Arson63.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Barbourville has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 53.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average56.0°F
4% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.8 inches
42% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation980 ft (299 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²)
Population Density1,196/sq mi
Coordinates36.8657°N, 83.8832°W
County FIPS21121
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 22.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 71.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 85%
D 13.8%

Winner: Republican by 71.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.4%
34% below US avg
High School+75.8%
School Test Score5.50
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,196/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities77
Restaurants39
Retail Stores118

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.7 min
Work from Home8.5%

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