Clarkson, KY

Kentucky

Clarkson is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 1,133. Residents earn $28,393 per year, which is 62% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,133 Population 1,069/sq mi density
$28,393 Median Income $21,020 per capita
$121,900 Home Value $175,064 Zillow
$575 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$28,393 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$121,900 home value, $575/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $28,393
62% lower than US avg
Home Value $121,900
57% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.3%
64% lower than US avg
Median Rent $575
51% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 44.8%
261% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,133
Median Age31.0 yrs
Density1,069/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

C
Median Income$28,393
Per Capita$21,020
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty44.8%
County GDP$997M
Commute23 min

Housing

A
Home Value$121,900
Rent$575
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$175,064

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property1,339/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary781/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain52.7 in/yr
Elevation683 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.3%
High School+77.2%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 18%
Commute23 min
Libraries2

Is Clarkson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clarkson receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Clarkson has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clarkson is $28,393, 62% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. The poverty rate of 44.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clarkson is $121,900, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $575 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Clarkson 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 1,339 per 100,000, 32% below the national average.

Education

12.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Clarkson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Clarkson has a population of 1,133 with a density of 1,069 people per square mile. The median age is 31.0 years, 20% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.1%).

Population

1,133
Total Population
1,069
People / sq mi
31.0yrs
Median Age
20% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.6%
Female 55.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Clarkson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.5%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Clarkson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clarkson is $28,393, which is 62% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 44.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Clarkson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$28,393
62% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,020
Avg Weekly Wage$847
IRS Avg AGI$53,508

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate44.8%
261% above US avg
Establishments (County)687
County GDP$997M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare64
Retail95
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,458
30% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.02%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.0 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Clarkson is $121,900, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $575 (51% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $175,064.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$121,900
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$175,064

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$575
51% 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-Occupied36.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,458
30% below US avg
Effective Rate2.02%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.0%
Premature Death13,589/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access27.6%
Healthcare Facilities64
Clarkson has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,339 per 100,000 (32% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Clarkson 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 Property1,339.3/100K
32% below US avg
Burglary781.3/100K
Theft558.0/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Clarkson has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average54.8°F
1% above US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.7 inches
39% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation683 ft (208 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density1,069/sq mi
Coordinates37.4929°N, 86.2270°W
County FIPS21085
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 12.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 61.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 80.3%
D 18.5%

Winner: Republican by 61.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.3%
64% below US avg
High School+77.2%
School Test Score5.50
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,069/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities64
Restaurants36
Retail Stores95

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.0 min
Work from Home3.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Clarkson with another city: