Paintsville, KY

Kentucky

Paintsville is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 4,256. Residents earn $26,713 per year, which is 64% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,256 Population 642/sq mi density
$26,713 Median Income $21,439 per capita
$110,800 Home Value $133,522 Zillow
$631 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
93 Violent Crime/100K 1,677 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$26,713 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$110,800 home value, $631/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
93 violent crimes/100K (75% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $26,713
64% lower than US avg
Home Value $110,800
61% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 93/100K
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.2%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $631
46% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 34.1%
175% higher than US avg

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

People

Population4,256
Median Age41.9 yrs
Density642/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

C
Median Income$26,713
Per Capita$21,439
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty34.1%
County GDP$619M
Commute18 min

Housing

A
Home Value$110,800
Rent$631
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$133,522

Crime

F
Violent93/100K
Property1,677/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault47/100K
Burglary163/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain46.2 in/yr
Elevation780 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.2%
High School+82.2%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 85% / D 14%
Commute18 min
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Paintsville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Paintsville receives an overall livability score of 2.5 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. Paintsville has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Paintsville is $26,713, 64% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. The poverty rate of 34.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Paintsville is $110,800, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $631 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Paintsville is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 93 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,677 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Paintsville experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Paintsville has a population of 4,256 with a density of 642 people per square mile. The median age is 41.9 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.5%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

4,256
Total Population
642
People / sq mi
41.9yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.2%
Female 57.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Paintsville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.3%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.7%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Paintsville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Paintsville is $26,713, which is 64% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 34.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Paintsville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$26,713
64% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,439
Avg Weekly Wage$825
IRS Avg AGI$55,978

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate34.1%
175% above US avg
Establishments (County)640
County GDP$619M

Business (County)

Restaurants34
Healthcare47
Retail84
Manufacturing6

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,914
17% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.8 min
Work from Home15.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Paintsville is $110,800, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $631 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $133,522.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$110,800
61% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$133,522

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$631
46% 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)$2,914
17% below US avg
Effective Rate2.63%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.5%
Premature Death16,084/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access60.1%
Healthcare Facilities47
Paintsville has a violent crime rate of 93 per 100,000 residents, 75% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,677 per 100,000 (14% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent93.2/100K
75% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery46.6/100K
Assault46.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,676.8/100K
14% below US avg
Burglary163.0/100K
Theft1,443.9/100K
Vehicle Theft69.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Paintsville has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average55.3°F
2% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.2 inches
22% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation780 ft (238 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.2 km²)
Population Density642/sq mi
Coordinates37.8203°N, 82.8060°W
County FIPS21115
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 70.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.7%
D 14%

Winner: Republican by 70.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.2%
49% below US avg
High School+82.2%
School Test Score5.50
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density642/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities47
Restaurants34
Retail Stores84

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.8 min
Work from Home15.4%

Nearby Cities

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