Princeton, KY

Kentucky

Princeton is a small city in Kentucky with a population of 6,242. Residents earn $51,875 per year, which is 31% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
6,242 Population 694/sq mi density
$51,875 Median Income $28,497 per capita
$89,700 Home Value $145,424 Zillow
$719 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
289 Violent Crime/100K 2,567 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$51,875 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$89,700 home value, $719/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
289 violent crimes/100K (24% below avg)
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $51,875
31% lower than US avg
Home Value $89,700
68% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 289/100K
24% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.3%
43% lower than US avg
Median Rent $719
38% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.9%
4% lower than US avg

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

People

Population6,242
Median Age41.2 yrs
Density694/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

B+
Median Income$51,875
Per Capita$28,497
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty11.9%
County GDP$543M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$89,700
Rent$719
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$145,424

Crime

F
Violent289/100K
Property2,567/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault48/100K
Burglary722/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain50.9 in/yr
Elevation480 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.3%
High School+85.3%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute22 min
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Princeton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Princeton receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Princeton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Princeton is $51,875, 31% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. 11.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Princeton is $89,700, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $719 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Princeton is below the national average at 289 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,567 per 100,000, 31% above the national average.

Education

19.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Princeton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.9 inches, including 8.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Princeton has a population of 6,242 with a density of 694 people per square mile. The median age is 41.2 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.3%), with 9.4% Black.

Population

6,242
Total Population
694
People / sq mi
41.2yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
9.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Princeton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Princeton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Princeton is $51,875, which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Princeton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$51,875
31% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,497
Avg Weekly Wage$842
IRS Avg AGI$53,817

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.9%
4% below US avg
Establishments (County)380
County GDP$543M

Business (County)

Restaurants28
Healthcare25
Retail56
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,653
53% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.9 min
Work from Home10.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Princeton is $89,700, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $719 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $145,424.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$89,700
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$145,424

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$719
38% 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-Occupied56.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,653
53% below US avg
Effective Rate1.84%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.0%
Premature Death12,822/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access57.0%
Healthcare Facilities25
Princeton has a violent crime rate of 289 per 100,000 residents, 24% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,567 per 100,000 (31% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent288.8/100K
24% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape96.3/100K
Robbery144.4/100K
Assault48.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,567.4/100K
31% above US avg
Burglary722.1/100K
Theft1,620.7/100K
Vehicle Theft224.7/100K
Arson16.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Princeton has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.6°F
9% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.9 inches
34% above US avg
Snowfall8.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation480 ft (146 m)
Area9.0 sq mi (23.3 km²)
Population Density694/sq mi
Coordinates37.1065°N, 87.8849°W
County FIPS21033
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 19.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (43% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 58.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.5%
D 20.3%

Winner: Republican by 58.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.3%
43% below US avg
High School+85.3%
School Test Score5.50
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density694/sq mi
Total Area9.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants28
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.9 min
Work from Home10.3%

Nearby Cities

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