Van Lear, KY

Kentucky

Van Lear is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 520. Residents earn $32,895 per year, which is 56% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
520 Population 128/sq mi density
$32,895 Median Income $47,864 per capita
$77,500 Home Value $124,503 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$32,895 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$77,500 home value
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $32,895
56% lower than US avg
Home Value $77,500
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.4%
36% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 32.8%
165% higher than US avg

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

People

Population520
Median Age42.5 yrs
Density128/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

C+
Median Income$32,895
Per Capita$47,864
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty32.8%
County GDP$619M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$77,500
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$124,503

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain46.2 in/yr
Elevation766 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.4%
High School+93.6%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 85% / D 14%
Commute21 min
Libraries2

Is Van Lear a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Van Lear receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Van Lear offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Van Lear is $32,895, 56% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 32.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Van Lear is $77,500, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Van Lear 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.

Van Lear has a population of 520 with a density of 128 people per square mile. The median age is 42.5 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.7%), with 2.9% Hispanic, 8.5% Black.

Population

520
Total Population
128
People / sq mi
42.5yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
4.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.7%
Female 48.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Van Lear vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Van Lear vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Van Lear is $32,895, which is 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 32.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Van Lear vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$32,895
56% below US avg
Per Capita Income$47,864
Avg Weekly Wage$825
IRS Avg AGI$55,978

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate32.8%
165% 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 Rate3.76%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.1 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Van Lear is $77,500, 73% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $124,503.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$77,500
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$124,503

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,914
17% below US avg
Effective Rate3.76%

Health Metrics: Van Lear vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.8%
Premature Death16,084/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access60.1%
Healthcare Facilities47

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Van Lear 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

Elevation766 ft (233 m)
Area4.1 sq mi (10.5 km²)
Population Density128/sq mi
Coordinates37.7766°N, 82.7479°W
County FIPS21115
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 21.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% 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+21.4%
36% below US avg
High School+93.6%
School Test Score5.50
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density128/sq mi
Total Area4.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities47
Restaurants34
Retail Stores84

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.1 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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