Vanceburg, KY

Kentucky

Vanceburg is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 1,443. Residents earn $26,369 per year, which is 65% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,443 Population 995/sq mi density
$26,369 Median Income $22,510 per capita
$78,100 Home Value $80,845 Zillow
$465 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$26,369 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$78,100 home value, $465/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $26,369
65% lower than US avg
Home Value $78,100
72% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.3%
75% lower than US avg
Median Rent $465
60% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 27.5%
122% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,443
Median Age49.6 yrs
Density995/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

C
Median Income$26,369
Per Capita$22,510
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty27.5%
County GDP$252M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$78,100
Rent$465
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$80,845

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property411/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary137/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain48.2 in/yr
Elevation495 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.3%
High School+75.7%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 87% / D 12%
Commute24 min
Libraries2

Is Vanceburg a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Vanceburg receives an overall livability score of 2.9 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. Vanceburg has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Vanceburg is $26,369, 65% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 27.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Vanceburg is $78,100, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $465 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Vanceburg 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 411 per 100,000, 79% below the national average.

Education

8.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 75.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Vanceburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.2 inches, including 20.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Vanceburg has a population of 1,443 with a density of 995 people per square mile. The median age is 49.6 years, 28% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.9%).

Population

1,443
Total Population
995
People / sq mi
49.6yrs
Median Age
28% above US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.6%
Female 55.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Vanceburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Vanceburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Vanceburg is $26,369, which is 65% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 27.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Vanceburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$26,369
65% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,510
Avg Weekly Wage$797
IRS Avg AGI$48,076

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate27.5%
122% above US avg
Establishments (County)283
County GDP$252M

Business (County)

Restaurants9
Healthcare13
Retail31
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,850
47% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Work from Home1.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Vanceburg is $78,100, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $465 (60% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $80,845.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$78,100
72% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$80,845

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$465
60% 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-Occupied50.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,850
47% below US avg
Effective Rate2.37%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.6%
Premature Death15,649/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access4.0%
Healthcare Facilities13
Vanceburg has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 411 per 100,000 (79% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Vanceburg 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 Property411.2/100K
79% below US avg
Burglary137.1/100K
Theft274.2/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Vanceburg has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average54.5°F
1% above US avg
January Average33°F (1°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.2 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall20.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation495 ft (151 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density995/sq mi
Coordinates38.5945°N, 83.3236°W
County FIPS21135
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 8.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (75% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 75.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 87.3%
D 11.6%

Winner: Republican by 75.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.3%
75% below US avg
High School+75.7%
School Test Score5.50
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density995/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities13
Restaurants9
Retail Stores31

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Work from Home1.6%

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