Paducah, KY-IL Metro Area

Paducah, KY-IL · Metro Area

102,748Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 5 counties (1 central, 4 outlying), part of the Paducah-Mayfield, KY-IL combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $64,160
Median home value: $168,700
Land area: 1,235 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
McCracken County, KY	Central	67,564	$64,373	$188,100
Massac County, IL	Outlying	13,865	$65,116	$121,900
Livingston County, KY	Outlying	8,903	$58,984	$125,600
Ballard County, KY	Outlying	7,654	$66,164	$145,800
Carlisle County, KY	Outlying	4,762	$62,439	$120,400

Largest cities and towns

24 places in our city pages lie in this area.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Paducah, KY	City	26,845	$49,915
Metropolis, IL	City	5,864	$50,399
Reidland, KY	CDP	5,277	$99,423
Massac, KY	CDP	4,698	$92,560
Hendron, KY	CDP	4,495	$71,610
Farley, KY	CDP	4,458	$47,292
Ledbetter, KY	CDP	1,785	$59,899
Wickliffe, KY	City	797	$34,509
Salem, KY	City	780	$61,667
Bardwell, KY	City	737	$47,784
Brookport, IL	City	733	$38,000
La Center, KY	City	694	$56,776
Kevil, KY	City	624	$42,500
Barlow, KY	City	564	$27,054
Grand Rivers, KY	City	436	$70,000
Bandana, KY	CDP	311	$96,691
Cunningham, KY	CDP	265	$29,500
Joppa, IL	Village	259	$41,563
Smithland, KY	City	203	$36,563
Arlington, KY	City	185	$37,639
Lovelaceville, KY	CDP	151	—
Burna, KY	CDP	123	—
Blandville, KY	City	107	$47,500
Carrsville, KY	City	39	$50,833

Also in the Paducah-Mayfield, KY-IL combined area

Mayfield, KY · micro · 36,630

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Unemployment

3.3%

College Educated

24.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$64,160

Mean Household Income

$88,236

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.0%

Female

51.0%

Population Split

Male49.0%

Female51.0%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English18.7%

German11.6%

Irish8.7%

Scottish1.8%

Italian1.6%

French1.6%

Mexican1.6%

African1.2%

Polish0.9%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

1.7%Foreign Born

98.3%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized55.0%

Non-Citizen45.0%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later39.2%

Before 201060.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

49,751

Median Rent

$874/mo

Median Home Value

$168,700

Median Year Built

1978

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

22,058

College Enrollment

16.5%

High School

21.2%

College Educated

24.7%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

20.0 min

Drive Alone Rate

82.5%

Public Transit

0.7%

Work From Home

7.0%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

21.7%

18-34 Years

18.8%

35-64 Years

38.6%

65+ Years

20.9%

Population Composition

Under 1821.7%

18-3418.8%

35-6438.6%

65+20.9%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

48.1%

Single Parent

5.8%

Living Alone

31.4%

Avg Size

2.42

Household Types

Married Couples48.1%

Single Parent5.8%

Living Alone31.4%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$37,011

SNAP Usage

11.4%

Health Insurance

94.0%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k19.2%

$25k - $50k21.2%

$50k - $100k29.0%

$100k+30.7%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

10.4%

Retail Trade

13.0%

Education & Health Care

24.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

17.6%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.0%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

86.9%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

93.2%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

86.1

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

205.5

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

How can this information help me in marketing?

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Largest cities and towns

Also in the Paducah-Mayfield, KY-IL combined area

Demographic Rates

Race & Ethnicity

Income Profile

Income Distribution

Sex Distribution

Population Split

Ancestry

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

Citizenship Status

Period of Entry

Housing Characteristics

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Education Enrollment

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Transportation & Commute

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Age Distribution

Population Composition

Household Composition

Household Types

Economic Profile

Household Income Breakdown

Key Industries

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

Health Insurance Coverage

Technology Access

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Housing Affordability