Pike County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Pike County, Kentucky, had a population of approximately 58,669. The racial composition was 97.9% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 0.6% of the population. The median household income was around $33,593, with about 26.5% living below the poverty line. The population density was around 58.8 people per square mile.

As of recent data, Pike County, KY, has a median home value of approximately $75,000. Housing units total around 29,000, with a homeowner vacancy rate of 2.3%. The median monthly rent hovers near $650. Roughly 70% of residents own their homes. The region features a mix of single-family homes, mobile homes, and multi-family residences. The housing market has seen slight fluctuations in property values and rental prices, in line with broader economic trends.

Pike County, KY, hosts elections for various positions, such as County Judge-Executive, Sheriff, Clerk, Magistrates, and state and federal representatives. Key races in the 2022 election included:

• County Judge-Executive: Ray Jones (Democrat) running for re-election.
• Sheriff: Incumbent Rodney Scott (Republican) facing challengers.
• County Clerk: Incumbent Rhonda Taylor (Democrat).
• Magistrates: Multiple districts, each electing a representative.

Voter turnout in Pike County has varied, with the 2020 general election seeing around 60% participation, while local elections typically witness lower engagement.

For state and federal positions:

• U.S. Senate: Republican Rand Paul vs. Democrat Charles Booker.
• U.S. House (KY-5): Incumbent Hal Rogers (Republican).

Numerical vote counts and additional candidate details vary; refer to local election boards or news sources for the latest specifics.

As of the most recent data, Pike County, KY, shows the following educational attainment among residents aged 25 and older:

• High school graduate or higher: Approximately 74.8%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: About 11.3%

Compared to national averages:

• High school graduate or higher: Around 88.5%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: About 33.1%

In comparison to the state averages for Kentucky:

• High school graduate or higher: Approximately 85.4%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: About 24.2%

Pike County's education levels are below both the national and Kentucky state averages, indicating significant room for improvement, particularly in higher education attainment.

As of the most recent data, Pike County, KY has an employment rate hovering around 52.4%. The labor force participation is 40.2%, lower than the national average of 63%. Key employment sectors are:

1. Health Care and Social Assistance
2. Retail Trade
3. Educational Services
4. Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
5. Accommodation and Food Services

Mining has historically been significant, reflecting the county’s rich coal resources. However, employment in this sector has declined due to industry shifts.

In comparison, Kentucky's employment rate is around 59.3%, with health care, manufacturing, and retail trade as top industries. Nationally, employment averages 61%, with leading sectors in technology, health care, and professional services. Pike County's reliance on traditional industries like mining contrasts with broader state and national trends towards more diverse service and tech-driven economies.

Data fluctuations and new developments can alter these figures, so current local resources should be consulted for the latest information.

Pike County, KY, has a median household income of approximately $34,800. This is significantly lower than both the national median household income, which stands at around $68,700, and the Kentucky state median household income, which is about $52,500. The lower income in Pike County reflects economic challenges and a reliance on industries such as coal mining, which have seen declines.

Overall, Pike County's income levels are noticeably below both the state and national averages, indicating potential areas for economic intervention and development.

As of the latest data, Pike County, KY, experiences relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. The total crime rate in Pike County stands at approximately 1,645 incidents per 100,000 people, which is below the U.S. average of 2,580 per 100,000. Below is a table breaking down the types of crimes and their rates per 100,000 residents:

These rates highlight that property crimes are more prevalent than violent crimes in Pike County.