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Simpson County, Kentucky

Facts, statistics and data on population, demographics, income, economy, housing and education
County in KY, US
Last updated
Key Indicators
A quick look at key numbers

Population

19,972
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates

Median Age

38.8
years ∙ half population younger than 38.8, half older

Diversity Index

Low High
28.7%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity

Nativity

1.8%
foreign-born population
98.2%Native
1.8% Foreign-born

Geographic Context

Location, size, and surroundings

About

Simpson County is a county in Kentucky, United States.
Location
County in KY, US
Co-ordinates
DEC36.740929° N, 86.581787° W
DMS36° 44′ 27.34″ N, 86° 34′ 54.43″ W

Population Density & area

85.28/sq mi (32.93/km²)
Total Area
236.5 sq mi (612.4 km²)
Land Area
234.2 sq mi (606.5 km²) · 99.03%
Water Area
2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²) · 0.97%

Demographics & Living

Who lives here, how households are formed, and community composition

Population Composition

Key characteristics of the population

Sex Distribution

49.7% male
Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%
males per 100 females
Simpson County 99
Kentucky 98.2
United States 98

Nativity

1.8%
foreign-born population
98.2%Native
1.8% Foreign-born
% Foreign-born
Simpson County 1.8%
Kentucky 4.7%
United States 14.1%
Age Distribution
How the population is spread across age groups

Median Age

38.8
years ∙ half population younger than 38.8, half older
Simpson County
38.8
Kentucky
39.1
United States
38.9

Dependency ratio

Low High
65.4
dependents per 100 working-age adults
Simpson County 65.4
Kentucky 66.4
United States 64.4

AGE DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of age group
Median age
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Age Group
Children (Under 18) 23.4% 22.6% 22%
Working age (18-64) 60.5% 60.1% 60.8%
Senior (65+) 16.1% 17.3% 17.2%
Dependency ratio
Total dependency ratio 65.4 66.4 64.4
Child dependency ratio 38.8 37.6 36.1
Old-age dependency ratio 26.7 28.8 28.3
Racial & Ethnic Composition
Racial and ethnic makeup and how it compares

Race & Ethnicity

White
83.9%
Black
6.9%
Asian
0.2%
Hispanic
3.6%
Other
5.4%
Note: White, Black, and Asian refer to individuals belonging to a single race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may be of any race.

Diversity Index

Low High
28.7%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity
Simpson County 28.7%
Kentucky 32.6%
United States 61.4%
Note: The Diversity Index (DI), based on the Blau Index, measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals differ in race and ethnicity. Values range from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity) and are shown as percentages.

RACIAL & ETHNIC COMPOSITION

Race & Ethnicity
Percentage of Simpson County population
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Hispanic or Latino 3.6% 5% 19.3%
Mexican 2.2% 2.5% 11.3%
Puerto Rican 0.1% 0.5% 1.8%
Cuban 0.3% 0.8% 0.8%
Other Hispanic / Latino 1.1% 1.3% 5.5%
Not Hispanic or Latino 96.4% 95% 80.7%
One race 91.1% 91.1% 76.4%
White 83.9% 81.5% 57.4%
Black or African American 6.9% 7.6% 11.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.1% 0.1% 0.5%
Asian 0.2% 1.6% 5.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0% 0.1% 0.2%
Some Other Race 0% 0.3% 0.6%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 5.3% 3.9% 4.3%
Household & Families Composition
Household size, type, and family structure

Household structure

62.7% family
Family 62.7%
Non family 37.3%
% family households
Simpson County 62.7%
Kentucky 63.9%
United States 64.2%

Average household size

2.44
persons per household
Simpson County
2.44
Kentucky
2.43
United States
2.53

Household & Family COMPOSITION

Households
Percentage of Simpson County population
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Total households 8,025 1,814,469 129,227,496
Average houshold size 2.44 2.43 2.53
Family households 5,032 1,159,005 82,990,528
Average family size 3.04 3.03 3.14
Married couple family 3,844 844,820 60,637,388
Other families 1,188 314,185 22,353,140
Male householder 348 95,673 6,572,819
Female householder 840 218,512 15,780,321
Non-family households 2,993 655,464 46,236,968
One-person households 2,547 540,419 37,140,836
Male householder 1,179 247,145 16,871,444
Senior (65+) living alone 220 79,059 5,225,110
Female householder 1,368 293,274 20,269,392
Senior (65+) living alone 566 151,346 10,089,070
Other living arrangements 446 115,045 9,096,132

Housing Profile

Housing stock, ownership, rentals, and cost burdens

Total housing units

8,627
housing units
Simpson County 8,627
Kentucky 2,023,116
United States 143,775,355

Occupancy status

93% occupied
Occupied 93%
Vacant 7%
vacancy rate
Simpson County 7%
Kentucky 10.3%
United States 10.1%
Housing Characteristics
How the housing supply is structured and used

Types of Housing unit

78.7%
Single family houses
Single family houses
78.7%
Apartments in multi-unit structures
13.3%
Mobile homes
8.1%
Boat, RV, van, etc
0%

Median Year Built

1979
Half of houses were built before 1979, and half after.
Historic ∙ 1939 or earlier
11.8%
Postwar & mid-century ∙ 1940 - 1969
25%
Late 20th century ∙ 1970 - 1999
38%
Modern ∙ 2000 or later
25.1%
Note: Median year built reflects occupied units only; distribution includes all units.

Housing Characteristics

Units, rooms & bedrooms
Physical characteristics of housing units
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Rooms per unit
Median rooms 5.7 5.7 5.5
1–3 rooms 7.6% 10.4% 15.1%
4–6 rooms 57.3% 54.2% 51.6%
7+ rooms 35.1% 35.4% 33.4%
Bedrooms
No bedroom / studio 0.8% 1.7% 2.9%
1 bedroom 4.8% 8.2% 10.9%
2 bedrooms 25.1% 25.1% 25%
3 bedrooms 54% 45.2% 38.7%
4+ bedrooms 15.3% 19.7% 22.4%
At a glance
Median year built 1979 1983 1981
Total housing units 8,627 2,023,116 143,775,355
Occupancy Profile
Who is inside and how they use it

Homeownership

66.7% owners
Renter-occupied 33.3%
Owner-occupied 66.7%
homeownership rate
Simpson County 66.7%
Kentucky 68.3%
United States 65.2%

Average household size

2.62
Owner-occupied
2.07
Renter-occupied
owner-occupied average size
Simpson County 2.62
Kentucky 2.53
United States 2.64

Housing Characteristics

Occupied unit characteristics
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Total occupied units 8,025 1,814,469 129,227,496
Year moved in
2020 or later 23.8% 23.8% 24.8%
2010 to 2019 40.3% 38.4% 39.6%
2000 to 2009 19.2% 16.7% 16.4%
1999 or earlier 16.8% 21.1% 19.1%
Occupants per room
1.00 or fewer 97.4% 98% 96.6%
1.01 to 1.50 2.5% 1.4% 2.2%
1.51 or more 0.2% 0.6% 1.2%
Vehicles availability
No vehicles 3.3% 6.8% 8.4%
1 vehicle 29.8% 32.4% 33.1%
2 vehicles 37.7% 37.1% 36.6%
3 or more vehicles 29.2% 23.7% 21.9%
House heating fuel used
Gas 43.3% 41.5% 51.4%
Electricity 55.4% 54.9% 41.3%
Solar 0% 0.1% 0.3%
Fuel oil, kerosene etc 0% 0.7% 3.9%
All other fuels 1.3% 2.3% 2%
No fuel used 0% 0.4% 1.2%
Selected characteristics
Lacking complete plumbing 0.2% 0.5% 0.4%
Lacking complete kitchen 0.8% 0.8% 0.8%
No telephone service available 1.2% 1.1% 0.9%
Housing Value
What owner-occupied units are worth

Median home value

$229,400
owner-occupied units
Median value(USD)
Simpson County
$229,400
Kentucky
$205,600
United States
$332,700

Housing Cost Burden

20.4%
of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened
% Cost-Burdened Households
Owners with a mortgage
20.4%
Owners without a mortgage
17.8%
Renters
44.5%
Note: Households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.

Financial characteristics

Property value and housing costs
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Property value
Median Value $229,400 $205,600 $332,700
Under $100,000 12.8% 20.9% 11.4%
$100,000 - $200,000 30.1% 27.6% 15.8%
$200,000 - $300,000 25.3% 23.1% 17.8%
$300,000 - $500,000 21.6% 20.1% 26.9%
$500,000 - $1,000,000 9.1% 7.1% 20.9%
$1,000,000 and more 1% 1.2% 7.1%
Owner-occupied households
With a mortgage 60.6% 56.1% 60.6%
Without a mortgage 39.4% 43.9% 39.4%
Median monthly owner costs
With a mortgage $1,299 $1,433 $1,963
Without a mortgage $480 $469 $638
Gross rent
Median rent $1,012 $967 $1,413

Education Profile

How educated is the community and how education pays off

Adults with a college degree

18.8%
of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
Simpson County 18.8%
Kentucky 27.6%
United States 35.7%

Adults without a high school diploma

9%
of adults (25+) without a high school diploma
Simpson County 9%
Kentucky 11.1%
United States 10.4%
School Enrollment
Who is enrolled in school and at what level

School enrollment

4,079
population (age 3+) enrolled in school
Nursery / Preschool
5.4%
K–12
77.9%
College / Undergraduate
11.7%
Graduate / Professional
5%

College-going rate (18-24 yr olds)

16.4%
of 18-24-year-olds in college or graduate school
Simpson County
16.4%
Kentucky
36%
United States
40.9%

Enrollment & school type

Enrollment levels, college-going rate, and public vs private school split
Population 3+ currently enrolled in a school
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Total enrolled (age 3+) 4,079 1,039,376 80,089,790
Nursery / preschool 5.4% 5.5% 5.7%
K–12 77.9% 70.6% 67.6%
Kindergarten 8.5% 5.2% 5%
Elementary: Grades 1–4 22.9% 21.4% 19.8%
Elementary: Grades 5–8 22.8% 21.9% 21%
High School: Grades 9–12 23.7% 22.2% 21.7%
College or graduate school 16.7% 23.8% 26.7%
College, undergraduate 11.7% 18.9% 21%
Graduate, professional school 5% 5% 5.8%
College-going rate · 18-24 yr olds 16.4% 36% 40.9%
School type
Public school 89.5% 81.9% 82%
Private school 10.5% 18.1% 18%
Education Attainment by Level & Gender
What is the highest level of education completed among adults

Education attainment

13,641
population 25 years and over
Total adults (25+)
Less than 9th grade
2.1%
9th-12th, no diploma
6.9%
HS graduate
41.3%
Some college no degree
19%
Associates degree
11.8%
Bachelors degree
10.7%
Graduate or professional degree
8.1%

Attainment by gender

Male vs Female
Adults (25+) · Share within each education level
% male · % female
Less than 9th grade
65.9% · 34.1%
9th-12th, no diploma
53.1% · 46.9%
HS graduate
52.5% · 47.5%
Some college no degree
56% · 44%
Associates degree
35.6% · 64.4%
Bachelors degree
43.1% · 56.9%
Graduate or professional degree
30.9% · 69.1%

Educational Attainment Overview

Distribution and key education attainment rates for adults (25+)
Highest credential completed · adults 25+
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Population (25+) 13,641 3,098,758 230,807,303
Less than 9th grade 2.1% 4.3% 4.7%
9th–12th, no diploma 6.9% 6.8% 5.7%
High school diploma or GED 41.3% 32.6% 26%
Some college, no degree 19% 19.7% 19.1%
Associate's degree 11.8% 9% 8.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher 18.8% 27.6% 35.7%
Bachelor's degree 10.7% 16.2% 21.6%
Graduate or professional 8.1% 11.3% 14.1%
High School or higher 90.9% 88.9% 89.6%
Earnings by education level
percentage as applicable

Median Earnings

$43,619
Median earnings for adults 25+, by level
Less than HS graduate
$20,417
HS graduate
$38,262
Some college or associates
$46,066
Bachelors degree
$47,472
Graduate or professional degree
$57,337

Poverty Rate

5.3%
for ages 25+, with bachelors degree or higher
Less than HS graduate
34.2%
HS graduate
15.6%
Some college or associates
12.8%
Bachelors degree or higher
5.3%

Outcomes by Education Level

Earnings and poverty rates across education levels (25+)
Adults 25+
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Median earnings
Population 25+, with earnings $43,619 $46,524 $52,696
Less than high school graduate $20,417 $29,659 $32,485
High school graduate (includes equivalency) $38,262 $37,177 $40,153
Some college or associate's degree $46,066 $43,534 $47,260
Bachelor's degree $47,472 $60,526 $70,044
Graduate or professional degree $57,337 $70,952 $90,720
Poverty rates
Less than high school graduate 34.2% 33.5% 24.2%
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 15.6% 17% 14.4%
Some college or associate's degree 12.8% 11.7% 9.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher 5.3% 4.7% 4.5%

Economy & Employment

Jobs, industries, and workforce at a glance

Labor Force

Who is working, looking for work, and participating in the economy

Adult Population (16+)

15,799
residents 16 years and over
Simpson County 15,799
Kentucky 3,628,656
United States 270,181,636

Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP)

Low High
58.5%
of residents age 16+ are employed
Simpson County 58.5%
Kentucky 56.4%
United States 59.7%
Note: The Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is currently employed. Higher values indicate a larger proportion of residents holding jobs.
Labor Force Composition
Age and demographic makeup of the labor force

Median Age of Workers (16–64)

39.9
years ∙ half are younger than 39.9, half older
Simpson County
39.9
Kentucky
39.2
United States
39.6
Note: Median worker age is based on adults age 16–64 who worked in the past 12 months.

Male-Female Labor Force Split

53.2% male
Male 53.2%
Female 46.8%
Female Share of Labor Force (%)
Simpson County 46.8
Kentucky 47.4
United States 47.2

Labor force composition

Age and Gender Composition of the Labor Force (16+) in Simpson County
How the labor force age 16 and over is distributed across age groups and gender.
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Total labor force 9,588 2,166,165 171,493,276
Age distribution
16 to 19 years 3.8% 4.7% 4%
20 to 24 years 8.8% 10.6% 9.6%
25 to 29 years 12.3% 11.2% 11%
30 to 34 years 11.5% 11.1% 11.5%
35 to 44 years 19% 21.1% 21.6%
45 to 54 years 18.1% 19.7% 19.5%
55 to 59 years 9% 8.7% 9%
60 to 64 years 9.8% 6.9% 7.4%
65 to 74 years 4.9% 5.1% 5.4%
75 years and over 2.8% 1% 1%
Gender composition
Male 53.2% 52.6% 52.8%
Female 46.8% 47.4% 47.2%
Labor Force Participation
How much of the working-age population is active in the labor force?

Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR)

60.7%
of adults age 16+ are in the labor force
Simpson County
60.7%
Kentucky
59.7%
United States
63.5%
Note: The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.

Participation Gap · Male vs Female

65.4%
of males age 16+ are in the labor force
56.1%
of females age 16+ are in the labor force
Female LFPR (%)
Simpson County 56.1%
Kentucky 55.6%
United States 58.9%
Note: LFPR measures the share of the male or female population age 16+ that is working or looking for work.

AGE & GENDER LFPR

Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in Simpson County
Share of residents age 16+ working or seeking work, by age group, gender and race
Simpson County Kentucky United States
LFPR by age group
16 to 19 years 37.9% 43.9% 39.4%
20 to 24 years 70.5% 76.7% 75.4%
25 to 29 years 88.2% 82.2% 84.1%
30 to 34 years 78.9% 80.3% 84%
35 to 44 years 73.6% 79.9% 83.6%
45 to 54 years 72% 76.5% 82.1%
55 to 59 years 65.4% 65.1% 74.1%
60 to 64 years 63.3% 49.9% 59.2%
65 to 74 years 25.1% 23% 27.1%
75 years and over 19.8% 6.8% 7.3%
LFPR by gender
Male 65.4% 64% 68.2%
Female 56.1% 55.6% 58.9%
LFPR by race, ethnicity
White 61.9% 58.7% 62%
Black or African American 41.2% 63.1% 63.5%
American Indian and Alaska Native 18.2% 59.3% 62.3%
Asian 100% 69.6% 66.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% 72.8% 65.3%
Some Other Race 72.6% 72.1% 67.7%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 62.7% 65.2% 67.8%
Hispanic or Latino 81.1% 71.4% 68.3%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2. The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.
Labor Force Status
Employment, unemployment, and labor force conditions

Unemployment Rate

3.6%
of the civilian labor force age 16+ is unemployed
Simpson County
3.6%
Kentucky
4.9%
United States
5.2%
Note: Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.

UNEMPLOYMENT GAP · MALE VS FEMALE

4.4%
of males age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
2.7%
of females age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
male unemployment rate
Simpson County 4.4%
Kentucky 5%
United States 5.3%
Note: Male and female unemployment rates measure the share of each group's civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed and seeking work.

CIVILIAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

Unemployment Rate in Simpson County
Share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed, by age group, gender and race
Simpson County Kentucky United States
By age group
16 to 19 years 32.1% 13.8% 14.3%
20 to 24 years 8.1% 8.7% 9.1%
25 to 29 years 2.1% 5.1% 6%
30 to 34 years 0.9% 4.6% 5%
35 to 44 years 3.3% 4.2% 4.3%
45 to 54 years 0% 3.5% 3.9%
55 to 59 years 4.7% 3% 3.8%
60 to 64 years 0.6% 3.1% 3.7%
65 to 74 years 0% 3% 3.9%
75 years and over 5.3% 3.6% 3.9%
By gender
Male 4.4% 5% 5.3%
Female 2.7% 4.7% 5.2%
By race, ethnicity
White 2.7% 4.4% 4.3%
Black or African American 1.4% 8.5% 8.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0% 2.6% 7.8%
Asian 0% 3.7% 4.4%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% 6.6% 7.2%
Some Other Race 0% 5.2% 6.3%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 14.3% 6.7% 6.3%
Hispanic or Latino 17.2% 5.5% 6.2%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2.Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.

Job Market

Where residents work, what types of employers they work for, and how they commute

Total employed population

9,247
employed residents 16 years and over
Employed population
Simpson County 9,247
Kentucky 2,047,296
United States 161,297,155
Note: Total employed population refers to the civilian employed population age 16 and over, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Full-time employment rate

72%
of employed residents 16 and older
Full-time employment (%)
Simpson County 72%
Kentucky 72%
United States 72%
Note: Total full-time employed population refers to civilians age 16 and over working full time throughout the year, excluding part-time workers.
Industries
The industries that employ Simpson County, Kentucky workforce and shape the local economy

Top Industry

About 2 in 9 workers
are employed in Manufacturing
Top 3 Industries % of total workers
Manufacturing 21.7%
Retail trade 14.4%
Educational services 9.2%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Top industry by gender

Male
Manufacturing employs the most men — 29.9% of 4,876 employed male workers
Female
Health care and social assistance employs the most women — 16.4% of 4,371 employed female workers
Note: Percentages reflect the share of employed males or females age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Industries Distribution Table

Employment Distribution by Industries in Simpson County
Share of employed residents 16 and older · by industry
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Total employed population 9,247 2,047,296 161,297,155
Agriculture and mining
Agriculture 0.9% 1.3% 1.2%
Mining and logging 0.1% 0.5% 0.4%
Construction 7.8% 6.3% 6.9%
Manufacturing 21.7% 14.3% 9.9%
Wholesale trade 2.9% 2% 2.2%
Retail trade 14.4% 11.5% 10.8%
Transportation and utilities
Transportation and warehousing 7.8% 5.9% 5.1%
Utilities 2.6% 1.1% 0.9%
Information 0.3% 1.3% 1.9%
Financial activities
Finance and Insurance 1.2% 4.3% 4.8%
Real estate and leasing 0.5% 1.3% 1.8%
Professional and business services
Professional and technical services 2% 5.1% 8.3%
Corporate management 0% 0.1% 0.1%
Administrative and waste services 4.2% 3.9% 4.2%
Education and health services
Educational services 9.2% 9.5% 9.4%
Health care and social assistance 8.9% 14.7% 14.1%
Leisure and hospitality
Arts and recreation 3.1% 1.5% 2.1%
Accommodation and food services 3.6% 6.4% 6.6%
Other services 5.6% 4.6% 4.7%
Government 3.3% 4.3% 4.7%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Type of Employer
Whether residents work for private companies, government agencies, or are self-employed

Employment by employer type

73.5% Private
Government 15.4%
Private Employment 73.5%
Self Employed 11.1%
Private employment (%)
Simpson County 73.5%
Kentucky 76.6%
United States 75.3%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed.

Self-employed workers

11.1%
of the workers are self-employed
Category % of total workers
Incorporated business 2%
Unincorporated business 8.9%
Unpaid family workers 0.2%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of self-employed and unpaid family workers within the civilian employed population age 16+, excluding private-sector and government employees. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not add up.

Type of employer

Employment distribution by employer type in Simpson County
Share of employed population 16 and older · by class of worker
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Private wage & salary 73.5% 76.6% 75.3%
For-profit company employees 69% 67.9% 66.5%
Not-for-profit employees 4.5% 8.7% 8.8%
Self-employed 11.1% 8.8% 10.1%
Incorporated business 2% 3.2% 4%
Unincorporated business 8.9% 5.4% 6%
Unpaid family workers 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%
Government 15.4% 14.6% 14.5%
Local government 8.5% 7% 7.6%
State government 3.8% 5.2% 4.2%
Federal government 3.1% 2.4% 2.7%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Commute & Job Access
How residents commute to work and how long their daily travel takes

Work From Home Rate

5.3% WFH
Work from home 5.3%
Commute to work 94.7%
Working from home (%)
Simpson County 5.3%
Kentucky 10.2%
United States 15.1%
Note: Percentages reflect workers age 16+ by work commute type, including those working from home and those commuting to a workplace.

Travel Time to Work

21 minutes
mean one-way travel time for commuters
Mean travel time (minutes)
Simpson County 21
Kentucky 24
United States 26.4
Note: Mean travel time measures the average one-way commute in minutes for employed residents 16+ who commute to work. It excludes those who worked from home.

Commute Patterns

Means of transportation and travel time to work in Simpson County
Employed residents 16+.
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Total employed population 9,247 2,047,296 161,297,155
Worked from home 5.3% 10.2% 15.1%
Drove Alone 79.2% 76.6% 68.8%
Carpooled 13.2% 9.3% 8.5%
Public transportation 0.2% 0.6% 3.2%
Walked 1.6% 2% 2.4%
Bicycle, taxi & other means 0.4% 1.3% 2%
Commuting population 8,567 1,810,946 135,071,605
Mean travel time (minutes) 21 24 26.4
Less than 5 minutes 5.1% 3.5% 3%
5 to 14 minutes 35.3% 26.8% 23%
15 to 29 minutes 35.5% 39.1% 36.6%
30 to 44 minutes 13.8% 18.1% 20.8%
45 to 59 minutes 4.8% 6.4% 8%
60 to 89 minutes 4.4% 3.8% 5.8%
90 minutes or more 1.3% 2.3% 2.7%
Note: Means of transportation distribution shows the share of employed residents 16+ by how they primarily get to work. Travel time distribution and mean travel time are calculated only for commuting residents — those who did not work from home. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.

Wages & Earnings

What employed residents earn — by industry, occupation, and type of employer

Median Earnings

$50,075
median annual earnings · full-time year-round workers
Median annual earnings
Simpson County $50,075
Kentucky $53,461
United States $61,859
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older. Part-time and part-year workers are excluded.

Gender earnings gap

79 ¢
per $1 earned by men
women earning per $1 earned by male
Simpson County 79¢
Kentucky 79¢
United States 82¢
Note: Gender earnings gap measures how much women earn for every $1 earned by men, among full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older.
Top Earnings By industry
How median earnings vary across the industries where Simpson County, Kentucky workers are employed

Highest-paying industry

$106,844
Workers in Utilities report the highest median earnings
Top Industries Median annual earnings
Utilities $106,844
Real estate and leasing $83,438
Professional and technical services $65,117
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, based on the worker's industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.

Highest-paying industry by gender

* The Census Bureau did not report an exact highest paying industry earnings gender-wise for Simpson County the estimate falls at or above $250,000, the upper limit of the survey's reporting range.
Male
Men working in Government earn the highest median earnings — $250,001, compared to $55,855 for all employed men
Female
Women working in Real estate and leasing earn the highest median earnings — $84,219, compared to $44,342 for all employed women
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry and gender.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.

Earnings Distribution Table

Earnings by industry in Simpson County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by industry
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Median Earnings $50,075 $53,461 $61,859
Agriculture and mining
Agriculture $35,583 $44,403 $45,892
Mining and logging $— $72,567 $86,268
Construction $60,156 $54,743 $59,718
Manufacturing $52,014 $58,695 $65,243
Wholesale trade $53,542 $59,968 $64,875
Retail trade $37,284 $40,634 $44,926
Transportation and utilities
Transportation and warehousing $55,879 $56,497 $58,006
Utilities $106,844 $79,336 $91,656
Information $— $56,721 $87,180
Financial activities
Finance and Insurance $48,929 $67,288 $83,271
Real estate and leasing $83,438 $58,325 $65,651
Professional and business services
Professional and technical services $65,117 $77,081 $99,546
Corporate management $— $81,144 $99,442
Administrative and waste services $43,750 $42,294 $47,120
Education and health services
Educational services $48,765 $53,924 $62,720
Health care and social assistance $60,152 $52,604 $58,751
Leisure and hospitality
Arts and recreation $38,403 $43,771 $51,274
Accommodation and food services $25,682 $31,643 $36,287
Other services $23,500 $44,253 $49,232
Government $48,438 $57,199 $75,907
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Top Earnings By Employer Type
How median earnings vary depending on whether residents work for private businesses, government agencies, or are self-employed

Highest-paying employer type

$82,007
Workers in Federal government roles report the highest median earnings
Top employer types Median annual earnings
Federal government $82,007
Own incorporated business $63,661
Own unincorporated business $58,413
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.

Highest-paying employer type by gender

Male
Men in Own incorporated business roles earn the highest median earnings — $113,281, compared to $55,855 for all employed men
Female
Women in Federal government roles earn the highest median earnings — $101,384, compared to $44,342 for all employed women
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by employer type and gender.

Earnings by employer type

Earnings by employer type in Simpson County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by employer type
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Private wage & salary
For-profit company employees $48,704 $52,994 $60,496
Not-for-profit employees $49,602 $56,235 $65,589
Self-employed
Incorporated business $63,661 $61,837 $73,960
Unincorporated business $58,413 $41,578 $47,798
Government
Local government $46,795 $52,505 $63,995
State government $53,734 $53,083 $65,197
Federal government $82,007 $69,872 $83,481
Note: Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.
Top Earnings By Occupations
How median earnings vary across the occupations Simpson County, Kentucky workers hold

Highest-paying occupation

$84,808
Workers in Health technicians occupation report the highest median earnings
Top occupation groups Median annual earnings
Health technicians $84,808
Law enforcement $76,583
Business and finance $75,250
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Highest-paying occupation by gender

Male
Among employed men, workers in Management occupations earn the highest median earnings — $133,172 versus $55,855 overall
Female
Among employed women, workers in Health technicians occupations earn the highest median earnings — $97,793 versus $44,342 overall
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group and gender.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Earnings by occupation

Earnings by occupation in Simpson County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by occupation
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Median earnings(Total) $50,075 $53,461 $61,859
Management and business
Management $68,731 $79,574 $95,511
Business and finance $75,250 $72,549 $85,333
Technology and science
Computer and math $59,554 $86,986 $106,999
Architecture and engineering $49,841 $90,303 $102,526
Sciences $— $67,796 $84,877
Education, legal, and arts
Community and Social Service $60,476 $49,308 $58,943
Legal $— $81,918 $113,997
Education, Training and Library $48,935 $53,927 $61,591
Arts, design and media $66,055 $51,157 $69,945
Healthcare
Doctors, Nurses & Medical Professionals $73,802 $84,296 $95,504
Health technicians $84,808 $48,052 $54,377
Healthcare support $42,545 $34,407 $37,780
Protective Service
Firefighting and emergency services $41,948 $49,465 $54,969
Law enforcement $76,583 $60,813 $78,427
Other services
Food preparation and serving $23,375 $25,254 $31,969
Building and grounds cleaning $50,039 $32,900 $36,545
Personal care and service $34,722 $32,867 $36,137
Sales and office
Sales $52,321 $52,893 $58,713
Office and Administrative Support $48,640 $42,283 $47,965
Trades and natural resources
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry $— $36,991 $37,492
Construction and extraction $71,033 $51,927 $53,180
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair $60,987 $60,267 $60,226
Production and transportation
Production $50,330 $48,902 $48,805
Transportation $41,010 $53,680 $55,051
Material moving $38,479 $38,704 $38,558
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Income & Financial Security

Earnings, income distribution, and economic pressure points

Household Income

What households earn, where income comes from, and how household structure shapes earnings

Median Household Income

$59,858
Median household income in Simpson County
Median household income (USD)
Simpson County
$59,858
Kentucky
$63,726
United States
$80,734
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Simpson County, including family and non-family households.
2. Median household income represents the midpoint of household incomes, with half of households earning more and half earning less.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Per capita income

$31,249
Per capita income in Simpson County
Per capita income (USD)
Simpson County
$31,249
Kentucky
$35,821
United States
$44,673
Note:
1. Based on income across all residents in Simpson County, per capita income represents the average income per person, calculated by dividing total income by the total population, including adults and children.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income level
How household income, per-capita income, and local earnings compare to broader benchmarks

Mean Household Income

$75,938
Average household income in Simpson County
Avg household income (USD)
Simpson County
$75,938
Kentucky
$87,807
United States
$113,530
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Simpson County, including family and non-family households, mean household income is the average of all household incomes and is often higher than the median due to the influence of higher-income households.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Mean vs median household income

$75,938
Mean household income
$59,858
Median household income
Mean-median gap (USD)
Simpson County $16,080
Kentucky $24,081
United States $32,796
Note:
1. A larger mean-median gap indicates greater income inequality, as it generally signals a wider concentration of income at the upper end of the distribution.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Level

Household and per capita income in Simpson County
Household, family, non-family, and per-capita income measures compared across Simpson County and peer geographies.
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Total households 8,025 1,814,469 129,227,496
Median household income $59,858 $63,726 $80,734
Mean household income $75,938 $87,807 $113,530
Mean-median gap $16,080 $24,081 $32,796
Family households 5,032 1,159,005 82,990,528
Median family income $74,423 $81,505 $99,999
Mean family income $93,933 $105,537 $134,109
Mean-median gap $19,510 $24,032 $34,110
Non-family households 2,993 655,464 46,236,968
Median non-family income $29,109 $37,284 $48,618
Mean non-family income $41,166 $52,519 $71,134
Mean-median gap $12,057 $15,235 $22,516
Other Benchmarks
Per capita income $31,249 $35,821 $44,673
Note:
1. Household, family, and non-family income measures are based on their respective household types.
2. Per capita income is based on all residents and represents total income divided by the total population, including adults and children.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income sources
Where household income comes from, including wages, retirement income, and public assistance

Households with earnings

76.7%
of households have wages, salaries, or self-employment income
% households with earnings
Simpson County
76.7%
Kentucky
73%
United States
77.5%
Note: Includes households where at least one member received wages, salaries, or net self-employment income during the year.

Transfer income dependency

Social Security
30.7% of households (2,463) receive Social Security income, with an average annual benefit of $21,795
SSI (disability)
5% of households (401) receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with an average annual benefit of $10,815
Cash Assistance
1.7% of households (137) receive cash public assistance income, with an average annual amount of $10,815
SNAP / Food Stamps
11.9% of households (955) receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
Note: Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Sources

Income sources for households in Simpson County
Share of households receiving each income type
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Total households 8,025 1,814,469 129,227,496
Wage-based income
With earnings 77% 73% 78%
Retirement and disability income
Social security 31% 35% 31%
Average social security income $21,795 $22,523 $24,367
Retirement income 23% 26% 24%
Average retirement income $24,991 $28,217 $33,349
SSI (Supplemental security) 5% 7% 5%
Average SSI income $10,815 $11,046 $11,477
Public assistance
SNAP / food stamps 12% 13% 12%
Cash assistance 2% 2% 3%
Note:
1. Percentages reflect the share of households receiving each income type during the year.
2. Categories are not mutually exclusive; households may receive more than one income type.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by household type
How income levels vary across different household and family structures

Median income by household type

$74,423
Family households earn $74,423, compared to $29,109 for those living alone or with non-relatives.
Median household income (USD)
All households
$59,858
Family households
$74,423
Nonfamily households
$29,109
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Median income by family type

$83,591
Married-couple families earn $83,591, compared to $45,530 for single-parent and other family types.
Median household income (USD)
All family households
$74,423
Married-couple families
$83,591
Other family types
$45,530
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types include single-parent households and families headed by a householder with no spouse present.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income By Household Type

Median income by household and family size in Simpson County
Median household and family income by household size in Simpson County, compared with peer geographies.
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Total households 8,025 1,814,469 129,227,496
Household income by size
1-person $25,683 $32,758 $41,531
2-person $71,514 $72,865 $89,421
3-person $95,625 $84,993 $105,720
4-person $90,813 $102,470 $122,780
5-person $88,971 $97,727 $115,998
6-person $73,165 $93,016 $114,729
7-person or more $72,083 $91,179 $124,557
Total families 5,032 1,159,005 82,990,528
Family income by size
2-person $71,504 $71,668 $86,867
3-person $73,927 $83,826 $103,132
4-person $112,893 $104,132 $123,422
5-person $64,429 $98,887 $116,064
6-person $73,952 $90,678 $113,447
7-person or more $— $90,105 $119,745
Note:
1. Household and family size includes all people living in the unit.
2. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Distribution

How income is distributed across households and how evenly earnings are shared

Income Concentration

47.08%
of all household income is held by the top 20% of households
Bottom 20%
2.71%
of all household income
Top 20%
47.08%
of all household income
Key insights
  • The top fifth of households earn roughly half of all income in the area. The bottom fifth hold just 2.71% — meaning the top 20% hold 17 times the income share of the bottom 20%.
  • Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

The Top 5%

$279,100
is the average income among the top 5% of households
Bottom 40% combined
12.58%
of all household income
Top 5% alone
18.38%
of all household income
Key insights
  • The top 5% of households earn an average of $279,100 and hold 18.38% of all household income — more than the entire bottom 40% of households combined, who hold just 12.58%
  • Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. The top 5% threshold represents the minimum income needed to rank among the highest-earning 5% of households. Average income figures reflect the mean within each group.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income ranges
The distribution of households across income ranges and how the local profile compares

Income Distribution

Under $50K
38%
$50K - $100K
34.4%
$100K - $150K
17.6%
$150K - $200K
4.5%
Over $200K
5.5%
Note:
1. Income ranges reflect gross household income before taxes. Percentages reflect the share of all households falling within each range.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Households earning $100K or more

27.6%
of all households, 2,214 in total, earn $100,000 or more
% $100k+
Simpson County 27.6%
Kentucky 30.2%
United States 40.5%
Note: Share reflects the percentage of all households with total annual income of $100,000 or more, based on gross household income before taxes.

Household income brackets

Household income brackets in Simpson County
Distribution of households across income ranges, with cumulative shares in Simpson County, compared with peer geographies.
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Median household income $59,858 $63,726 $80,734
Income bracket
Less than $10,000 8.8% 6.1% 5%
$10,000 to $14,999 5.5% 5.2% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 7.3% 8.3% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 6.9% 8.3% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 9.5% 12.1% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 26% 17.1% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 8.4% 12.8% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 17.6% 15.9% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 4.5% 7.1% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 5.5% 7.2% 13.4%
Cumulative Shares
Share below $35,000 28.5% 27.9% 21.3%
Share below $75,000 64% 57.1% 46.9%
Share above $100,000 27.6% 30.2% 40.5%
Note:
1. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income inequality
How evenly income is distributed within the community and how inequality compares with broader geographies

Gini Index of Income Inequality

Low High
0.44
Scale: 0 (Perfect Equality) – 1 (Perfect Inequality)
Gini index
Simpson County 0.44
Kentucky 0.48
United States 0.48
Note: The Gini Index measures the distribution of income across households. Values range from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality), with higher values indicating greater income inequality.

Earnings Gap

$178,746
is the average income of the top 20% of households
Avg income for top 20% ($)
Simpson County
$178,746
Kentucky
$222,911
United States
$293,336
Key insights
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Household income distribution

Household income distribution by income groups — upper limits, mean incomes, and income shares in Simpson County
Distribution of household income across five equal groups
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Highest household income in each group ($)
Bottom 20% $22,308 $25,431 $33,040
Lower 20% $52,341 $49,966 $63,330
Middle 20% $73,082 $80,106 $101,088
Upper 20% $113,908 $127,452 $162,235
Top 5% threshold $210,266 $230,676 $250,001
Average household income within each group ($)
Bottom 20% $10,306 $13,051 $17,079
Lower 20% $37,492 $37,504 $48,012
Middle 20% $61,583 $64,250 $81,211
Upper 20% $91,563 $101,318 $128,012
Top 20% $178,746 $222,911 $293,336
Top 5% $279,100 $397,314 $528,428
Share of total income (%)
Bottom 20% 2.71% 2.98% 3.01%
Lower 20% 9.87% 8.54% 8.46%
Middle 20% 16.22% 14.63% 14.31%
Upper 20% 24.12% 23.08% 22.55%
Top 20% 47.08% 50.77% 51.67%
Top 5% 18.38% 22.62% 23.27%
Note:
1. All households are ranked by income from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups, each representing 20% of households.
2. Bottom 20% = the lowest-earning 20% of households; Top 20% = the highest-earning 20%.
3. The top 5% threshold is the minimum income needed to be among the highest-earning 5% of households.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by race & ethnicity
How household income levels vary across racial and ethnic groups within the area

Median Household Income · White vs. Black Households

White
Among the 6,783 White households (84.5% of all households), the median household income is $62,708.
Black
Among the 575 Black or African American households (7.2% of all households), the median household income is $53,113.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income by race and ethnicity

Median Household Income by race and Hispanic origin in Simpson County
Median household income by race and Hispanic origin, compared to the Kentucky and United States.
Simpson County Kentucky United States
All Residents $59,858 $63,726 $80,734
White $62,708 $65,934 $86,271
Black or African American $53,113 $47,105 $55,157
American Indian and Alaska Native $— $41,983 $62,420
Asian $— $84,810 $116,503
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander $— $49,536 $81,811
Some Other Race $26,364 $55,518 $67,563
Two or more races (Multiracial) $71,146 $55,512 $75,660
Hispanic or Latino $48,180 $57,597 $71,415
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Poverty

Poverty levels across the community and the groups most affected

Poverty Rate

15.5%
15.5% of residents, or 3,031 people, live below the poverty line.
% poverty rate
Simpson County
15.5%
Kentucky
16.1%
United States
12.5%
Note: The poverty rate reflects the share of the total population with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Working Poor

2.9%
2.9% of full-time, year-round workers, or 194 people, earn below the poverty line despite working full time.
% full-time workers in poverty
Simpson County
2.9%
Kentucky
3%
United States
2.3%
Note: The working poor rate measures the share of full-time, year-round civilian workers age 16+ whose income falls below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Poverty levels
How widespread poverty is within the area and how local levels compare with broader geographies

CHILD POVERTY RATE

15.8%
15.8% of children under 18, or 719 children, live below the poverty line.
Child poverty rate (%)
Simpson County
15.8%
Kentucky
20.3%
United States
16.1%
Note: Child poverty rate reflects the share of residents under age 18 with household income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

SENIOR POVERTY RATE

12.3%
12.3% of adults aged 65 and older, or 391 seniors, live below the poverty line.
Senior poverty rate (%)
Simpson County
12.3%
Kentucky
12.8%
United States
10.8%
Note: Senior poverty rate reflects the share of residents aged 65 and over with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Poverty Rates

Poverty distribution by age, sex, and work engagement
Share of population below the federal poverty level
Simpson County Kentucky United States
Overall poverty rate 15.5% 16.1% 12.5%
Poverty by age
Under 18 years 15.8% 20.3% 16.1%
Under 5 years 11.7% 22.3% 17.3%
5 to 17 years 16.9% 19.6% 15.7%
18 to 64 years 16.3% 15.4% 11.6%
18 to 34 years 19.4% 18.1% 14.2%
35 to 64 years 14.6% 13.9% 10.1%
65 years and over 12.3% 12.8% 10.8%
Poverty by sex
Male 12.8% 14.3% 11.3%
Female 18.3% 17.7% 13.6%
Poverty by work engagement
Worked full time, year-round 2.9% 3% 2.3%
Worked part time or part year 21.4% 19.1% 15%
Did not work 27.4% 26.2% 21.4%
Note:
1. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
2. Work engagement categories are based on weeks and hours worked in the prior 12 months.
Poverty by household type
How poverty rates vary across family structures and household types

Poverty by household type

18.9%
of all households are below the poverty level
poverty rate (%)
All households
18.9%
Family
11.6%
Nonfamily
31.1%
Key insights
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty among family households

11.6%
of families are below the poverty level
poverty rate (%)
All families
11.6%
Married-couple
5.7%
Other families
30.8%
Key insights
Note:
1. Married-couple families and other families are subsets of family households, which include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types are predominantly single-parent households.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty by household type

Poverty rates by household type and age of householder in Simpson County
Share of households below the federal poverty level by type and householder age
Simpson County Kentucky United States
FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS
All ages 11.6% 11.9% 8.8%
Householder under 25 years 0% 31.8% 24.6%
Householder 25 to 44 years 21.7% 15.5% 12.2%
Householder 45 to 64 years 5.8% 9.5% 6.5%
Householder 65 years and over 4.9% 7.4% 6%
NON FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS
All ages 31.1% 25% 19.4%
Householder under 25 years 69% 37.2% 35.7%
Householder 25 to 44 years 25.3% 16.2% 12.2%
Householder 45 to 64 years 27.8% 30.4% 21.7%
Householder 65 years and over 27.1% 23.3% 20%
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Householder age reflects the age of the person in whose name the housing unit is owned or rented.
4. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race & ethnicity
How poverty rates vary across racial and ethnic groups and how those differences compare locally

Poverty by race — Black vs. White

White
13.5% of White residents, or 2,222 people, live below the poverty line.
Black
23% of Black or African American residents, or 304 people, live below the poverty line.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty by race and ethnicity

Poverty rates by race and Hispanic origin in Simpson County
Share of population below the federal poverty level in Simpson County and peer geographies.
Simpson County Kentucky United States
All Residents 15.5% 16.1% 12.5%
White 13.5% 14.7% 9.7%
Black or African American 23% 24.8% 21.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0% 27.6% 21.1%
Asian 0% 12.9% 9.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% 18.7% 16.8%
Some Other Race 63.3% 24.5% 18.2%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 28.1% 21.7% 14.6%
Hispanic or Latino 38.2% 23.2% 16.7%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

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