Poverty and living standards in Owensboro, Kentucky: official figures
18.9% of residents of Owensboro (11,045 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 145th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Kentucky: 16.1%).
How many children live in poverty in Owensboro?
25.4% of children under 18 in Owensboro lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (3,511 children), 135th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; Kentucky: 20.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Owensboro?
By age, the poverty rate in Owensboro was 27.7% for children under 6 and 16.4% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Owensboro live in deep poverty?
6,638 people in Owensboro, 11.4% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 70th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Owensboro are cost-burdened?
43.6% of renting households in Owensboro spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (4,267 households), 81st lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; Kentucky: 45.4%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Owensboro spend half their income on rent?
20.7% of renting households in Owensboro spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 114th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Owensboro compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Owensboro ranks 145 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 142 | Hammond | 19.1% |
| 143 | Columbus | 19.0% |
| 144 | Eugene | 19.0% |
| 145 | Owensboro | 18.9% |
| 146 | Pasadena | 18.9% |
| 147 | Lubbock | 18.9% |
| 148 | North Miami | 18.9% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Owensboro ranks 135 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | Columbus | 25.5% |
| 133 | Apple Valley | 25.5% |
| 134 | Baltimore | 25.5% |
| 135 | Owensboro | 25.4% |
| 136 | Cleveland | 25.3% |
| 137 | Miami | 25.2% |
| 138 | Norfolk | 25.2% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Owensboro ranks 70 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | New Haven | 11.6% |
| 68 | Galveston | 11.6% |
| 69 | Berkeley | 11.6% |
| 70 | Owensboro | 11.4% |
| 71 | Wilmington | 11.4% |
| 72 | Erie | 11.4% |
| 73 | Providence | 11.3% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Owensboro ranks 743 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 740 | Enid | 43.9% |
| 741 | South Jordan | 43.7% |
| 742 | Kirkland | 43.7% |
| 743 | Owensboro | 43.6% |
| 744 | Plainfield | 43.6% |
| 745 | Lawton | 43.6% |
| 746 | Sammamish | 43.6% |
More on Owensboro: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
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