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Carter County, KY
2 cities and towns and 6 ZIP codes in Carter County, Kentucky.
Population
26,341
Land area
409sq mi
People per sq mi
64
ZIP codes
6
Cities and towns in Carter County
Carter County at a glance
- Carter County is 44% less dense than Kentucky as a whole.
- The median household income is $51,235, 20% below the Kentucky median of $63,726.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $132,800 (35% below Kentucky) and median rent is $740 a month.
- Its largest cities are Grayson (3,778) and Olive Hill (1,636).
Local data for Carter County, KY
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Carter County, KY, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$51,235
Poverty rate
19.2%
Median home value
$132,800
Prices +0.3% in a year
Median rent
$740/mo
Homeownership
80.0%
Bachelor's or higher
15.9%
Median age
41.4
Average commute
30.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (2,986), Irish Americans (2,537), Scottish Americans (627).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
6.3%
Sep 2026, -0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$44,755
5,573 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$43,472
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$187M
FY 2026, $7,029 per person
PPP loans
$19.4M
658 loans, 3,305 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$32.6K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Carter County, KY, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone80.6%
- Carpooled11.3%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked3.3%
- Bicycle0.7%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.5%
- Worked from home3.6%
Average one-way commute: 30.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Carter County, KY, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
383
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
147
1.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 21°F
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone3 historic places
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Carter County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Carter County, KY?
- Grayson is the largest city or town in Carter County, with about 3,778 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Carter County?
- Carter County includes 6 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 41132, 41142, 41143, 41146, 41164.
- What is the population of Carter County, KY?
- About 26,341 people live in Carter County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Carter County?
- Carter County borders Boyd County, Greenup County, Rowan County, Lawrence County, Lewis County, Elliott County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023