Horse Cave, KY demographics:
population, income, and more

Total population
2,143
-8.7% year-over-year change
Median household income
$51,118/yr
-1.6% year-over-year change
Housing units
1,111
-9.6% year-over-year change

Horse Cave population

How many people live in Horse Cave

Horse Cave is home to 2,143 residents, according to the most recent Census data. Gender-wise, 48.3% of Horse Cave locals are male, and 51.7% are female.

Total population
2,143
-8.7% year-over-year change
Gender ratio
Male
48.3%
1,035
Female
51.7%
1,108
Value Percent YoY change
Male 1,035 48.3% -8.9%
Female 1,108 51.7% -8.6%
A higher population often means more rental variety and livelier areas. The gender balance—how many men live here compared to women—can reveal a lot about the community and the lifestyles of its residents. Use this info to get a sense of the area's pace and personality.

Age demographics

The median age in Horse Cave is 48, with the population distributed as follows: about 14.9% are children under 15, then 6.4% are in the 15 to 24 age group. Adults between 25 and 44 make up 25.6% of the population, while another 28.7% fall into the 45 to 64 bracket. Finally, around 24.4% are 65 or older.

Median age
48.2
Age breakdown
Under 15
14.9%
15 to 24
6.4%
25 to 44
25.6%
45 to 64
28.7%
Over 65
24.4%
Value Percent YoY change
Under 15 320 14.9% -5.3%
15 to 24 137 6.4% -29.4%
25 to 44 548 25.6% -6.5%
45 to 64 616 28.7% -14.3%
Over 65 522 24.4% 2.1%
The age composition helps you get insight into who lives in the area. A younger population might mean a more active, fast-paced vibe, while an older one could suggest a quieter, slower lifestyle. If there's a balanced makeup, you’re likely to find a variety of services, housing types, and community spaces that cater to different life stages.

Racial makeup

In Horse Cave, 96.4% of the population are US-born citizens, while 3.4% have gained naturalized citizenship. At the same time, 0.2% of residents are non-citizens. As for race, 73.7% of locals are Caucasian, 16% are African American and 1.3% have Asian roots. There’s also a share of 9% that includes residents with two or more races.

Citizenship
U.S.-born citizens
96.4%
Non-U.S.-born citizens
3.4%
Non-citizens
0.2%
Value Percent YoY change
U.S.-born citizens 2,065 96.4% -9.5%
Non-U.S.-born citizens 74 3.4% 10.4%
Non-citizens 4 0.2% N/A
Racial breakdown
White
73.7%
Black or African American
16%
American Indian and Alaska Native
0%
Asian
1.3%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
9%
Other
0%
Value Percent
White 1,580 73.7%
Black or African American 342 16%
Asian 28 1.3%
Two or more races 193 9%

Households in Horse Cave

A peek inside Horse Cave households

Horse Cave has 944 households, with an average of 2 members in each. Of these, 59.8% are families, while the remaining 40.2% are made up of individuals living alone or with non-relatives, such as roommates.

Households stats

Total households
944
-10.3% year-over-year change
Average people per household
2
Non-family households
379
Family households
565
Value Percent YoY change
Non-family households 379 40.2% -17.6%
Family households 565 59.8% -4.7%
The mix between family and non-family households gives a glimpse into daily life. A higher percentage of families might mean more parks and schools, while more non-family setups can mean flexible housing and diverse living styles. For renters, this can signal what kinds of homes are common and can help you figure out if the area matches your lifestyle.

Housing in Horse Cave

The housing landscape of Horse Cave

Horse Cave's housing consists of 1,111 units, with 64.6% being detached single-family homes ideal for those wanting space. Then there are the multifamily buildings in the area, and for those seeking flexibility, non-traditional options like mobile homes account for 3.7% of the housing landscape.

Housing units
1,111
-9.6% year-over-year change
Housing types
Value Percent
1 unit, detached 718 64.6%
2 units 123 11.1%
3 or 4 units 84 7.6%
5 to 9 units 108 9.7%
10 to 19 units 8 0.7%
20 to 49 units 29 2.6%
Mobile home 41 3.7%
Homes built since 2020
9
80.0% year-over-year change

The age of buildings in Horse Cave

In Horse Cave, the median construction year is 1971. About 14.1% of homes were built before the 1940s, with another 6.2% going up by 1949. Most development happened in the second half of the 20th century. Then, 5.7% of homes were added from 2000 to 2009, 5.4% between 2010 and 2019, and 0.8% are part of the newest wave of development.

Construction year breakdown by decade
Value Percent YoY change
Built in 1939 or earlier 157 14.1% -12.8%
Built between 1940 and 1949 69 6.2% 72.5%
Built between 1950 and 1959 184 16.6% -15.2%
Built between 1960 and 1969 132 11.9% -34.3%
Built between 1970 and 1979 161 14.5% 3.9%
Built between 1980 and 1989 129 11.6% -19.4%
Built between 1990 and 1999 147 13.2% -5.8%
Built between 2000 and 2009 63 5.7% -3.1%
Built between 2010 and 2019 60 5.4% 20.0%
Built in 2020 or later 9 0.8% 80.0%
As a renter, knowing when homes were built helps you understand the potential condition and design of rental units. Newer builds may have more contemporary layouts, while older homes can offer character or larger lots, depending on the area.

Horse Cave occupancy rates

Out of the 944 occupied housing units in Horse Cave, 53.5% are owner-occupied, while 46.5% are lived in by tenants. Meanwhile, 15% of all homes on the local market sit vacant.

Occupied housing units
944
-10.3% year-over-year change
Occupancy breakdown
Renter occupied
439
Owner occupied
505
Value Percent YoY
change
Renter occupied 439 46.5% 15.5%
Owner occupied 505 53.5% -25.0%
Unoccupied housing units
15.0%
Unoccupied housing units refer to homes that are currently without residents—whether they're waiting for renters or owners, used seasonally, or simply unclaimed. A higher share of empty homes may mean more housing availability, while a low number can reflect a tighter market with more competition. This, along with the renter-vs.-owner mix, helps paint a clearer picture of what types of housing and services are likely to be available in the area.

Horse Cave housing costs

Housing costs in Horse Cave come to a median of $634 per month, while tenants specifically pay a median gross rent of $651.

Median housing costs per month
$634/month
This figure sums up typical monthly housing costs for all households in the area. If you own, it includes mortgage payments in addition to property taxes, insurance and HOA fees. If you rent, it accounts for rent plus extras like utilities. It’s useful for seeing how local living expenses stack up compared to other places.
Median gross rent in Horse Cave
$651/month
Gross rent gives a more complete look at what renters actually pay, including not just base rent, but also utilities and fees. It’s a key number for evaluating rental affordability in your area of interest and understanding how it compares to nearby locations.

Education in Horse Cave

Horse Cave education at a glance

About 62.4% of the population in Horse Cave went to high school, while 14.6% pursued college studies. Another 7.8% earned an associate degree and 4.5% hold a bachelor’s. Meanwhile, 4% went even further, earning a master’s or doctorate.

Education level
Value Percent YoY change
No high school 117 6.6% 15.8%
High school diploma 1,104 62.4% -8.2%
College diploma 259 14.6% -16.4%
Associate degree 138 7.8% -6.1%
Bachelor's degree 79 4.5% -9.2%
Graduate degree 71 4% -14.5%
A community’s education mix can offer insights into the local economy and housing market. Higher levels of education often align with more job opportunities and stable incomes, which can increase demand for homes and influence both rent prices and rental availability.

Income in Horse Cave

How much people earn in Horse Cave

The average annual household income in Horse Cave was $52,425 in 2024, the most recent annual data available, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This marked a -5% change from the previous year. At the same time, the median income stood at $51,118, reflecting a -1.6% shift over the same period.

Average household income in Horse Cave
$52,425/year
-5.0% year-over-year change
Median household income in Horse Cave
$51,118/year
-1.6% year-over-year change

Horse Cave income by age

In Horse Cave, households led by residents aged 25 to 44 — usually in the early to mid stages of their careers — have a median income of $47,222. Those with someone between 45 and 64 in charge, often well established professionally, earn $67,784 overall. Overall, 65.4% of the locals in this community live above the poverty line.

Income breakdown by age
Value YoY change
25 - 44 $47,222 2.1%
45 - 64 $67,784 -7.5%
Over 65 $33,250 -20.7%
Above poverty level
1,304
Below poverty level
691
Value Percent YoY
change
Above poverty level 1,304 65.4% -18.1%
Below poverty level 691 34.6% 16.9%

Average renter income in Horse Cave

To get a better sense of what renters earn on average in Horse Cave, their median household income was $30,729 according to 2022 Census data. In addition, the rent-to-income ratio in the area, at 25.4%, shows what portion of their earnings goes toward housing expenses.

Renter median household income
$30,729
Rent-to-income ratio
25.4%
Understanding the rent-to-income ratio can help renters gauge if local housing costs align with their earnings. A ratio under 30% usually signals affordability, while exceeding this mark means rent is taking a larger-than-recommended bite out of income. That could make it harder for you to cover other costs like transportation, healthcare, or child care.

Employment in Horse Cave

Workforce and job types in Horse Cave

The job market in Horse Cave is powered by 611 working residents, spread across a range of industries and roles. 48.9% of the working population are employed in professional or administrative positions, while 51.1% are in hands-on or service-based jobs. Also, 7.2% run their own businesses, 74.8% are employed by private companies, and 9.8% work in the public sector.

Workforce demographics

Working population
611
-21.5% year-over-year change
White collar
299
Blue collar
312
Value Percent YoY change
White collar 299 48.9% -29.3%
Blue collar 312 51.1% -12.1%
Employer type
Self employees
7.2%
Private companies
74.8%
Governmental workers
9.8%
Not for profit companies
8.2%
Value Percent YoY change
Self employees 44 7.2% -8.3%
Private companies 457 74.8% -15.8%
Governmental workers 60 9.8% -40.6%
Not for profit companies 50 8.2% -41.9%
Unemployment rate
5.1%
-47.6% year-over-year change

Available workforce

The unemployment rate in Horse Cave stands at 5.1%, representing the share of the workforce currently without a job and actively looking for one.

For renters, the unemployment rate helps paint a picture of job security and financial stability in the area. Rates around 4% to 5% are considered typical. A lower-than-average rate might suggest strong job prospects and a thriving local economy, while a higher rate could hint at fewer opportunities—both useful to consider when planning a move.

Transportation in Horse Cave

How people get around in Horse Cave

Commuting methods vary: 93.3% of residents travel by personal vehicle and 1.8% prefer to walk, while the remaining share relies on public transit or on two wheelers to get from A to B.

Means of transportation
Value Percent YoY change
Car 555 93.3% -19.7%
Walk 11 1.8% -31.2%
Understanding how locals get to work can help you plan your own routine. High car usage might mean you’ll need a vehicle, while strong public transit or walkability could save you the hassle. Commute times also play a big role in quality of life—shorter trips can give you more time for the things you enjoy.

What is the median and average household income in Horse Cave by zipcode?

Zipcode Population Number of households Median income Average income
42749 4,423 1,894 $45,500 $62,063

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FAQs about Horse Cave demographics 

What is the total population of Horse Cave?

Horse Cave has a total population of 2,143 residents, according to the latest release from the U.S. Census Bureau: the 2019-2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. This figure changed by -8.7% compared to a year ago.

What is the gender ratio in Horse Cave?

The gender ratio in Horse Cave is as follows:
  • 48.3% males (1,035 residents)
  • 51.7% females (1,108 residents)

What is the median age in Horse Cave?

The median age in Horse Cave is 48.2.

What is the age distribution of the population in Horse Cave?

The age distribution in Horse Cave is as follows:
  • Under 15: 14.9% (320 residents)
  • Ages 15-24: 6.4% (137 residents)
  • Ages 25-44: 25.6% (548 residents)
  • Ages 45-64: 28.7% (616 residents)
  • Over 65: 24.4% (522 residents)

What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Horse Cave?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Horse Cave is as follows:
  • White: 73.7% (1,580 residents)
  • Black or African American: 16% (342 residents)
  • American Indian and Alaska Native: 0% (0 residents)
  • Asian: 1.3% (28 residents)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0% (0 residents)
  • Two or More Races: 9% (193 residents)
  • Other: 0% (0 residents)

What percentage of the population in Horse Cave are U.S.-born citizens?

U.S.-born citizens represent 96.4% of the population in Horse Cave.

How many housing units are there in Horse Cave?

There are 1,111 housing units in Horse Cave, reflecting a -9.6% change compared to the previous year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

How many households are in Horse Cave and what is the average household size?

Horse Cave has a total of 944 households, with an average of 2 people in each.

What is the median household income in Horse Cave?

Horse Cave has a median household income of $51,118, representing a -1.6% shift from the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What is the employment rate and job market overview for Horse Cave?

The employment rate is 94.9% in Horse Cave, with a workforce of 611 residents. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the local job market:

Job types:
  • White-collar workers: 48.9% (299 residents)
  • Blue-collar workers: 51.1% (312 residents)

Places of employment:
  • Self-employed: 7.2% (44 residents)
  • Private companies: 74.8% (457 residents)
  • Governmental workers: 9.8% (60 residents)
  • Not-for-profit companies: 8.2% (50 residents)

Data source & methodology

The demographic data on this page was sourced from the latest U.S. Census Bureau release—the 2019–2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.

The information, issued annually, is compiled and published by the Point2Homes Research Team as soon as new data becomes available.

No representation, guarantee, or warranty is made concerning the accuracy or completeness of modified or aggregated information for particular areas.

Page last updated: September 2025