If you’ve read the previous blogs, you’ll know that the census isn’t just once a decade. It’s an ongoing process. Each year the Census Bureau releases data at different points during the year that cover different subject matter. 

Understanding the ACS

In January, the American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates were released. These topics are the same as the one-year estimates released in September, but the five-year estimates are considered more accurate. For the one-year estimates, there are only limited areas and a smaller number of people that can be sampled each year. For the five-year estimates, the one-year estimates for all five years are pooled together, giving us more robust information. This is not to say that the one-year estimates don’t have their value–they are considered to be more timely than the five-year estimates, which can be beneficial depending on the purpose of the data.

This year’s estimates covered the years 2020 through 2024 and pooled five years of data. Kentucky has had some wins and some declines compared to the baseline years, which comprised years 2015 through 2019.

Breaking Down Kentucky’s Data

The percentage of children living in poverty dropped between these years, by 3.2 percentage points, which is 32,000 fewer children than five years ago. Among counties that had a significant* change over time, 29 had a decrease, while seven showed an increase. Oldham County had the lowest percentage of children living in poverty at 3.7%, while Martin County had the highest rate at 48.9%.

In addition, Kentucky saw a jump in its median family income (among households with children), by nearly $20,000. Among counties that showed notable* changes, zero had a decrease and 70 showed an increase. Wolfe County had the lowest median family income among households with children at $29,391, while Oldham County had the highest at $159,003.

Unfortunately, there are fewer children under 19 covered by insurance in this year’s data. It is a difference of less than one percentage point, but it means that over 6,000 children went without health insurance. Of those counties with significant* changes, 17 showed an increase in coverage while 15 showed a decrease. Todd County had the lowest percentage of health insurance coverage among those under 19 at 75.6%, while Fulton and Owsley counties shared the highest rate at 100%.

Additionally, a smaller percentage of three- and four-year-olds in Kentucky were enrolled in school during this time frame. Between the baseline and the latest years, the number dropped from 40.7% to 36.2%. This represents nearly 5,000 three- and four-year-olds that did not benefit from an early start to their education. Of counties showing a notable* change, only one had an increase while five had a decrease. According to the latest estimates, Christian County had the lowest percentage of three- and four-year-olds enrolled in school at 17.9%, although it has one of the larger child populations. Robertson County, even though it has the smallest population, had the highest rate at 94%.

The Census and You

These are just a few of the indicators that are available from the Census each January. The Census has some of the broadest subject matter and most detailed data available in the United States, and it is easily accessible–which is why it is so important.  

Your participation in and support of Census data is essential to making life better for every Kentuckian, no matter where they live, work, or play.  You can learn more about the Census and opportunities to advocate for better data at kyyouth.org/census.

*Indicates that the changes seen are extremely unlikely to have happened by chance.