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Berea, KY

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Berea, KY

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 22
Population15,557
Foreign Born1.3%
Population Density942people per mi²
Median Age34.1 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2010, this city's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
A-
Great

A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

67/100

33% below national average

A+

The Real Cost of Living in Berea, Kentucky

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $13k$24k
Comfortable $35k$51k
Luxury $93k+$144k+
Elite (Top 5%) $110k+$170k+
Affordability Ratio

111%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean86%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
15
Positive
21
Poor
4
Negative
1

Groceries

3 within 10 miles

2.1mi

Gas

16 within 10 miles

0.5mi

Hospital

5 within 20 miles

1mi

Airport

BNA — Nashville International

166.5mi

Post Office

USPS — Berea, KY

0.4mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

Nearest private club or country club.

Golf1Nearest 9.9 mi
Camping7Nearest 21 mi
Marina0 
Winery0Nearest 10.8 mi
Ice Rink0 
Gun Range1Nearest 5.3 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
D
Soft

A below-average socioeconomic profile. Incomes, home values, and educational attainment trail the U.S., with higher poverty and unemployment.

Median HHI
$56k+3.7%
25% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$291k
56% below US avg
College Educated
27.0%
23% below US avg
WFH
10.3%
28% below US avg
Homeownership
57.3%
12% below US avg
Median Home
$178k
37% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B+
Safe

Generally safer than 69% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
6.7
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−4.5%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+53.2%
Homicide
0.12 / 1k Residents362% above state avg
Robbery
0.06 / 1k Residents78% below state avg
Aggravated Assault
0.72 / 1k Residents47% below state avg

Property Crime

5yr−62.2%
Burglary
0.54 / 1k Residents66% below state avg
Larceny-Theft
3.96 / 1k Residents54% below state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
0.90 / 1k Residents50% below state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+7Leans Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Berea, Kentucky
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C+
Fair9.6% of income
Property Rights
D+
WeakIJ Grade D+
Firearm Rights
A
GreatFPC Grade A
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Importer (60% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
D-
RestrictedLimited
Gambling Laws
C+
LimitedTribal · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
C+
LimitedMedical only

Homesteading

Growing Season201 days290 frost-free
Annual Rainfall55.9"
Elevation965 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
C+
Exposed

Meaningful friction. Expect exposure to either population pressure, blast zones, or natural disaster risk. Consider buying a retreat property.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
C+
Weak591 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
C-
Weak942/sq mi
Fallout Danger
C
Weak3 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
D-
PoorInland Flooding, Tornado, Cold Wave, Strong Wind, Lightning
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 385 mi · coast 400 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$36.7M/yrfor the county

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-21T09:24:13.000Z

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