Van Lear, KY Demographics

A map of Van Lear's Population by Race

Van Lear, Kentucky has an estimated population of 443, a dramatic decrease from the 893 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.2% White, 10.2% Black, 3.6% Native American/Other, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Hispanic, and 0.0% Multiracial. This demographic dot map shows the population of Van Lear, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Van Lear has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Kentucky overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Van Lear, that probability was 7.6% in 2020 and 24.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Van Lear is ranked the 367th most populous place in Kentucky, out of 554 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Van Lear was ranked the 251st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Van Lear's White Population

382 residents of Van Lear, or 86.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Van Lear is slightly higher than in Kentucky overall, where 81.5% of the population is White. Van Lear ranks 55th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Lear's White population has declined by an estimated 55.5%. White residents' share of Van Lear's population has decreased from 96.1% to 86.2%.

Van Lear is less White than neighboring West Van Lear (95.8% White), Auxier (99.7% White), Paintsville (92.3% White), Prestonsburg (93.9% White), and Dwale (88.2% White).

Van Lear's Black Population

45 residents of Van Lear, or 10.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Van Lear is slightly higher than in Kentucky overall, where 7.6% of the population is Black. Van Lear ranks 468th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Lear's Black population has grown by an estimated 4400.0%. Black residents' share of Van Lear's population has increased from 0.1% to 10.2%.

Van Lear is more Black than neighboring West Van Lear (0% Black), Auxier (0% Black), Paintsville (0.3% Black), Prestonsburg (1.2% Black), and Dwale (0% Black).

Van Lear's Asian Population

0 residents of Van Lear, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Van Lear is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Van Lear ranks 388th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Lear's Asian population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Asian residents' share of Van Lear's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Van Lear is less Asian than neighboring West Van Lear (4.2% Asian), Paintsville (3.1% Asian), Prestonsburg (0.6% Asian), and Dwale (11.8% Asian).

Van Lear's Hispanic Population

0 residents of Van Lear, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Van Lear is slightly lower than in Kentucky overall, where 5% of the population is Hispanic. Van Lear ranks 470th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Lear's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Van Lear's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.0%.

Van Lear is less Hispanic than neighboring Paintsville (0.5% Hispanic).

Van Lear's Native American/Other Population

16 residents of Van Lear, or 3.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Van Lear is slightly higher than in Kentucky overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Van Lear ranks 165th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Lear's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 166.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Van Lear's population has increased from 0.7% to 3.6%.

Van Lear is more Native American/Other than neighboring West Van Lear (0% Native American/Other), Auxier (0% Native American/Other), Paintsville (0.3% Native American/Other), Prestonsburg (0% Native American/Other), and Dwale (0% Native American/Other).

Van Lear's Multiracial Population

0 residents of Van Lear, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Van Lear is slightly lower than in Kentucky overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Van Lear ranks 441st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Van Lear's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Van Lear's population has decreased from 2.4% to 0.0%.

Van Lear is less Multiracial than neighboring Auxier (0.3% Multiracial), Paintsville (3.4% Multiracial), and Prestonsburg (4.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.