Signals
Paducah
Shawnee
Growth
28 · Bottom 17%
vs37 · Bottom 28%
Climate
73 · Top 26%
vs64 · Bottom 44%
Physical resilience
36 · Bottom 25%
vs52 · Bottom 45%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
72 · Bottom 42%
vs81 · Top 41%
Economic stability
31 · Bottom 21%
vs32 · Bottom 22%
Measured values
| Metric | Paducah | Shawnee | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,748 | 73,463 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $64,160 | $61,398 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,011 | $29,238 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 83/sq mi | 93/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $168,700 | $165,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $874 | $894 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.0% | 70.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.7% | 20.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 15.7% | 15.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 141 | 128 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.4 | 1.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -42.2% | -43.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 90°F | 93°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 27°F | 29°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 48 mi | 38 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.4 min | 26.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 43.2 | 37.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Paducah
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, strong wind, drought.
Shawnee
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, hail.
Full profiles: Paducah, KY-IL Metro Area · Shawnee, OK Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology