Owenton's growth in the late 19th century was limited because a railroad was never built to it.

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 1,387 people, 615 households, and 340 families residing in the city.

There were 688 housing units at an average density of 307.8 per square mile (118.8/km2).

There were 615 households, out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families.

42.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.