Carter County, Kentucky Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 42nd-largest in Kentucky

The population of Carter County, Kentucky is 26,515 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 42nd-largest county in Kentucky. The median household income is $50,389, the median home value is $126,100, and the median age is 41.8.

The population of Carter County has declined 5.9% since 2010 (27,739 → 26,098), a -0.43% annualized rate.

Carter County within Kentucky · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

26,515

Population

-0.43%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$50,389

Median Income

$126,100

Median Home Value

Carter County covers 409 sq mi of land at 64.8 people per square mile.

About Carter County, KY

What sets Carter County apart is where people work — remote work is unusually rare here, at 2.3% versus 14.0% nationally. Carter County is a county in Kentucky with a population of 26,515. It ranks #42 among counties in Kentucky by population.

The typical household earns $50,389, below the US median of $78,538. Roughly 16.4% of residents fall below the poverty line, above the national 12.4%. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $126,100, with typical rent around $701.

Fewer adults hold degrees here than in most comparable places — 15.4%, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is rare here (2.3%, below the national 14.0%), and the average commute runs about 29 minutes each way.

Carter County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Carter County had a population of 27,739 in 2010 and 26,098 in 2024, a -5.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 27,739 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.43%.

Carter County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

26,098

Population (2024)

27,739

Population (2010)

27,739

Peak (2010)

-0.43%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	27,739	-	-	estimate
2011	27,621	-118	-0.43%	estimate
2012	27,633	+12	+0.04%	estimate
2013	27,599	-34	-0.12%	estimate
2014	27,517	-82	-0.30%	estimate
2015	27,443	-74	-0.27%	estimate
2016	27,313	-130	-0.47%	estimate
2017	27,216	-97	-0.36%	estimate
2018	27,042	-174	-0.64%	estimate
2019	26,766	-276	-1.02%	estimate
2020	26,614	-152	-0.57%	estimate
2021	26,438	-176	-0.66%	estimate
2022	26,300	-138	-0.52%	estimate
2023	26,255	-45	-0.17%	estimate
2024	26,098	-157	-0.60%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	95.6%
Black or African American	0.5%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.8%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

41.8

Median Age

50.7%

Female

49.3%

Male

19.9%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.8%

5–9

5.4%

10–14

7.0%

15–19

6.8%

20–24

6.0%

25–34

11.3%

35–44

11.2%

45–54

13.0%

55–59

6.6%

60–64

7.0%

65–74

11.9%

75–84

6.3%

85+

1.7%

Children (under 15): 18.2% · Seniors (65+): 19.9%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$50,389$-12,028 vs state
Mean household income	$71,428
Per-capita income	$27,184
Poverty rate	16.4%+4.6% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.0%
Employment-to-population	45.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

30.4%

Construction

11.3%

Education & health care

9.7%

Manufacturing

8.4%

Retail trade

6.4%

Public administration

5.5%

Finance & real estate

4.8%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.0%

The largest employment sector in Carter County is professional & business services, accounting for 30.4% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

3.8%

Carpool

81.0%

Public transit

2.3%

Work from home

28.6 min

Avg commute

Housing

$126,100$-66,200 vs state

Median home value

$701

Median rent

78.4%

Homeownership rate

12,283

Total housing units

84.4%

Occupied

15.6%

Vacant

21.6%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

91.6%

With health insurance

85.5%

With broadband internet

26.1%

Foreign-born

7.1%

Veterans (18+)

21.5%

With a disability

98.9%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

82.8%

High School+

15.4%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Kentucky

Louisville/Jefferson County (627,210)Lexington-Fayette (321,122)Bowling Green (73,638)Owensboro (60,112)Covington (40,902)Georgetown (38,206)Richmond (35,498)Florence (32,334)Elizabethtown (31,870)Nicholasville (31,625)All Kentucky cities →

Other counties in Kentucky

Jefferson County (777,392)Fayette County (321,122)Kenton County (169,817)Boone County (137,676)Warren County (137,549)Hardin County (111,452)Daviess County (103,195)Madison County (94,064)Campbell County (93,193)Bullitt County (83,209)All Kentucky counties →

Part of Kentucky

Kentucky demographic profile All Kentucky data →

Metro areas in Kentucky

Cincinnati (2,255,257)Louisville/Jefferson County (1,361,847)Lexington (517,378)Huntington (372,801)Clarksville (328,626)Bowling Green (183,194)Elizabethtown (126,480)Owensboro (112,322)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Carter County, Kentucky has a population of 26,515 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 42nd-largest county in Kentucky. Population density is 65 people per square mile.

The population of Carter County has declined 5.9% since 2010 (27,739 → 26,098), a -0.43% annualized rate.

The median household income in Carter County, Kentucky is $50,389, with mean (average) household income of $71,428 and per-capita income of $27,184. 16.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Carter County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (95.6%), Hispanic or Latino (0.8%), Black or African American (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Carter County, Kentucky is 41.8 years. Residents are 50.7% female and 49.3% male.

The median home value in Carter County is $126,100 and median monthly rent is $701. 78.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 12,283 total housing units, 15.6% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Carter County, Kentucky is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 30.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.0%.

Louisville/Jefferson County is among the largest cities associated with Carter County, Kentucky, with a population of 627,210.