Estill County, Kentucky Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 77th-largest in Kentucky

The population of Estill County, Kentucky is 14,079 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 77th-largest county in Kentucky. The median household income is $43,905, the median home value is $111,900, and the median age is 44.3.

The population of Estill County has declined 4.9% since 2010 (14,722 → 14,002), a -0.36% annualized rate.

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

14,079

Population

-0.36%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$43,905

Median Income

$111,900

Median Home Value

Estill County covers 253 sq mi of land at 55.6 people per square mile.

About Estill County, KY

Educational attainment is the headline number in Estill County: 9.9% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 14,079 residents, Estill County is a county in Kentucky.

Incomes are among the lowest of comparable places, with a median household income of $43,905, below the US median of $78,538. Roughly 16.8% of residents fall below the poverty line, above the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $111,900, with typical rent around $689.

College credentials are comparatively rare here: just 9.9%, below the national 35.0%. Just 4.3% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 35 minutes each way.

Estill County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Estill County had a population of 14,722 in 2010 and 14,002 in 2024, a -4.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 14,722 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.36%.

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

14,002

Population (2024)

14,722

Population (2010)

14,722

Peak (2010)

-0.36%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	14,722	-	-	estimate
2011	14,662	-60	-0.41%	estimate
2012	14,512	-150	-1.02%	estimate
2013	14,492	-20	-0.14%	estimate
2014	14,451	-41	-0.28%	estimate
2015	14,381	-70	-0.48%	estimate
2016	14,332	-49	-0.34%	estimate
2017	14,186	-146	-1.02%	estimate
2018	14,164	-22	-0.16%	estimate
2019	14,143	-21	-0.15%	estimate
2020	14,160	+17	+0.12%	estimate
2021	14,083	-77	-0.54%	estimate
2022	13,994	-89	-0.63%	estimate
2023	13,937	-57	-0.41%	estimate
2024	14,002	+65	+0.47%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	96.4%
Black or African American	0.1%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.7%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

44.3

Median Age

50.2%

Female

49.8%

Male

19.4%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.0%

5–9

6.6%

10–14

5.5%

15–19

5.0%

20–24

5.7%

25–34

11.4%

35–44

11.6%

45–54

14.5%

55–59

7.2%

60–64

8.0%

65–74

11.6%

75–84

5.8%

85+

2.0%

Children (under 15): 17.1% · Seniors (65+): 19.4%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$43,905$-18,512 vs state
Mean household income	$57,737
Per-capita income	$24,142
Poverty rate	16.8%+5.0% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.4%
Employment-to-population	44.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Manufacturing

25.6%

Professional & business services

20.3%

Construction

7.7%

Finance & real estate

7.7%

Retail trade

6.9%

Public administration

6.9%

Education & health care

3.3%

Arts, entertainment & food

3.2%

The largest employment sector in Estill County is manufacturing, accounting for 25.6% of workers.

How residents commute

0.1%

Drive alone

4.4%

Carpool

73.8%

Public transit

4.3%

Work from home

34.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$111,900$-80,400 vs state

Median home value

$689

Median rent

72.4%

Homeownership rate

6,847

Total housing units

86.2%

Occupied

13.8%

Vacant

27.6%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

93.8%

With health insurance

84.6%

With broadband internet

12.3%

Foreign-born

5.6%

Veterans (18+)

26.3%

With a disability

98.2%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

78.1%

High School+

9.9%

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

Estill County, Kentucky has a population of 14,079 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 77th-largest county in Kentucky. Population density is 56 people per square mile.

The population of Estill County has declined 4.9% since 2010 (14,722 → 14,002), a -0.36% annualized rate.

The median household income in Estill County, Kentucky is $43,905, with mean (average) household income of $57,737 and per-capita income of $24,142. 16.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Estill County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (96.4%), Hispanic or Latino (0.7%), Black or African American (0.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Estill County, Kentucky is 44.3 years. Residents are 50.2% female and 49.8% male.

The median home value in Estill County is $111,900 and median monthly rent is $689. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 6,847 total housing units, 13.8% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Estill County, Kentucky is manufacturing, employing 25.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.4%.

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