Fayette County, Kentucky Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 2nd-largest in Kentucky

The population of Fayette County, Kentucky is 321,122 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 2nd-largest county in Kentucky. The median household income is $67,631, the median home value is $272,100, and the median age is 35.2.

The population of Fayette County has grown 11.0% since 2010 (296,868 → 329,437), a +0.75% annualized rate.

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

321,122

Population

+0.75%

Annual growth

1131

People / sq mi

$67,631

Median Income

$272,100

Median Home Value

Fayette County covers 284 sq mi of land at 1131.3 people per square mile.

About Fayette County, KY

Fayette County is a county in Kentucky with a population of 321,122. It ranks #2 among counties in Kentucky by population. The median age is 35.2, younger than the national median. The population is 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

The median household income in Fayette County is $67,631, below the US median of $74,580. 9.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $272,100, with monthly rent averaging $1,101. The homeownership rate of 53.6% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Fayette County reflects 47.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 10.9% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 20.8 minutes each way.

Fayette County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Fayette County had a population of 296,868 in 2010 and 329,437 in 2024, a 11.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 329,437 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.75%.

329,437

Population (2024)

296,868

Population (2010)

329,437

Peak (2024)

0.75%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	296,868	-	-	estimate
2011	301,766	+4,898	+1.65%	estimate
2012	306,062	+4,296	+1.42%	estimate
2013	310,025	+3,963	+1.29%	estimate
2014	311,992	+1,967	+0.63%	estimate
2015	316,079	+4,087	+1.31%	estimate
2016	318,190	+2,111	+0.67%	estimate
2017	321,554	+3,364	+1.06%	estimate
2018	322,597	+1,043	+0.32%	estimate
2019	323,922	+1,325	+0.41%	estimate
2020	322,628	-1,294	-0.40%	estimate
2021	320,431	-2,197	-0.68%	estimate
2022	321,505	+1,074	+0.34%	estimate
2023	324,624	+3,119	+0.97%	estimate
2024	329,437	+4,813	+1.48%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	69.9%
Black or African American	14.4%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.0%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

35.2

Median Age

50.8%

Female

49.2%

Male

14.4%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.7%

5–9

5.8%

10–14

5.9%

15–19

7.1%

20–24

10.1%

25–34

15.0%

35–44

13.1%

45–54

11.6%

55–59

5.3%

60–64

5.9%

65–74

8.8%

75–84

4.2%

85+

1.4%

Children (under 15): 17.4% · Seniors (65+): 14.4%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$67,631+$5,214 vs state
Mean household income	$98,429
Per-capita income	$42,272
Poverty rate	9.4%-2.4% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.4%
Employment-to-population	64.5%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

29.7%

Finance & real estate

12.4%

Manufacturing

9.6%

Education & health care

9.3%

Information

5.0%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.9%

Construction

4.8%

Retail trade

4.7%

The largest employment sector in Fayette County is professional & business services, accounting for 29.7% of workers.

How residents commute

1.3%

Drive alone

3.0%

Carpool

74.8%

Public transit

10.9%

Work from home

20.8 min

Avg commute

Housing

$272,100+$79,800 vs state

Median home value

$1,101

Median rent

53.6%

Homeownership rate

147,720

Total housing units

93.3%

Occupied

6.7%

Vacant

46.4%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

93.2%

With health insurance

96.2%

With broadband internet

30.1%

Foreign-born

5.5%

Veterans (18+)

12.8%

With a disability

85.1%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

92.4%

High School+

47.3%

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)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)Christian County (72,599)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

Fayette County, Kentucky has a population of 321,122 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 2nd-largest county in Kentucky. Population density is 1131 people per square mile.

The population of Fayette County has grown 11.0% since 2010 (296,868 → 329,437), a +0.75% annualized rate.

The median household income in Fayette County, Kentucky is $67,631, with mean (average) household income of $98,429 and per-capita income of $42,272. 9.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Fayette County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (69.9%), Black or African American (14.4%), Hispanic or Latino (1.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Fayette County, Kentucky is 35.2 years. Residents are 50.8% female and 49.2% male.

The median home value in Fayette County is $272,100 and median monthly rent is $1,101. 53.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 147,720 total housing units, 6.7% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Fayette County, Kentucky is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 29.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.4%.

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