Leslie County, Kentucky Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 99th-largest in Kentucky

The population of Leslie County, Kentucky is 10,261 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 99th-largest county in Kentucky. The median household income is $40,176, the median home value is $74,100, and the median age is 42.2.

The population of Leslie County has declined 13.7% since 2010 (11,278 → 9,729), a -1.05% annualized rate.

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

10,261

Population

-1.05%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$40,176

Median Income

$74,100

Median Home Value

Leslie County covers 401 sq mi of land at 25.6 people per square mile.

About Leslie County, KY

Leslie County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 7.8% of the population. Leslie County is a county in Kentucky with a population of 10,261.

Household earnings sit near the bottom of the range at $40,176, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty is among the highest of comparable US counties: 18.0%, above the national 12.4%. Housing costs are among the lowest of comparable places: a median home value of $74,100, with typical rent around $520.

Four-year-degree attainment is near the bottom of the range for US counties, 10.4%, below the national 35.0%. Just 5.0% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 36 minutes each way.

Leslie County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Leslie County had a population of 11,278 in 2010 and 9,729 in 2024, a -13.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 11,278 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -1.03%.

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

9,729

Population (2024)

11,278

Population (2010)

11,278

Peak (2010)

-1.03%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	11,278	-	-	estimate
2011	11,241	-37	-0.33%	estimate
2012	11,147	-94	-0.84%	estimate
2013	10,995	-152	-1.36%	estimate
2014	10,841	-154	-1.40%	estimate
2015	10,655	-186	-1.72%	estimate
2016	10,431	-224	-2.10%	estimate
2017	10,323	-108	-1.04%	estimate
2018	10,135	-188	-1.82%	estimate
2019	9,880	-255	-2.52%	estimate
2020	10,471	+591	+5.98%	estimate
2021	10,284	-187	-1.79%	estimate
2022	10,044	-240	-2.33%	estimate
2023	9,865	-179	-1.78%	estimate
2024	9,729	-136	-1.38%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	96.9%
Black or African American	0.5%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.3%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

42.2

Median Age

50.1%

Female

49.9%

Male

18.8%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.1%

5–9

5.0%

10–14

7.2%

15–19

5.2%

20–24

6.5%

25–34

10.0%

35–44

15.4%

45–54

11.8%

55–59

7.4%

60–64

7.7%

65–74

11.7%

75–84

5.4%

85+

1.7%

Children (under 15): 17.3% · Seniors (65+): 18.8%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$40,176$-22,241 vs state
Mean household income	$53,558
Per-capita income	$22,942
Poverty rate	18.0%+6.2% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.3%
Employment-to-population	41.6%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

26.8%

Manufacturing

13.4%

Agriculture

11.4%

Retail trade

9.8%

Public administration

9.8%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.8%

Education & health care

4.0%

Finance & real estate

2.8%

The largest employment sector in Leslie County is professional & business services, accounting for 26.8% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

0.3%

Carpool

86.4%

Public transit

5.0%

Work from home

35.8 min

Avg commute

Housing

$74,100$-118,200 vs state

Median home value

$520

Median rent

82.6%

Homeownership rate

4,913

Total housing units

79.6%

Occupied

20.4%

Vacant

17.4%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

97.8%

With health insurance

80.7%

With broadband internet

7.8%

Foreign-born

3.6%

Veterans (18+)

30.0%

With a disability

98.7%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

81.4%

High School+

10.4%

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

Leslie County, Kentucky has a population of 10,261 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 99th-largest county in Kentucky. Population density is 26 people per square mile.

The population of Leslie County has declined 13.7% since 2010 (11,278 → 9,729), a -1.05% annualized rate.

The median household income in Leslie County, Kentucky is $40,176, with mean (average) household income of $53,558 and per-capita income of $22,942. 18.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Leslie County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (96.9%), Hispanic or Latino (1.3%), 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 Leslie County, Kentucky is 42.2 years. Residents are 50.1% female and 49.9% male.

The median home value in Leslie County is $74,100 and median monthly rent is $520. 82.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 4,913 total housing units, 20.4% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Leslie County, Kentucky is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 26.8% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.3%.

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