Nelson County, Kentucky Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 22nd-largest in Kentucky

The population of Nelson County, Kentucky is 47,102 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 22nd-largest county in Kentucky. The median household income is $67,888, the median home value is $224,100, and the median age is 39.7.

The population of Nelson County has grown 11.6% since 2010 (43,626 → 48,706), a +0.79% annualized rate.

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

47,102

Population

+0.79%

Annual growth

112

People / sq mi

$67,888

Median Income

$224,100

Median Home Value

Nelson County covers 419 sq mi of land at 112.5 people per square mile.

About Nelson County, KY

Nelson County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 17.1% of the population. With 47,102 residents, Nelson County is a county in Kentucky. It ranks #22 among counties in Kentucky by population.

Median household income is $67,888, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 7.5%, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $224,100, with typical rent around $932.

Degree attainment is mid-range for US counties: 22.8% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. Just 5.4% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 26 minutes each way.

Nelson County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Nelson County had a population of 43,626 in 2010 and 48,706 in 2024, a 11.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 48,706 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.79%.

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

48,706

Population (2024)

43,626

Population (2010)

48,706

Peak (2024)

0.79%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	43,626	-	-	estimate
2011	44,060	+434	+0.99%	estimate
2012	44,401	+341	+0.77%	estimate
2013	44,541	+140	+0.32%	estimate
2014	44,861	+320	+0.72%	estimate
2015	45,119	+258	+0.58%	estimate
2016	45,517	+398	+0.88%	estimate
2017	45,606	+89	+0.20%	estimate
2018	45,781	+175	+0.38%	estimate
2019	46,221	+440	+0.96%	estimate
2020	46,779	+558	+1.21%	estimate
2021	47,135	+356	+0.76%	estimate
2022	47,429	+294	+0.62%	estimate
2023	47,981	+552	+1.16%	estimate
2024	48,706	+725	+1.51%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	90.8%
Black or African American	5.3%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.1%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

39.7

Median Age

49.9%

Female

50.1%

Male

16.9%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.0%

5–9

6.8%

10–14

6.4%

15–19

6.3%

20–24

5.8%

25–34

12.9%

35–44

12.0%

45–54

13.1%

55–59

6.5%

60–64

7.5%

65–74

10.6%

75–84

4.4%

85+

1.9%

Children (under 15): 19.2% · Seniors (65+): 16.9%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$67,888+$5,471 vs state
Mean household income	$85,121
Per-capita income	$33,257
Poverty rate	7.5%-4.3% vs state
Unemployment rate	1.9%
Employment-to-population	59.8%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

23.2%

Manufacturing

22.9%

Construction

7.4%

Education & health care

6.1%

Retail trade

6.0%

Finance & real estate

5.8%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.4%

Public administration

4.3%

The largest employment sector in Nelson County is professional & business services, accounting for 23.2% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

1.3%

Carpool

84.6%

Public transit

5.4%

Work from home

25.8 min

Avg commute

Housing

$224,100+$31,800 vs state

Median home value

$932

Median rent

77.3%

Homeownership rate

20,062

Total housing units

93.6%

Occupied

6.4%

Vacant

22.7%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.9%

With health insurance

94.4%

With broadband internet

17.1%

Foreign-born

8.0%

Veterans (18+)

15.1%

With a disability

97.0%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

91.9%

High School+

22.8%

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

Nelson County, Kentucky has a population of 47,102 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 22nd-largest county in Kentucky. Population density is 112 people per square mile.

The population of Nelson County has grown 11.6% since 2010 (43,626 → 48,706), a +0.79% annualized rate.

The median household income in Nelson County, Kentucky is $67,888, with mean (average) household income of $85,121 and per-capita income of $33,257. 7.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Nelson County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (90.8%), Black or African American (5.3%), Hispanic or Latino (1.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Nelson County, Kentucky is 39.7 years. Residents are 49.9% female and 50.1% male.

The median home value in Nelson County is $224,100 and median monthly rent is $932. 77.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 20,062 total housing units, 6.4% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Nelson County, Kentucky is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 23.2% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.9%.

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